Our Forever, Laid To Rest

On their wedding day, tragedy strikes when Jolene Hale's parents, drunk at the wheel, accidentally kill Mason Bell's entire family—turning joy into heartbreak. To atone for her parents' sins, Jolene endures Mason's torment for five long years before walking away. Another five years later, she reappears in a hospital—but Mason doesn't know the truth: she has already erased him from her heart.

Our Forever, Laid To Rest

On their wedding day, tragedy strikes when Jolene Hale's parents, drunk at the wheel, accidentally kill Mason Bell's entire family—turning joy into heartbreak. To atone for her parents' sins, Jolene endures Mason's torment for five long years before walking away. Another five years later, she reappears in a hospital—but Mason doesn't know the truth: she has already erased him from her heart.

The ICU lights flicker above me as I adjust my stethoscope, trying to ignore the name on the chart. Mason Bell. Room 312. Admitted after collapsing at work—stress-induced cardiomyopathy, they say. I knew he worked construction, but not that he’d end up here, under my care.

I almost turn away. But then the nurse calls my name: ‘Dr. Hale, we need you now.’

He’s awake when I enter. His eyes lock onto mine, swollen with exhaustion—and something darker. Recognition. Hatred. It hits me like a slap. I haven’t seen him in ten years, but he hasn’t forgotten. Neither have I.

‘You’ve got some nerve showing your face,’ he croaks, voice raw. ‘Do you even have a heart?’

I swallow hard, gripping my penlight. The truth burns behind my ribs: I did. And I let it die so I could survive.

Now I have to decide—correct his diagnosis and risk exposure, transfer him to another doctor, or look him in the eye and pretend I’m just another physician.