Chapter 1 I Will Marry the Comatose Patient
I contracted AIDS while in Africa.
My mother struggled a lot living with the hurtful rumors and gossip. One day, she jumped into the river and ended her life.
At my lowest point, Hugh Laperra–the man who had secretly loved me for years–stepped forward. He found the best doctors for me and never
once gave up on my treatment.
We dated for eight years. Sadly, for all those years, I had to stay in the hospital.
Every time my condition took a turn for the worse, Hugh paid for my emergency treatment. He really did all he can to keep me alive.
The last time I was pushed into the ICU, he proposed in front of everyone. He told me that if I survived, he would marry me.
I was finally discharged a month later. That was when I overheard him speaking with his close friend.
“Hugh, how could you do this? She’s been bedridden because Gwendolyn didn’t sterilize the needle back then!
“You’ve hide this from Eleanor for all these years. And now that she’s finally recovering, you’re planning to let Gwendolyn stand in as the bride next week? What are you thinking?”
I stood there in shock, unable to move.
I thought Hugh was my salvation. But he was actually the one who had dragged me into hell.
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Chapter 1 I Will Marry the Comatose Patient
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and finally typed out a reply.
“I will marry the Mancini family’s comatose son.”
***
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“Eleanor has AIDS. Most people would keep their distance, let alone marry her,” Hugh said coldly.
“Over the past eight years, I’ve spent a fortune on her treatment. That should be more than enough to atone for Gwen’s mistake.”
Hugh scoffed in disdain.
“But no matter what, it was Gwendolyn who caused her illness! Eleanor has been waiting so long to marry you. How can you let Gwendolyn take her place now? She gave you everything. How can you keep hurting her like this?”
“If I don’t hurt Eleanor, Gwen will be heartbroken! She’s dreamed of marrying me since childhood. A wedding isn’t that much to ask for. I’d do anything for Gwendolyn. Don’t worry about the wedding–it’s all taken care of.”
I stood frozen outside the door, chill running through my entire body. I covered my mouth tightly, forcing myself not to rush in and confront him.
During that trip to Africa, I got drunk one night and woke up in a stranger’s bed. That night left me infected with AIDS.
For eight years, I endured the gossip, the pain, and the slow decay of my health. It was too much to take. It drove my mother to take her own life and made me turn into someone I can barely recognize.
All this time, I truly believed Hugh was my saving grace. However, now I see the truth–everything he did was never for me. It was all for another
woman.
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Chapter 1 I Will Marry the Comatose Patient
288 (Vouchers
“Gwen just made a small mistake back then. It’s not worth sacrificing my whole life over something like that.”
The conversation inside the house continued.
My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes.
“So, his lover’s life is precious, but mine is worthless, huh?”
Finally, I steeled myself and replied to that message I had left unanswered for so long.
“I will marry the Mancini family’s comatose son.”
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