MARY’S POV.
The moment I closed the door behind me, wide smile appeared on my way. “Yes!” I clapped my hands. “Saraya is out of the way, I must also get Ian out of the way.”
Everything was falling in place and I couldn’t be more happier. I grabbed a bottle of wine from the bar attached to my bedroom.
I didn’t know how yet, but I would find a way. I always did. There were still a few pieces left to move on the board, and Ian was one of the biggest obstacles standing between me and the life I wanted.
He isn’t as easily manipulated as Saraya had been, but that just made it more interesting. If there was one thing I knew how to do, it was manipulate.
I set the glass down on the bar and ran my fingers through my hair. Recalling how everything had started.
* FOUR YEARS AGO*
I sat beside Alex’s bed, my lean fingers sliding into his, holding his hand. The antiseptic smell of the hospital filled my nostrils making me feel sick but I wouldn’t leave his side.
I hated seeing him like this way pale; weak, and tethered to machines that kept him alive. He wasn’t supposed to look this fragile.
The door open, and it was Ms. Collins, Alex’s attorney. She stepped inside. The look on her face faltered as she saw him but quickly regained her composure.
“Mr. Newman,” she smiled, stopping few steps away. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m good,” Alex replied. “Thanks for coming.”
She gave him a nod, then turned her attention to me. “Ms. Newman.”
“Ms. Collins,” I replied, giving her a small smile.
She set her briefcase down on the side table and began unpacking it, pulling out a folder filled with papers. I watched her, trying to keep my mind off the worry clawing at me. Alex had been talking about his surgery for days, but now that it was here, the reality was sinking in.
“Since it’s work related, I’ll leave you two alone.” I said, my eyes touring between the two of them.
“No,” Alex said quickly, his voice hoarse. “You stay. It’s important you stay here with me.” He tightened his hand on mine, though his grip was weak, it made me felt happy.
I didn’t argue, though I was confused. What was going on? Why did he want me here for this?
Ms. Collins nodded and set the papers down on the bed, smoothing them out. “I’ve prepared the documents as you requested.”
Alex’s eyes met mine and he could tell by the look on my face, I was lost. “I want to transfer my power of attorney to you, Mary.”
I blinked, not sure I’d heard him right. “What?” I asked, not believing my ears.
Alex shifted, wincing slightly. “I’m not sure I’ll make it through the surgery, Mary. If something happens to me… I need you to take control. My mother, she’s pinning all her hopes on Ian, but…” His voice trailed off, the worry clear on his face.
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing bigger. “Listen, Alex, stop. You’re going to survive. You don’t need to do this.”
“This isn’t about sentiment, Mary,” he interrupted gently. “I thought it through before making this decision. You and Evan need protection. If I don’t make it… I need someone I can trust to handle things and you’re that person. My wife and the mother of my child.”
I stared at him, searching his face for any sign that he was joking, that this wasn’t real. My heart swelled with love and pride. Alex was thinking about us despite the pains he was going through.
“Honey,” I said softly, the words coming out slower now. “You don’t need to do this. You’re going to be fine. You don’t have to-”
“You know as well as I do that the survival rate isn’t guaranteed,” he said, his voice firm, but the fear behind it was clear. “You’re the only one I can trust with this. Please, Mary.”
I looked down at our hands, at the way his fingers tightened around mine, his eyes pleading. It wasn’t a request I could ignore.
Slowly, I nodded. “Okay.”
Ms. Collins slid the documents over to me, and I didn’t even look at them. I didn’t need to. With one quick motion, I grabbed the pen and signed the papers, my hand shaking slightly.
Alex watched me the entire time, and when I finished, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Thank you,” he said. “Now I can go ahead with the surgery without any form of fear.”
I gave him a small, reassuring smile, though I wasn’t sure I felt reassuring. “You don’t have to thank me,” I replied quietly. “I just signed the document because you wanted me to not because I wanted to. You will go for the surgery and you will come to me, to us hale and hearty.” I pecked his cheeks.
Ms. Collins cleared her throat interrupting us. “Since my work is done here, I think I should excuse you.”
I smiled. “Let me see you to the door.”
“No need,” She said. “Mr Alex seems like he is not ready to let go of your hands.” She said while we all smiled.
*
*PRESENT DAY*
I slipped from my wine again. “The one who made me like this was you, Alex.” I said like he could hear me. “You would readily give everything to your newly found daughter and expect me to be cool with it when I’m the one who stood by you through life and death.”
The wine slid down my throat. “And now, look where we are.” Staring at he wine glass still in my hand, and let out a harsh laugh. “I’ve given so much, Alex, and for what? For you to give it all away to someone who isn’t even part of us? Someone who would readily give away everything you gave to her. Jokes on you.”
I could still hear Alex’s voice from that hospital room: “I need someone I can trust. Please, Mary.” His words had been so genuine, so full of fear. But it was only when I held that pen, signing away my own life in exchange for his peace of mind, that I realized the extent of his betrayal. Alex had asked me for trust, but had never given it in return.
I turned away from the window, the wine glass still in my hand, and let out a harsh laugh. “I’ve given so much, Alex, and for what? For you to give it all away to someone who isn’t even part of us?”
My grip on the glass tightened as the rage inside me build up. “Ian must be thinking he has won, that’s good for my plan. He doesn’t see me as a threat anyways.” I smiled at myself. “All the pains I endured is worth it.”
The truth was, no one was safe from me-not even Alex, not even Ian.
I set the glass down on the bar and walked to my wardrobe. Inside was a lock, I entered my pin, pulling it open to reveal the paper that would finalize everything.
Caressing the power of attorney. “I’m done being second,” I whispered to the empty room. “Done being the one who supports everyone else while they take it all. It’s my turn now and that day isn’t far.”