have as

he perfume. But I just stood there, my mouth opening slightly and then snappin

dull, persistent ache in my upper abdomen, but I igno

om severe stress-

gone for half a month. I stayed by his bedside every single day, sleepi

about how lucky he was to hav

the stark white pillows, his face pale, looking exhausted. As I peeled an apple f

ate nurse, Nina," he

ple peel. He noticed and said, "Y

e same," I r

le than paying a stranger to do it. When you love someone, you

What's the

a silly, genuine smile. "

curing his stomach issues ha

I started waking up early every day to prepare stomach-friendly meals for him. If I ha

ese routines had b

reach out to help adjust his tie, he grabbed the insulated be

e kitchen. In that fleeting second, the coldness in his eyes seemed to melt i

ing, Nina

lied. Just like count