Diana sat frozen in the sterile hospital corridor, the doctorβs words still echoing in her mind: βStage four canc3rβ¦ metastasizedβ¦ only a few weeks left.β Her husband of fifteen years, Eric, was dy:ing. The love of her life, her partner through all of lifeβs twists and turns, was slipping away.
Struggling for air, she stumbled out into the brisk September evening. She collapsed onto a bench outside the hospital, clutching her stomach as though trying to contain the pain threatening to rip her apart. Around her, life went onβfamilies laughed, cried, and moved forward. Diana felt trapped in limbo.
Thatβs when she noticed the nurse.
The woman, unremarkable at first glance, approached silently, her tired eyes betraying a weariness born of years spent in the shadows of othersβ suffering.
βSet up a hidden camera in his ward,β she said
βHeβs not dying.β
The words struck like a thunderclap.
βExcuse me? My husband is dy:ing. The doctorsββ
The nurse didnβt flinch. βSeeing is believing,β she interrupted. βI work nights. I see things that donβt add up. Trust me, you deserve to know the truth.β
What did she mean, βHeβs not dy:ingβ? The thought was absurd, cruel even, but the seed of doubt had been planted. By the next morning, that seed had grown into resolve. Against her better judgment, Diana ordered a small, discreet camera.
The next day, while Eric was undergoing a scan, Diana slipped into his hospital room. Her hands trembled as she nestled the tiny camera among the fresh flowers on the windowsill.
When Eric returned, his pale face and feeble movements painted a heartbreaking picture.
He winced as he lay back in bed, gripping Dianaβs hand weakly. βThe painβ¦ itβs worse today,β he murmured.
At first, nothing seemed unusual. Nurses came and went, checking Ericβs vitals. Eric slept fitfully, shifting under the white hospital sheets. But then, at precisely 9 p.m., everything changed. The door opened, and a tall woman in a sleek leather coat walked in.
Ericβs transformation was immediate. He sat up, strong and alert, his pale faΓ§ade replaced by a vitality that didnβt belong to a dy:ing man. The woman leaned in, and they embraced with an intimacy that made Dianaβs stomach turn.
The camera had no audio, but their body language spoke volumes. The woman handed Eric a folder, which he tucked under his mattress. Their expressions were smug, conspiratorial. Dianaβs hands shook as she stopped the feed. Tears streamed down her face, but they were no longer tears of griefβthey were tears of betrayal.
The next day, Eric, back in character, winced dramatically as he sipped water. βRough night,β he rasped. βThe painβs unbearable.β
Diana forced a smile. βIβm so sorry, love. Rest. Iβll take care of everything.β
But that night, she didnβt go home. Instead, she waited in her car, watching the hospital entrance like a hawk. Sure enough, the woman in the leather coat arrived, striding confidently into the building.
Eric and the woman, Victoria, were plotting to fake his d3ath, collect the insurance money, and vanish together.
βDiana wonβt suspect a thing,β Eric said with a laugh. βSheβs already planning my funeral.β
The casual cruelty of his words shattered something inside Diana, but it also ignited a fire. She would not be their fool.
The next day, Diana called everyoneβEricβs family, friends, and coworkers. βEricβs condition has worsened,β she said, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. βThe doctors say itβs time to say goodbye.β
βBefore we say our final goodbyes,β she announced.
βthereβs something you all need to see.β
The room fell silent as the footage played on the large screen.
βHow could you do this to your wife? To us?β she screamed.
Eric stammered, his face paleβnot from illness, but from fear. When security arrived with the police, Diana stood back and watched as Eric and Victoria were led away in handcuffs.
The next morning, Diana filed for divorce. She returned to the hospital bench, hoping to see the nurse who had saved her from a lifetime of lies. When the woman appeared, her tired eyes now held a hint of warmth.
βThank you,β Diana said simply.
The nurse nodded. βSometimes, the worst diseases arenβt in the bodyβtheyβre in the soul. Iβm glad you found the cure.β