Bound and Broken: A Life Given, A Heart Shattered

When Queenie Jorian, the mother of my son, Leroy Pattinson, held a kitchen knife to the little boy's neck, my mind went blank. I never imagined Francis Show being more important than even our son to her."Niels Pattinson, are you going to donate your kidney or not? If you don't, I'll finish off your son with this knife, then take myself out after," Queenie threatened, holding Leroy as she stood at my bedside, her eyes full of cold determination."Dad, I'm scared. Mom, please don't hold the knife. I'm scared…"Dad, save me!"Our five-year-old son was sobbing uncontrollably."Queenie, do you have any conscience at all? I'm paralyzed because I was hit by a car while trying to save you. And now, you want me to give my kidney to that guy friend of yours? Can't he just wait for some other donor with a compatible kidney?"Queenie's expression was icy. The knife she pressed against Leroy's neck left a faint red line. "He can't. Francis is in the late stages of kidney failure. What am I

I knew very well that everything Francis said was just empty words. He always put on this weak, "sensitive" act; only Queenie would fall for it."Don't worry about him. Stop overthinking it. Our marriage had issues long before you came along. I'm just so tired. Honestly, I get irritated every time I'm around Niels. I know I shouldn't feel that way since he saved me... Sometimes, I even wish he hadn't—"Before Queenie could finish, Francis interrupted her. "Queenie, don't think like that. You're a good woman. You haven't done anything wrong. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness. You've done more than enough."He then let out a cough, which prompted Queenie to rush for the doctor.The doctor checked Francis and reassured Queenie. "Miss, rest assured, your husband is fine now." He then added to Francis, "Mr. Show, I envy you for having such a chance."My soul stood by Queenie, watching as she remained silent, not denying a thing. The look she exchanged with Francis was full of

Queenie went back home to Ashere as though she was alone. She opened the door to an empty room.She had tears in her eyes as she walked to the bed where I had spent the last years of my life.She searched through the entire house, turning over every drawer and cabinet until she finally found a shirt I used to wear."Niels, I miss you so much." She buried her face in the shirt, inhaling deeply. Her tears fell onto the fabric against her control. "If only you had told me earlier that you had already lost a kidney while saving me… If I had known, I would never have let you donate your kidney to Francis. You were my husband. You were the most important person to me."Hearing her say these words stirred a strange mix of emotions in me. I would have wanted to hear her say this when I had been alive. But it was too late. Her love had come too late.…In the days that followed, Queenie resumed her usual work routine. However, she would often try to visit Leroy during her free time. Yet

I watched as Queenie stared blankly at her bleeding hand. She didn't call a nurse for help. Instead, she kept crying."Niels, I miss you. I really miss you. I was wrong, so terribly wrong. I lost you for someone like this."I couldn't accept Queenie's apology. Despite everything, and even though I no longer loved her, I didn't want to see her being hit.But now, I was nothing more than a pitiful ghost whom no one could see or hear. I couldn't help her in any way.When Queenie asked Francis for a divorce, he seemed frightened. He immediately kneeled and begged her not to leave him. In the end, Queenie's heart softened, though I couldn't shake the feeling that Francis wasn't truly remorseful.Queenie visited my grave when the anniversary of my death came around. However, she only watched from a distance since my mother and Leroy were there.Over the years, she had bought gifts for Leroy, but he had always refused them. Queenie had been a poor excuse for a mother; because of my disa