Episode 50: The Body That Betrayed Me

It started with a cough.

That’s how these things always start.

Small. Ignorable.

I ignored it.

Of course I did.

Work needed to be done. Deadlines existed. People were incompetent.

The usual.

Then came the blood.

Not dramatic. Not cinematic.

Just… there.

Red against white tissue.

“…Ah,” I said.

That was the moment I realized—

This might actually be a problem.

The hospital was worse.

Too bright. Too loud. Too many people.

Too many germs.

I kept my mask on.

My gloves.

Even then.

Especially then.

“Hypertension,” they said.

“Stress.”

“Overwork.”

Useless observations.

But the word stroke lingered.

That one stayed.

Later, at home, Diana stood in front of me.

Arms crossed. Silent.

“…You could have died,” she said.

“…I didn’t,” I replied.

Her eyes narrowed.

“That is not a defense.”

Silence.

“…I’ll adjust,” I muttered.

“You’ll do more than that,” she said.

That was the beginning of the contract.

And the end of me pretending my body was optional.