During the time that my husband was in the hospital getting treatment for his terminal illness, a stranger sat next to me and advised me to install a covert camera in his room so that I could uncover the truth.
In the hospital, Diana was in excruciating pain as she prepared to bid goodbye to her husband, who was nearing the end of his life. A stranger approached her and spoke in a shocking manner, “Set up a hidden camera in his ward… you deserve to know the truth.” She was having a hard time believing that he was the one who was passing away.
The idea that I would pass away in a hospital corridor was completely foreign to me. My head was filled with the words of the doctor, which sounded in my ears like a death knell: “Stage four cancer the metastasis of… There are only a few weeks left for him to live.”
Because of the diagnosis, the future that I had envisioned for myself and Eric was completely destroyed. When compared to fifteen years of marriage, a few days is really short. Recollections of happier times, such as our first dance together, our warm coffee dates, and the way he used to touch my hair when I was feeling down, suddenly made the golden band that was being worn on my finger feel heavy.
As I watched other families pass by, I felt a rising sensation in my gut. Even if some people were smiling and crying, others were in that strange limbo between hope and sadness. Before I completely unraveled, I was aware that I needed to leave.
When I finally made it through the automated doors, the breeze that was blowing in from the late September hit my face. Using my legs, I made my way to a bench that was located next to the entrance. Once I sat down, I dropped to the ground. The lengthy, distorted shadows that the evening sun produced across the grounds of the hospital were a reflection of the physical suffering that I was experiencing in my heart.
Exactly at that moment, she made her appearance.
She did not appear to be particularly noteworthy. In her late forties, a typical nurse, she was clothed in navy scrubs and had tired eyes that appeared to be hiding something.
In addition to her silver-streaked hair that was pulled back into a bun, her shoes were the kind of sensible shoes that would be worn by someone who spent a lot of time with their feet. As she sat next to me without questioning me, her presence was both intrusive and calming in some way.
“It is imperative that you install a covert camera in his ward,” she stated in a low voice. His death is not imminent.
I experienced the words as if they were a scalding jet of water. Sorry, may I ask? My partner is losing their life. Medical professionals vouched for its veracity. The audacity of you—”
The proverb “Seeing is believing” It was clear that she was looking at me. “Nighttime is when I am here working. What I see is that. They simply do not make any sense. I want to reassure you that you have the right to know the truth.
Before I could respond, she got up and departed, disappearing through the doors of the hospital like a ghost. I was left with nothing but questions until she finally left.
I was lying awake in bed that night, and my thoughts were running at a rapid pace. Despite the repeated claims made by the stranger, Eric’s memories of the day he was diagnosed were clashing with them. As the doctor conveyed the news to me, he had his hand on my shoulder and his face had contorted into a desperate expression.
Is she referring to the fact that “He’s not dying”? The concept appears to be implausible; nonetheless, the skepticism would not go away completely. Trembling as I entered in my credit card information, I had placed an online transaction for a toy camera that would be delivered overnight by the morning.
I managed to sneak into Eric’s room the following day, while he was in the middle of his routine scan.
Despite the fact that my hands were shaking, I positioned the miniature camera in the vase on the ledge, which contained roses and lilies. Even if each step seemed like a betrayal, I was still able to move forward because of something more profound.
I uttered the words “I’m sorry,” but I was uncertain as to whether I was addressing Eric or myself when I made those words.
One hour later, Eric was back in bed, and he appeared to be becoming increasingly weak and pale. He appeared to be more fragile and smaller than he actually was because of the medical robe he was wearing. The question “Where were you?” was asked in a feeble manner.
“I’m just getting some coffee,” I pretended to say, but I was lying. “How was the scan?” You asked.
Because he was shifting in bed and winced, the covers made a soft rustling sound. “I’m completely spent. It is becoming increasingly excruciating. The only thing I need to do is go to sleep.
After giving his hand a gentle squeeze, I nodded. Without a doubt. Allow me to take a nap for you.
That evening, after ensuring that Eric was sound asleep, I went home and sat on my bed. The blue light emanating from the laptop illuminated my face, and I could feel my heart hammering in my throat as I accessed the camera stream.
Nothing occurred for a number of hours. While Eric was sleeping, nurses came and left, and I began to feel foolish for listening to a person who was completely unfamiliar to me.
Then, at nine o’clock, everything was different.
At the moment that the entrance to the ward opened, a woman entered. Additionally, she was tall and emanated an air of self-assurance. She wore a sleek leather coat. What happened next sent shivers down my spine, and as she drew closer to Eric’s bed, her dark hair, which had been neatly combed, caught the light.
Eric, my spouse, who is supposedly “DYING,” sat up straight. Nothing to be done. There was no trouble. It appeared that he was content. That kind of happiness that didn’t seem like it would be proper for the face of a man who was dying.
As he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, he pulled her into an embrace that belied his seeming lack of strength. As they kissed, the sensation of my wedding band striking my finger was like a scorching sting.
Their body language was very personal and easily recognizable, and it crushed my heart to see them speak, despite the fact that the camera did not catch the speech directly.
He tucked the papers that she had given him under his mattress in a careful manner. It appeared as though they were putting together something of great importance, and it was imperative that I find out what it was.
As I made my way back to Eric’s room the following morning, the secret that I wouldn’t be let to know weighed hard on my heart. He had returned to his normal self, pale, feeble, and having difficulty sitting. He had lost his strength.
While he was reaching for the glass of water, he mumbled, “Morning, sweetheart,” and his hands were shaking. “The night was not a good one. The agony is always becoming greater.
