The Proposal I Was Dying For

I had cancer, but my boyfriend never knew

He gave up his dream college for me once.

But at a car crash, he ran to another woman while I lay bleeding.

And on the day I took my last breath, he was overseas, lighting up the sky with fireworks—with his secretary.

The day I learned about the tumor growing in my brain was the same day Lucas proposed.

My thoughts spun wildly. For a second, I wondered if he knew.

But after less than half a minute of silence, he stood, slid the ring box back into his pocket, and shot me a cold look.

"My parents insisted. If you're not interested, forget it."

Relief washed over me.

Of course.

He always loved messing with me.

This time, he must've thought I'd pressured his parents into pushing for marriage—so he turned it into a joke at my expense.

I lowered my hand, the one that had almost reached for the ring, and forced a smile. "What if I said yes? Would you actually marry me?"

He just stared, silent.

The answer was obvious.

It stung more than I wanted to admit.