The Woman He Married

25. Dying and Upset

Mae glanced in the mirror while she was putting on makeup. She saw Zane walking out of the bathroom, a little bit tanner and definitely fresher than before their vacation.

"What a dress," he let out a low whistle as he looked at her.

"I have to say you have a good sense of fashion," Mae agreed, standing up to give him a little spin to showcase the dress he claimed to have handpicked for her. "What would you do if I had gained weight and don't fit the same size I was during the wedding?"

Zane hummed, staring at her, "Then I'd just go for Plan B," he kissed her cheek, "Pretend someone broke in and stole our clothes so we can be naked and spend the evening locked in this room. You and me and the hotel robes."

"A+ for creativity," Mae scoffed.

"Anyway, doesn't this dress reminds you of something?"

"Our wedding dress," Mae nodded, "A little lightweight and simpler of course."

"So it's easier to remove," he smirked. Zane placed his hands on her hips, "Of all the things Xavi said, I will have to agree with one thing because it's a fact."

"And that is?"

"That you're very beautiful."

"Huh," Mae smiled, "But you didn't think that way when you saw me the first time."

"You were well hidden under the veil."

"I meant at your house, when we first met after the wedding. You didn't think Kate was beautiful."

"That's incorrect," Zane frowned, "I mean, it would be wrong if I were to say you're beautiful when I'm aware of my status as someone's husband. But you are beautiful, even at the wedding."

"You weren't interested."

"I was mad."

"Me too, honestly, but mostly at myself."

"I don't want to look back in regret," Zane shook his head. "I promise I'll do better."

They were kissing when her phone rang, and as much as Mae wanted to ignore it, she knew she couldn't. She sighed as Zane broke the kiss and gestured at the bed where her phone was, "Somebody has got to be dying if they call you multiple times like that. Pick it up and get it done and over with so we can have our date in peace."

"Fucking hell," Mae grumbled, earning a chuckle from Zane as he went to the closet to get dressed while she exited the room. Mae sighed as she answered the call from Cade. "Yes, the unwanted sister speaking. The fuck do you want?"

"Look, I know you're mad but I'm going to make this quick."

"Be quicker, you're making me nauseous."

"Ellie is admitted to the hospital last night, literally coughing blood. She's been having nosebleed too."

Mae was shocked, but she couldn't decide if she wanted anything to do with them. "What did the doctor say?"

"Liver cirrhosis," Cade explained, "They said she needed to get a liver transplant... Which is why I'm calling."

"Is she dying?"

"How could you say that?"

"I'm just wondering, since she couldn't call me herself."

"Mae, she's literally in pain right now. I don't know where else to find help and it's going to take forever for her to get a donor, so I'm calling you. I know you two hated each other, but at least help her as a sister."