The Timer of Death
After three miscarriages for Xavier Lowe, I see it—my mother-in-law has three years left, my father-in-law nine years, and my sister-in-law two years.
I say nothing.
After the third miscarriage, my mother-in-law blames me, calling me a curse who "kills" children.
My sister-in-law sneers, saying she almost died in a car crash the year I married Xavier—as if my bad luck dragged her down.
My mother-in-law snaps, "She can't even keep a child. It must be because she's cursed!"
Xavier just stands there, silent. He doesn't say a single word for me. I know that, deep down, he believes that I bring bad luck. Maybe it's also because he already has someone else—his secretary, Yvette Snyder.
His mother has always liked her better, and he clung to her the night I lost my third child.
I don't explain because I know the truth will only destroy them faster.
On my 28th birthday, I catch a glimpse of my own countdown in the mirror. On that day, I take a leave of absence. I go to the funeral home and pick out an urn—pure white, just like the wedding dress I once wore.
Wearing a beautiful floral dress, I text Xavier, asking him to meet me at the lake where we first met ten years ago.
I wait from daylight until nightfall as my countdown ticks to zero.
I die, and he never shows up.