don't leave me

Lilys discovery

Lily had noticed a change in Matthew lately—subtle at first, but gradually more pronounced. He seemed quieter than usual, often lost in thought when they were together. His smile, once bright and infectious, now carried a hint of weariness that she couldn't ignore.

One evening, after a particularly long day at work, Lily arrived at Matthew's apartment with dinner and a bottle of wine, hoping to lift his spirits. She found him sitting by the window, staring out into the city skyline, a distant look in his eyes.

"Hey," Lily greeted softly, setting down the food on the table. "How was your day?"

Matthew turned to her, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, Lily. It was okay. Just tired."

Lily sat down beside him, concern etching lines on her forehead. "Matthew, you've been distant lately. Is everything alright?"

Matthew hesitated, unsure how to broach the subject. He had been grappling with whether to tell Lily about his diagnosis, wanting to shield her from the pain and uncertainty. But seeing her worry now, he knew he couldn't keep it from her any longer.

"I need to tell you something," Matthew began slowly, his voice steady but tinged with sadness. "I've been going through some health issues."

Lily's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with worry. "What kind of health issues? Are you okay?"

Matthew took a deep breath, steeling himself for her reaction. "I've been diagnosed with cancer."

The words hung heavy in the air, shattering the tranquility of the evening. Lily sat there, stunned into silence, trying to process the enormity of what Matthew had just revealed.

"I didn't want to worry you," Matthew continued quietly, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I wanted to figure things out first before telling you."

Tears welled up in Lily's eyes as she reached out, taking his hand in hers. "Matthew, why didn't you tell me sooner? We're in this together."

Matthew squeezed her hand gratefully, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "I was scared, Lily. Scared of what this means for us."

Lily shook her head gently, her voice filled with determination. "We'll face this together, Matthew. You're not alone in this."

They sat there, holding onto each other, the weight of their shared reality settling between them. In that moment, Lily knew that their love would be their strength, guiding them through the uncertain road ahead.

As they leaned into each other for comfort, the city lights twinkled outside the window, casting a soft glow on their intertwined hands—a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of their newfound challenge.

Authors note

hehe plot twist