They Gave The Good Match To Her And A Replacement To Me novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: Sylvie's Ring

Sylvie stood with one hand on the back of her chair.

She was breathing carefully, in and out, as her doctors had taught her.

"Gilbert," she said.

"Sylvie, darling, sit down. It's a trick. They've set me up."

"I'm going to give you something."

She took her left hand off the chair.

There was a ring on it, a large old diamond that had belonged to his grandmother.

She worked it off her thin finger, which took a moment, because it had been made for a hand that was not so cold.

She put it on the white cloth in front of him.

"I'm not going to marry you," she said.

"You're upset."

"I'm not upset. I've been upset for two years." She looked at him, very steadily. "In the car after the engagement party, you told me you didn't need to love me. You said it was a perfect arrangement, since I'd be dead in five years and you'd be the grieving widower with my father's money."

A sound went round the table.

Gilbert's face changed.

"I said that to cheer you up," he said.

"You said it laughing."

"Sylvie."

"And in the hospital, when they told me my kidney was going, you asked how long, and what it would do to the wedding date." Her voice shook, and steadied. "I didn't say anything. I was waiting for you to be different."

"I'm different now. I'm sorry."

"No," said Sylvie. "You're frightened. It isn't the same."

She turned to Diane.

"Mother. I don't want what you're doing. I never asked for it."

"Sit down, darling." Diane had risen, with her hand held out. "You're tired. You're not yourself."

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