A Doctor Married His Passing Patient – But After Her Funeral, Her Sister Handed Him a Box and Said, 'She Wanted You to Have This Only After She Was Gone'

I wanted Dad to disagree.

He reached for his water instead.

They knew me. Neither believed I'd chased her money.

Neither thought that made the marriage right.

Dad finally asked, "Do you need money while this plays out?"

I wanted Dad to disagree.

"No."

"Lucas."

They hugged me at the door.

I held on, relieved that their love hadn't changed.

"No."

***

At home, I began the account the hospital had requested.

I typed that Alicia had insisted, then stopped.

She had asked. I had agreed.

I changed the sentence.

Explaining my decision without hiding behind her wish took most of the night.

I had agreed.

I sent it before I could soften it again.

***

Later that week, Nora posted the wedding photograph online.

There I was in my tie, beside Alicia in her scarf.

This doctor exploited my dying sister to obtain an inheritance, she wrote.