“You know that I’ve always loved you,” his voice was raspy and weak. He reached over and placed his cold wrinkled hand upon hers. She gripped tightly to the metal railing of the hospital bed. A chill went down her spine.
“Mmmm,” she replied, the fifty years of marriage they shared had been based on nothing but lies, his endless nights of drunkenness, he’d stumble through the front door right before sunrise, just in time to see their children off to school.
She could only credit him for being a good provider. Now, as she sat waiting to speak with a Hospice nurse, she felt relieved.
“I was never meant to be your husband.” his eyes welled with tears. “I’m a twin, separated at birth from my brother. I was raised in the slums, and he, brought up in luxury. I watched from afar how his life unfolded, wishing this secret had never been revealed to me by my hateful adoptive mother. I became more enraged especially when he proposed to such a beautiful, elegant woman as yourself. All I ever wanted was a family of my own. Once you both said the I do’s, I killed him. Taking his place was easy, you had no self esteem, you allowed the behavior change.”
She didn’t believe his words, after all, he was sickly and couldn’t possibly have any idea what he was saying.
“I’m sorry. I could’ve loved you better but my guilt made it easier for me to love the booze more. Please tell the children that I have always cherished them.” his voice slowly diminished.
His wife shook her head, she would never believe his truth.
The machine next to his bedside screamed. He flatlined.
She replayed the years in her mind.”What if?” she wondered.
Leesa Writes 