Page 51 of Be My Wife

“She’s…” I gasp loudly.

Big puzzle pieces fall into place.

I get it.

I understand now.

The person Brogan is trying so hard to save.

The one he married me for.

It’s her.

It’s that little girl.

Eleven

Brogan

“Uncle Brogie!”

I dip to my knee. Feel the cold seep into my pants. Throw my arms wide.

A white blur zooms into my chest.

I wrap my arms around her scrawny body, making sure not to press too hard and jostle any of the tubes and wires taped to her skin.

Steph pulls back, her brown eyes lit up with excitement. Her long black hair bounces against her shoulder as she giggles. “It’s been so long since you’ve come to see me.”

“I know, sweetie.” I pinch her cheek. “Is it just me or did you get taller?”

“I grew a whole lot.”

“Soon you’ll be taller than me.”

“No one’s taller than you, Uncle Brogan.” She laughs.

My heart warms and hardens at the same time.

It’s always two conflicting feelings when I see Steph.

It’s something bitter-sweet.

Something that makes me want to cradle her as close as possible.

Then set her down so I can punch a hole in the wall.

Because I can’t stand seeing her like this.

It’s incredibly unfair. How can someone so precious be saddled with so much pain? She’s only ten years old and yet, her life has shrunk to the size of this hospital. She’s on tons of medication. Always on edge. Always waiting for her heart to give out.

Damn.

It kills me.

I’d do anything to save her.

To whisk her away from this place.

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