Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

After stepping out of the cab, she transferred a hundred bucks to the driver via her phone.

The driver, sensing her sour mood, plastered a grin on his face. "Miss, if you're feeling down, maybe I can help lighten the mood?"

Carol stiffened, the creepiness of his offer washing over her. She backed away hastily, not even bothering to pop open her

umbrella. She was already drenched to the bone—what was a little more rain?

The sound of the downpour mingled with the driver's chuckling as it hammered against her ears.

She quickened her pace and entered her apartment building, which was cheap and consequently lacked proper security. The driver

followed her, probably assuming she had no one to turn to since her phone call earlier seemed merely to embolden herself.

The dangers a woman faced alone were often beyond imagination.

Carol made a beeline for a nearby 24-hour convenience store, where a dozen others had taken refuge from the storm. The cabbie,

seeing the crowd, finally cursed under his breath and left.

Standing in the store, Carol was soaked despite the umbrella in her hand.

The other customers stared at her, wondering why she hadn't used it.

Too scared to head back alone, she settled into the most secluded corner she could find.

She sneezed again, the chill seeping into her bones.

Meanwhile, Felix had arrived at the hospital, oblivious to the rain, his mind consumed with thoughts of Listina waking up.

Entering her room, he saw her eyes were indeed open, though she couldn't speak yet.

"Listina," he rasped, grabbing her hand urgently.

The doctor, checking her vitals, spoke evenly, "She'll be up in a few days, but this isn't a good sign. She's hanging on by meds;

surgery's needed. Mr. Brown, you need to decide soon."

Felix pressed her hand to his cheek.

Knowing the couple's closeness, the doctor sighed, "Ms. Geo called for you when she awoke. Visit more often, Mr. Brown; it could

help."

here," Felix promised, never taking his eyes off Listina, as if he'd miss

storm raged on outside, rain pelting the windows,

didn't thought of

hospital bed all night, and the next morning he had to go to work

the really threw in the

of the year.

up. If her brain tumor worsened, Listina would

to

seemed that he had left the

she go

to his place, cooked up two dishes, and took them to Carol's

had coughed through the night, alone and fearful, scared the stalking

might appear.

so she relied on multiple cups of hot water to

sense of

Felix several

so important

couldn't

and was startled by

blanket, she peered out to

his work uniform, exuding a sunny vibe,

"Carol, have you eaten?"

gentle

changed his shoes, and touched her flushed

She looked away.

set the food aside, lifted her chin, and kissed

pushed him

want

let it be," he murmured, closing the

melted; she almost

ten-minute kiss, Felix opened the food

"I made you breakfast."

dark circles under his eyes.

your

"Is everything okay now?"

it was a