He Married Me for the Heart Inside My Chest Chapter 04
“Lila, why have you been so distracted lately?”
It was anniversary night. Silas Hale sat across the table at the restaurant, swirling his wine glass as he watched me.
“Nothing. Just thinking about work.”
“Work can wait till we get home. Tonight’s our night.”
His tone was serious when he said our night.
I stared into his eyes, searching for a flicker of guilt or evasion.
There was none.
His gaze was gentle, focused—the look of a man deeply in love with his wife.
If I didn’t know the truth, I’d think I was the luckiest woman alive.
“Silas, I need you to answer something honestly.”
“Go on.”
“Do you love me?”
He smiled, reaching over to take my hand.
“Of course I do.”
“What do you love about me?”
“I love…” He paused. “I love everything about you.”
The perfect, generic answer.
But it wasn’t what I wanted to hear.
“What if one day, something’s wrong with my heart? I need another transplant, someone else’s heart. Would you still love me?”
His grip tightened slightly.
“Why ask that all of a sudden? Did the checkup show something?”
“You didn’t answer me.”
“Lila, stop overthinking. Your heart’s fine. Nothing’s gonna happen to it.”
“I said what if.”
He set down his glass, his expression turning serious.
“There’s no what if. I won’t let anything happen to your heart.”
I caught his choice of words.
Not I won’t let anything happen to you.
I won’t let anything happen to your heart.
I pulled my hand away, sipping my wine.
“Just joking. Relax.”
He exhaled in relief, smiling again.
“You scared me. Thought the checkup was bad news.”
“Oh, the doctor said I’m healing great. No more yearly checkups from now on.”
“Really? That’s amazing.”
His joy looked genuine.
But I couldn’t tell if he was happy I was healthy… or happy the heart was safe.
On the drive home, he held my hand as we walked down the street.
Streetlights pulled our shadows long, like any happy couple.
“Silas.”
“Hmm?”
“What if I’m gone one day? What would you do?”
He stopped, turning to face me.
“Lila, what’s gotten into you tonight? Why keep saying things like this?”
“Just curious.”
He pulled me into his chest, his chin resting on top of my head.
“You won’t be gone. I won’t let you.”
I buried my face in his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Steady. Strong.
Nothing like the borrowed heart in my chest.
In that moment, I made my decision.
Back home, I waited for him to fall asleep.
Waited for his hand to settle over my chest, for his breathing to slow and even.
I gently moved his hand away, sitting up in bed.
In the nightstand drawer were the things I’d prepared.
A divorce petition.
A letter.
A plane ticket to the city, 6 a.m. tomorrow.
I set the petition and letter side by side on the pillow.
Then I opened the closet, grabbing the packed suitcase.
I left behind everything he’d ever given me.
The jewelry, the bags, the dresses—all bought to match Elowen’s tastes.
I only took my pre-marriage clothes, and a journal.
Tucked inside the journal was a photo from our wedding day.
I stared at it one last time, pulling it out and placing it on top of the divorce petition.
As I closed the door, I glanced back at the bedroom.
Silas rolled over, his hand brushing the sheets.
When he didn’t find me, his brow furrowed.
His fingers closed around empty air, then relaxed.
I shut the door softly, dragging my suitcase to the elevator.
The hallway at four a.m. was quiet, like another world.
The second the elevator doors slid shut, a dull thud echoed from inside the apartment.
Like someone jolting upright, hitting the headboard.
Then his voice, rough and panicked from sleep.
“Lila?”
The elevator began to descend.
I took a deep breath, not answering.
His voice grew distant, muffled by floors and concrete.
