Page 33 of A Powerful Attraction
“You don’t know that,” Sherry said.
Heather nodded. “I do. And I’ve made peace with it. That’s why I wanted to see you, Sherry. Because of Alex, my brother.” She smiled brightly. “He loves you. I understand your reservations and your concerns. But Alex and I are not your typical married couple.”
“But you’re still married,” Sherry whispered.
“I would divorce him tomorrow if he’d let me. But his conscience won’t allow it. He’s afraid that if he does, I’ll die. But I’m going to die anyway. He did what he could to make sure I received the care I need. He’s not a bad person. So what I’m asking, Sherry, is if you could forgive him the secret he kept from you. And when I’m gone, be there for him. Because he’s going to need you. And because you would make a dying woman very happy. I couldn’t leave in peace knowing that I caused him to lose the love of his life.”
Sherry stood. Crossing her arms, she stepped away from Heather, torn by the heartfelt words, while at the same time wondering how her conscience could handle knowing that she was involved with a married man. Even if he was married in name only.
Since he’d come to her apartment, she and Alex had been cordial to each other. They’d dined together on one occasion, but she still had her reservations and didn’t go to his place or invite him to hers. She needed to keep a clear head, and spending time with him alone in either environment was too tempting a prospect.
“Sherry?”
She turned around to face Heather. The blonde’s eyes were pleading and filled with tears. “He’s done so much for me.” Her voice quivered. “Please, let me do this one thing for him.”
The tears flowed freely down her cheeks, and Sherry went to the bed and retook her seat in the chair. She took Heather’s hand between both of hers.
“Please forgive him,” Heather said. “I couldn’t bear to know I’m the reason he can’t be happy.”
Sherry gently squeezed Heather’s frail fingers between her own. Alex had lied to her, even knowing how important a relationship built on trust was to her. But, love was important to him. Their ideals were at odds, but his love for Heather and what he’d done to save her demonstrated his goodness. Could Sherry overlook his gross mistake?
Heather stared at her.
“I can forgive him,” Sherry said.
Heather sniffed and wiped away the tears from her cheeks. A bright smile widened her face, and her dull eyes brightened a bit. Sherry saw a hint of the vibrant young woman in the photo on Alex’s bookshelf. Before the illness had stolen the brightness from her eyes, the glow in her skin, and the sheen of her hair.
“Thank you,” Heather whispered. “Could you do me one more favor?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“Alex said you’re a praying woman. Would you pray with me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Not to get better. It’s too late for that.”
“Anything is possible.”
“Not this time. And besides, I’m ready to go. The past two years have been hell. I have one lung and can only see out of one eye. One of my kidneys has failed, I’ve been in a medically induced coma, and frankly, I don’t have the strength I used to. I want to go in peace. Just drift away. Without pain. Would you pray with me for that?”
“I…” Sherry hesitated. People usually prayed for deliverance from illness. Not to succumb to the illness.
“I’m asking for mercy. That’s all.”
Sherry’s bottom lip trembled as she absorbed the magnitude of the request. She clasped Sherry’s hand in both of hers. “Okay. Let’s pray.”
* * *
Alex openedthe door and stood in the doorway dressed only in a pair of sweatpants. He frowned in confusion. Ever since he’d woken up at Sherry’s apartment the other day, having spent the night with her wrapped in his arms, he’d tried to respect her request for time.
“Hi,” Sherry said.
“Hi.”
“I went to see her.”
“Who?” The frown in his brow deepened. “Heather?”
