The silence of the night pressed heavily against Lingling's chest. The only sound in the room was the soft hum of the air conditioning and the steady rhythm of Orm's breathing beside her.
Lingling lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind a storm of thoughts she couldn't silence. Her heart pounded so hard she could hear it in her ears.
Tomorrow. Orm.
Her fingers clutched the blanket tightly, her nails digging into the fabric. She had been trying so hard to act normal, to cherish every moment they had left, but the fear was suffocating her.
She turned on her side and gazed at Orm's peaceful face. The woman she loved more than anything in this world. The woman she wasn't ready to lose.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she bit her lip to keep from sobbing. It wasn't fair. It wasn't supposed to happen this way.
Slowly, she reached out, her fingertips grazing Orm's cheek. She traced the outline of her face as if memorizing every detailâthe gentle slope of her nose, the fullness of her lips, the way her dark lashes fanned against her skin.
Orm stirred slightly but didn't wake.
Lingling swallowed the lump in her throat and mouthed the words she was too afraid to say aloud.
"I love you, Orm. More than I love myself."
A single tear slid down her cheek, followed by another. She leaned in and pressed a delicate kiss to Orm's forehead.
Orm let out a sleepy sigh and, out of habit, reached for Lingling, pulling her close against her chest.
Lingling melted into her embrace, feeling the warmth of her body, the familiar scent of her skin.
She was still here. She was still breathing. She was still Orm.
Lingling shut her eyes tightly, willing time to stop.
Even if it was just for one more night.
_____
Early that morning. Lingling sat up first, quietly watching Orm as she slept. She reached out, tracing her fingers along Orm's cheek, memorizing every feature.
She felt the familiar sting in her chestâthe fear, the helplessness. She had spent days trying to change fate, doing everything in her power to keep Orm close. But would it be enough?
She pressed a gentle kiss on Orm's forehead.
Orm stirred, blinking groggily. "Mmm... you're up early."
"Couldn't sleep."
Orm smiled sleepily, pulling Lingling into a hug. "You worry too much. Everything's fine."
Lingling forced a smile. She wanted to believe that.
Lingling insisted on making breakfast, pushing Orm to relax. Orm sat at the kitchen counter, watching Lingling move around with uncharacteristic precision.
"You've been extra sweet lately," Orm mused, sipping her coffee. "Not that I'm complaining, but... is something wrong?"
Lingling turned, forcing a chuckle. "Can't I spoil my fiancée?"
Orm beamed. "Of course, you can."
She pulled Lingling close, resting her forehead against hers. "I love you."
Lingling's heart clenched. "I love you more."
âââ
They left their condo by late morning, heading to meet Orm's clients. Lingling gripped the steering wheel, her fingers tense.
Orm, as expected, noticed. "Baby, why are we driving so slow?"
"Just being careful."
Orm chuckled, shaking her head. "You're acting like I'm fragile."
Lingling said nothing. She just tightened her grip.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Orm immediately dived into work. She laid out her designs, explaining every detail with her usual enthusiasm.
Lingling sat at the side, pretending to focus on her laptop. But her eyes kept drifting to Orm. She looked so alive.
She exhaled sharply, fighting the tears burning in her eyes. She won't die. Not this time.
After hours of discussions and revisions, the clients were satisfied. They shook hands, confirming everything.
_____
The restaurant almost emptied out, but Orm and Lingling remained for dinner. Orm ate happily, unaware of the turmoil inside Lingling's heart.
Lingling watched her, barely touching her food.
"You're staring." Orm teased, mouth full of steak.
Lingling smiled weakly. "I'm just happy."
"Good. You should be." Orm reached for her hand. "You know, once this project is done, we should take a trip. Just the two of us."
Lingling nodded. "That sounds perfect."
If only that future existed.
Orm wiped her lips. "Shall we go home?"
Lingling checked her watch. 6:20 PM.
She nodded. "Let's go."
She intertwined their fingers as they walked to the car. Every second felt borrowed, every step a countdown.
The drive home was quiet. Lingling kept glancing at Orm, expecting something to happen. But nothing did.
They reached home safely.
Lingling exhaled, the weight on her chest easing slightly. Maybe, just maybe, she had changed everything.
She turned to Orm, cupped her face, and kissed her deeply. "I love you."
Orm smiled against her lips. "I love you too."
They stumbled into the bedroom, laughter mixing with kisses. Just when things were about to escalate, Orm pulled away, smirking.
"I need a quick shower first."
Lingling pouted. "Really?"
"I won't take long."
Lingling watched her disappear into the bathroom. She sighed, rubbing her chest. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe today wasn't the day.
She sat on the bed, waiting.
Then she heard a sound.
A thud.
Lingling shot up. "Orm?"
No response.
She ran into the bathroom.
Orm was on the floor, her body limp, steam rising around her.
"ORM!"
Lingling fell to her knees, shaking her. "Baby, wake up! Please!"
Orm's lips were slightly parted, her breathing shallow.
Panic surged through Lingling. She grabbed her phone with trembling hands. Emergency. She needed help. Now.
She cradled Orm against her chest, her heart hammering. "Hold on, love. Just hold on."
The sound of sirens blurred in the background.
Lingling barely registered the paramedics bursting in.
She rode in the ambulance, gripping Orm's cold hand. "You're going to be fine. You're strong. You promised me forever, remember?"
Tears blurred her vision as they arrived at the hospital.
Doctors and nurses rushed Orm into the ER.
Lingling was left standing in the hallway, hands clasped together as if in prayer.
Minutes felt like hours.
She heard the frantic voices of the medical team, the beeping of machinesâ
Then a sound that shattered her soul.
Flatline.
Her knees buckled.
A doctor stepped out.
"Miss Kwong..."
She shook her head violently. "No. No, don't say it."
The doctor sighed, eyes filled with sorrow. "We did everything we could. But she suffered a sudden aneurysm. It was fast... she didn't feel pain."
Lingling staggered back.
No.
No, no, no.
The doctor placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry."
The world around her blurred.
She pushed past the doctor, running into the room.
Orm lay still, her face peaceful, as if she were just sleeping.
Lingling choked on a sob. "No... no, please wake up."
She clutched Orm's hand, pressing it against her face.
"You can't leave me. Not again."
Tears dripped onto Orm's skin.
She leaned down, pressing a trembling kiss on Orm's forehead.
"I love you... I love you so much..."
But Orm didn't answer.
_____
Lingling rushed home, leaving Orm behind at the hospital. The moment she stepped into her condo, she dashed straight to their room, frantically searching for that small, precious boxâthe one that held the cloverleaf.
Her hands trembled as she opened it, eyes locking onto the magical leaves inside. Without hesitation, she made another wish. Another chance. Another moment with Orm.
But each time she wished, she thought she could change fate. That she could rewrite their story. But no matter how hard she tried, the ending was always the sameâOrm leaving her.
Again and again, the cycle repeated, as if the universe was determined to keep them apart.
Then, one day, as she stood in the same spot, heart heavy with desperation, she realized there was only one leaf left.
Just one.
Her breath hitched.
This was it. The final chance.
Her body shook as she clutched the clover close to her chest. Tears streamed down her face. She knew what this meant.
Tomorrow, when she wakes up, it would be the beginning of her last seven days with Orm.