I had the need to yell at him and demand answers from him by grabbing him by the collar. I chose to smile instead, despite the fact that my face felt as like it was composed of shattered glass. “I am sorry to have to let you know about that. Is there anything that I can do to help?
As I watched him shake his head, I noticed that he had performed his role perfectly. How many times did I fall for this deception and end up crying myself to sleep despite my best efforts? I counted the number of nights that I prayed for a miracle, and I was certain that he was making plans with his secret girlfriend.
I did not make it back to my house that evening. My phone was poised to record the truth while I waited inside the parking lot, where I was hiding. It was my expectation that his mistress would pay me a visit.
It was true that the woman who was wearing the leather coat showed there. She walked through the hospital with the confidence of someone who ought to have been there.
This time, I followed her covertly, with the intention of being close enough to hear her.
The ward’s entrance was only partially open, yet their voices were able to travel through it. “Everything is arranged,” she stated in a manner that would be considered professional. As soon as it is determined that you have passed away, the monies from your insurance policy will be sent overseas. At this point, we are able to start our new lives.
In his response, Eric expressed his excitement and eagerness. What a wonderful thing to hear, Victoria. Dr. Matthews delivered an outstanding performance. It was a costly endeavor, but it was well worth it to convince him to make up the diagnosis. If we continue to behave in this manner for a few more days, we will be released. In Diana’s mind, there will be no suspicions. She is well on her way to making arrangements for my funeral.
“The bereaved widow whose husband is fighting for his life!” A chuckle could be heard coming from Victoria.
‘You should have seen her face when she came to meet me today,’ she said. To be so loving and to be so caring. The poor thing, it’s almost to the point of being gloomy! Eric let out a giggle.
It was clear that Victoria was smiling when she said, “She was always dumb,” and I could hear the smile in her voice. Because of this, however, she was an excellent candidate for this. We will transfer the entire sum to her before she is aware of what has occurred, and she will collect the insurance benefit when you are considered to be “dead.” After that, my sweetheart, it will be just the two of us.”
There is no sharp sword that could strike as deeply as the casual harshness of their statements in this situation. Over the course of fifteen years, a couple was deceived. It was not the time to cry, despite the fact that my eyes were full with agony now.
Time has come for the moment of payback.
Before I started recording anything on my phone, I had a plan in mind beforehand. Did they have any interest in participating in some gaming? That’s fine. Alternately, I could engage in gaming.
On the following day, I communicated with people via telephone. Many phone calls. Eric would like to express his gratitude to everyone who has ever shown him support, including his friends, family, and coworkers.
“His condition has significantly deteriorated,” I said, my voice breaking at the right points as I communicated the news. Following the advice of the medical professionals, it is time to say goodbye. Please come today. Thank you. His desire would be for everyone to be present.
At dusk, Eric’s room was completely occupied. And when his parents were standing by his bed, his mother quietly sobbed into a handkerchief. There was a hushed expression of sympathy from coworkers. Friends from college reminisced about happier moments in their lives.
The more people who showed there, the more I could see worry beginning to seep into Eric’s eyes. He did his part, acting appropriately fragile and grateful for the assistance that was provided.
Before I moved forward, I waited until the room was completely full. There was no longer any shaking in my hands. While looking directly into Eric’s eyes, I continued, “There is something that all of you need to see before we say our final goodbyes.” A very significant secret has been kept from all of us by my cherished spouse, may his soul rest in peace when he “dies.”
It was Eric’s gaze that widened. Who are you, Diana, and what are you doing?
My laptop was connected to the television that was in the room. Eric, who was still very much alive, was shown holding his mistress, Victoria, as the tape began to play again. Next, the phone tape emerged, which showed them discussing the means by which they could bribe Dr. Matthews, steal the money from his insurance, and simulate his death.
A state of chaos prevailed in the room.
The tears that his mother shed turned into yells of rage. How could you possibly cause us damage in such a way? That is, to your partner?
During the incident, Eric’s father was restrained by two of his brothers. Victoria made the decision to appear at that particular moment after she realized that their strategy had failed, and she stopped short in the doorway as she did so.
Once security had been completed, the police arrived. While they were handcuffing Eric and dragging him away, I watch as his protests went unanswered. Furthermore, during the course of the investigation into the case, Dr. Matthews was taken into custody and his medical license was revoked. No matter how hard Victoria tried, she was unable to get out of the elevator.
I went back to that bench outside the hospital the very next day, in the hopes of meeting the kind stranger who had saved me the stress of having to deal with the most significant betrayal of my life. I filed for divorce the very next day.
The woman who had warned me also took a seat next to me, and she smiled slightly as she did so.
As I saw the sunset illuminate the sky with colors that represented beginnings and endings, I responded by saying, “Thank you and I am grateful.” I was able to avoid experiencing a different kind of grief because of you.
They were heard by me one evening while I was going about doing rounds. You couldn’t let them bring about the destruction of your life. In some cases, the diseases that ultimately result in death are not the most severe. They are the ones that slowly spread throughout the hearts of those we care about, eating away at our self-assurance until it is entirely and utterly depleted altogether.
Cancer was not the cause of death for my husband, who passed away. I was unable to keep him with me because of his dishonesty and greed. On the other hand, the experience of losing him helped me become more courageous, honest, and aware of the fact that the kindness of strangers can sometimes shield us from the judgment of those who are closest to us.
The weight of my wedding ring, which I carried in my pocket as I drove home that evening, served as a small reminder of everything I had accomplished and everything I had failed to do.
When the sun went down, it painted the sky in brilliant oranges and reds, and for the first time in weeks, I felt as like I could breathe again. At times, the finish of one story serves as the beginning of another.
