"They spent the night looking up at the sky.
'Why are the stars so far away, when they're so beautiful?' she asked.
He told her that 'beautiful things, no matter the distance,
can always be felt.'"

- S.B.

▼▲▼▲▼ ▼▲▼▲▼ ▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼

Andrew smiled faintly as Anisha pulled away and left him all alone in the center of the ballroom. A sad and pathetic smile indeed.

There was only one thing that mattered. And that was she hadn't let him kiss her. She had pulled away.

Right when he wanted to pull her closer. And show her that he would change. For her. For them.

But what had he expected? That she would kiss him and confess how much she loved him? That was, if she even still did.

Because he just wasn't so sure anymore. Because for some reason, things seemed different. And this time, he just wasn't sure he could convince her to stay anymore.

He was a pathetic excuse of a husband. And she could do far better than him. So why would she still even want him, especially after all the pain and heartbreak he had forced her to endure.

Because he had failed her. In every way possible. Over and over again.

Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair. He needed a drink, a strong one. And maybe someone to spend the night with.

He needed someone to take his mind off of her. He needed to forget about her.

His eyes slowly glanced across the room, looking for Amanda. Smirking, he motioned for her to follow him out.

But first he had to greet his parents, the ones he had successfully avoided all night.

To say his relationship with his parents was strained would be an understatement. Just like his marriage, he had also fucked up his relationship with his mother and father.

Because it was easier to blame them for his problems.

Just like he hated Anisha for what she had done.

But she was still his wife. And he loved her with all the broken pieces of his heart.

Miserable, miserable, miserable. He was fucking miserable.

He greeted his parents, talking to them formally, as if they were strangers. They practically were. Just like Anisha, he had pushed them out of his life, only keeping in touch for convenience.

"Mother." He gave his mother a nod and then turned to his dad. "Father. I had a great time but I need to leave a little early. I have a meeting at 6 tomorrow." He kept his gaze on his mother. She looked so much like his sister. And how she had bounced back from the loss of her daughter was a complete mystery for Andrew.

Because fourteen years later and he still missed his sister.

"Why are you leaving without your wife and your kids? And where is Anisha? I haven't seen her all evening." Andrew snapped his gaze to his father. His father always had a soft spot for Anisha. And during the early days of their marriage, his father had often joked that he loved Anisha more than Andrew.

"She's getting something to eat and she wants to stay a little longer. I'll send someone to pick her up. I really need to go. Goodbye." That was it. This was what he was like. Cold and cut-off. Even with his parents. And he didn't know what else to say.

But he stopped and froze at his father's next words. Because so far he had done a good job at hiding his infidelity. Even his closest friends wouldn't even be able to guess that he was cheating on his wife. And where his father got that idea surprised him.

Because he and Anisha always knew how to act like they were still in love. And sometimes he wondered that maybe it was easy to do so because he really was still so deeply in love with her.

But he wasn't really sure what love even was anymore. Maybe they were just familiar with each other. Maybe it was the comfort in knowing that she had stayed when everyone else had left. And maybe it was the hope that she always would.

But he truly did care about her. He did love her, he always would.

His heart would always belong to the direct and persistent girl whose only goal during second semester of sophomore year was to score higher than him on every Microeconomics exam. His heart would always belong to the sweet and kind girl he kissed over and over under the California sky, just outside the ice cream shop, two blocks from the pier. His heart would always belong to the shy and adorable girl who showed him what it was like to enjoy a small coffee date, to be young and in love.

And he wanted to be that happy and carefree again. He wanted to fall in love again, fall in love with her again.

Because he hadn't ever stopped loving her.

And he just didn't want to be miserable anymore.

But every mistake and regret was tearing his heart apart. Because he was finally willing to admit his wrongs and try and work things out with her.

And he hoped he could keep the cheating and affair hidden, at least for a little longer. At least long enough to fix some of his mistakes.

"Is there something going on between you and your PA?" His father's voice hid an undertone of anger and disgust.

And when Andrew looked at his mother, he could see the disappointment in her eyes. And he wanted nothing more than to cry on her shoulder and tell her how badly he had fucked up. How he had made mistakes that had ruined him. And how the same mistakes had ruined his wife.

And about how everything was slowly starting to destroy him. Because he was really tired of all of it. And he wanted nothing more for his birthday than for his mother to make him a cup of green tea and tell him that everything would be okay. And he wanted nothing more for his birthday than to wake up in the same bed as his wife and tell her that he still loved her.

He awkwardly loosened his tie a little and looked everywhere but at his father. "No. She's a good worker and um Anisha invited her."

"Really? Because Anisha has never mentioned her before, especially when I asked her for a list of people to invite. And she could have told me. After all, I was the one that sent out all the invites." And this time it was his mother. And from the look she was giving him, he knew the fucked up truth about his marriage wouldn't be hidden for long.

Because his mother always knew when he was lying.

"Fucking hell. I'm not cheating on Anisha. Okay?" And his voice held a hint of regret. Because he was cheating on his wife. He was. And he hated it.

"No one ever said you were. And I certainly hope you aren't. Because we raised you better than that. And you wouldn't do that to Anisha, would you?" And again, the disappointment this time in his father's voice was painful. It seemed that all Andrew ever did was disappoint. It seemed that all he ever did was let down the people around him.

He shrugged, carelessly. He had fucked up. More than once. He already knew that.

"But why is your assistant here today? In the last two hours, I've already seen her overstep her boundaries as a mere employee. In the long run, she won't be good for your marriage. I know something is off between you and Anisha. But be careful, Andrew. Don't do something you will regret. Some mistakes are costly."

