ManyWriters

It was common knowledge that Lucas Ryan had wed me solely out of resentment, unable to be with the woman he truly adored.
Throughout our five-year union, he played the role of the ideal spouse in public—a celebrated heart specialist admired by many. However, within the confines of our home, he was aloof and detached, frequently requesting a divorce.
Then Evelyn Snow, his first love, came back to the country due to health issues. Lucas dedicated himself to her care, rarely leaving her side. He even cautioned me repeatedly: "Eve's heart condition is fragile. If you dare appear and cause her stress, our marriage is over for good."
At last, during his hundredth plea for a divorce, I conceded.
What Lucas was unaware of, though, was that I was already expecting his child.
En route to the courthouse to complete the divorce proceedings, I was involved in a vehicular collision. My life and that of my unborn baby were extinguished in a moment.
Lucas didn't receive the divorce papers that day, but he did get word that Evelyn had found an ideal heart donor match.
Elated, he hurried back to the medical center and conducted the operation himself, extracting the heart from my lifeless form and implanting it into hers.
It wasn't until afterwards that he recalled our divorce—but by then, my phone would never ring again.

The Heart He Stole Twice

I trailed silently behind them, observing the scene unfold with a sense of detachment.


I couldn't grasp why Lucas Ryan appeared so rattled after hearing about my passing.


Was he elated that his bothersome spouse was finally out of the picture?


Perhaps his joy was simply overwhelming him.


Lucas halted abruptly in front of the morgue entrance.


His previous agitation vanished, replaced by an unsettling composure.


He moved towards the rows of cold metal compartments with measured steps and came to a stop.


Mason, who had caught up, paused for a moment, glancing at Lucas repeatedly before finally indicating one of the compartments in the center row.


"Dr. Ryan... Claire's... Claire's remains are in here."


I drifted noiselessly beside Lucas, watching as he lowered his gaze to the handle. His hand quivered noticeably as he reached for it, fingers shaking against the frigid metal.


But he didn't immediately open it. He just stood there, staring, motionless.


Chapter 6