Andrew looked at his father, his eyes blazing with anger. Anger at himself, at his wife, at his parents. "And what? You'll hand over the rest of my company to my wife? Isn't what this is all about? After Cassie died, you certainly had no problem transferring those shares to Anisha's name."

"Andrew. This has nothing to do with-"

"Fuck this. Fuck you. I just can't right now. See you around." Andrew Hayes was honestly sick of it; of the pretending and the lying, of the faking and hating.

And he turned around and walked away, as fast as he could, leaving the ballroom. He walked away from the pained expression on his wife's face. Away from the hope in his mother's eyes. Away from the anger in his father's words.

Away from all the mistakes he had made and the people he had hurt.

He didn't need to be reminded how badly he had managed to fuck his marriage up. He was more than well aware of his doings.

His eyes dampened and his heart felt heavy as he looked into the night sky. A gentle summer breeze and bright stars across the dark California sky. It was all a reminder of how he had fallen in love with her in the first place.

He still remembered it. Remembered all of it.

It had been a Thursday night in late June, a typical evening by the California coast. He had taken her to the small Italian restaurant, located two blocks from the pier. And then after, she had demanded he buy her strawberry ice cream. And so, he had brought her two scoops of strawberry ice-cream from the ice cream shop just across the street.

She had picked a table, outside because she liked the summer sky. He liked the sound of the waves smashing against the sand as they sat outside and listened. And the gentle ocean breeze as she had snuggled closer to him, complaining about how she had forgotten to grab a jacket. The way she had twirled the spoon around, playing with the cup of strawberry ice cream, asking him if he wanted to try it.

And then smiled against the evening sky, snickering at something he had said. The lights had lit up all around her while the palm trees swayed to the wind. And she had bit her lip, smiling and looking up at him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he had gently placed his lips on hers.

And in those few seconds, Andrew Hayes knew he was in love. And that he always would be. In love. In love, with her.

And fucking hell, he would do anything to feel like that just once again.

"Nice evening isn't it."

Andrew rubbed his eyes, brushing away any tears that had gathered and turned to face Sebastian. He didn't say another word but instead eyed his wife's best friend. And perhaps lover.

He knew of their past. But who knew what was going on between them now. It would only be fair if she too was cheating on him.

But even if she was, he wouldn't blame her. Because it would all be a result of the mistakes he made.

Andrew could see it from the way Sebastian looked at her; the fucking bastard still loved her. But Anisha never paid any attention to the loving eyes of her best friend. And Andrew hoped that there was truly nothing going on between them. Because if there was, it would make winning back his wife a whole lot harder.

"What do you need Knight?"

Sebastian shook his head. Clearly there was something wrong between Andrew and Anisha. He had known about the failing marriage for years but had just learned about the cheating. But it wasn't his place to ask. He and Andrew were far from friends, perhaps mutual acquaintances but nothing more. But he just had to tell Andrew one thing.

Because no matter how much Sebastian still wished Anisha would love him instead, he knew she never would. Because she had stopped loving him a long time ago. She had moved on. And now, more than ever, he wanted her to be happy. Even if it wasn't with him.

"I was going to wish you a happy birthday but it's clear you're having a pretty bad day." Sebastian paused before continuing, it wasn't his place to tell Anisha's secret but Andrew needed to know. "And I get that you and Anisha aren't at the best point of your relationship right now. But tell her you love her before it's too late."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Andrew furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. The last thing he needed was advice from his wife's ex-boyfriend.

"I hope you can figure that out before it's too late." And Sebastian turned to leave but instead stopped and looked back at Andrew. Because there was still a lot more that he had to say. And he knew Anisha would hate him for saying anything more but he had to. He just had to.

"Twenty-seven days. You have less than twenty-seven days to show her that you love her." His voice held an undeniable pain. And Sebastian looked away, wanting to do nothing but cry. Because earlier that day he had received a copy of Anisha's latest blood test results. The blood test results that proved that she was extremely sick, sick and a lost cause.

And he wasn't sure if she even had twenty-seven days left.

Because no matter how hard Sebastian had pushed for her to try different medications and treatments, no matter how many times he had encouraged for her to seek various opinions, no matter how much he had prayed and begged that she would get better, it was all in vain.

Her normal blood cell count was deathly low. And he knew now it was just a matter of time now. A matter of time until he would lose her forever.

Twenty-seven days at the most. If she was even that lucky.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Twenty-seven days for what?"

Andrew really was oblivious. But that was because Anisha was one hell of a liar.

And whenever Sebastian had asked Anisha why she didn't want her husband to know, she had brushed it off saying something along the lines about how it was her problem, not his. And that he wouldn't care. He had no right to care.

But after seeing the light vulnerability and fear of losing Anisha in Andrew's eyes, Sebastian wanted nothing but to tell Andrew the truth about his ill wife. About the many pills she was taking. About the number of blood transfusions she had. About how close to the end she really was.

But still, it wasn't his place to tell. All he had wanted was for Andrew to at least make Anisha smile and feel loved, even if it was just once, in her last few days. Because Sebastian knew, that all Anisha wanted was Andrew to be the one to tell her that he loved her.

Just once. Even if it was a lie.

Shrugging his shoulders, Sebastian walked away without another glance. He had already said too much.

○●○●○○●○●●○●○●○●○●○○●○●●○●○●

I'm so sorry it took so long to rewrite the first three chapters. But my summer class is over and I don't start school again until late August so hopefully I can update a lot more often now.

Question: Sebastian is the only one who knows what's really wrong with Anisha. He is her doctor and he's the only person who she really trusts. So, what kind of doctor is he?

And I went through the comments on the last chapter and added up the totals:

Andrisha: 41

Sebanisha: 39

Too bad she gets neither. JK I haven't decided yet.

175 votes for the next chapter.