THE HEART OF SACRIFICE
EPISODE 1
WRITTEN BY RUKEVWE MERRY
The sun-drenched church was abuzz with anticipation as Alex Arthur and Maddie Smith stood before Reverend Brown. The air was thick with the scent of roses and the soft murmur of loved ones.
Reverend Brown’s warm voice filled the silence. “Mr. Alex Arthur, do you take Miss Maddie Smith as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish her, through sickness and health, till death do you part?”
Alex’s eyes locked onto Maddie’s, shining with adoration. A gentle smile spread across his face. “Yes, I do.”
The congregation exhaled a collective sigh of happiness.
Reverend Brown turned to Maddie, his expression expectant. “Miss Maddie Smith, do you take Mr. Alex Arthur as your legally married husband, to love and cherish him, through sickness and health, till death do you part?”
Maddie’s gaze dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. “No, I don’t.”
The room froze. Gasps echoed through the silence.
Alex’s smile faltered, his eyes wide with shock. “Maddie?” he whispered, his voice trembling.
Maddie’s eyes remained downcast, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her words.
Reverend Brown’s face reflected the stunned expressions of the crowd. “Miss Smith, would you care to explain?” he asked gently.
I’m in love with someone else,she said.
Alex’s eyes widened in shock, his face stung by Maddie’s words. “You’re in love with someone else?” he repeated, his voice cracking.
Maddie’s gaze met Alex’s, a mix of guilt and defiance. “Yes, I am. And I won’t marry you, Alex. You’re…you’re not the man I thought you were.”
Alex’s grip on her arm tightened. “How can you say that? I’ve loved you for three years, given you everything. What’s changed?”
Maddie’s voice dripped with venom. “You’re impรธtent, Alex. A shadow of a man. I deserve better.”
The crowd’s murmurs escalated into gasps and shocked whispers.
Maddie’s parents rushed forward, their faces red with embarrassment. “Maddie, how could you?” her mother demanded.
Maddie shook off Alex’s grip and flung her rose bouquet at his face. “I’m sorry, Mom. Dad. But I won’t waste my life on a man who can’t even…”
She spun around and strode out of the church, leaving Alex reeling.
Sarah, Maddie’s mom, turned to Alex, her expression bewildered. “Alex, what’s going on? Did you and Maddie have a fight? What happened suddenly?”
Alex shook his head, still reeling from Maddie’s rejection. “No, ma’am, I don’t know where this is coming from. We were fine, or so I thought.”
Sarah’s eyes filled with concern. “But she just said she doesn’t want to marry you. What did you do, Alex?”
Alex’s face contorted in pain. “I didn’t do anything, Mrs. Smith. I love Maddie with all my heart. I thought we shared that love.”
Sarah’s voice softened. “Alex, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into Maddie. She’s always loved you.”
Alex’s determination surged. “Please excuse me, Mrs. Smith. I need to talk to Maddie.”
Sarah nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. “Go, Alex. Find out what’s wrong.”
Alex swiftly exited the church, searching for Maddie.
Alex sprinted after Maddie, grasping her hand as she reached her car.
“What’s going on, Maddie?” Alex pleaded, his voice shaking. “Why did you humiliate me in church? We love each other…or so I thought.”
Maddie’s expression turned icy. “I don’t want a man like you, Alex. We’ve been together three years, but you can’t even touch me. It’s like dating my brother.”
Alex’s face contorted in pain. “What are you talking about? You wanted us to wait until marriage. I respected that.”
Maddie’s voice dripped venom. “That’s just it โ you can’t satisfy me, Alex. And now I’m in love with someone else. Back off.”
Alex’s eyes welled up with tears. “No, Maddie. Please forgive me. Let’s go back inside and get married. I promise to make it right.”
Maddie shoved him away, her eyes flashing. “Leave me alone, Alex.”
She jumped into her car and sped away, leaving Alex crumpled on the ground.
As he wept, memories of their sweet moments and Maddie’s promises flooded his mind.
Alex composed himself, wiped away his tears, and drove to Maddie’s apartment.
Back at Maddie’s apartment, she stepped out of her car and walked slowly to the entrance, her heels clicking on the pavement.
She opened the door, entered, and close it behind her.
Maddie removed her wedding gown, now a painful reminder of what could never be.
She carefully hung it in her closet, tears welling up in her eyes.
Next, she entered the shower, hoping the water would wash away her sorrow.
As the warm water cascaded down her face, Maddie’s thoughts drifted to yesterday’s doctor’s appointment.
“I’m sorry, Miss Smith…you have severe heart disease. You’ll need a transplant soon. I’m afraid you have only a few months to live.”
The doctor’s words echoed in her mind, piercing her heart.
Maddie cried uncontrollably, her body shaking under the shower.
“Why, God? Why must I leave Alex so soon?” she cried out.
Maddie’s body shook with tears, her voice echoing off the shower walls. “I have to make Alex hฤte me…for his own good.”
Maddie’s eyes welled up with tears as she remembered Alex’s heartfelt words:
“Maddie, I love you so much…if ever I’m at a crossroads and I need to sacrifice myself for you…I will happily give my life for you.”
Maddie’s eyes widened in distress. “Oh, God…if he ever finds out I’m sick…he’ll go to the ends of the world for me.”
She envisioned Alex’s determined face, his unwavering love.
“He’ll sacrifice everything,” Maddie whispered, tears streaming down her face. “His happiness, his future…everything.”
The thought of Alex’s potential suffering intensified Maddie’s resolve.
Maddie’s thoughts swirled in turmoil. She had to protect Alex from her impending fate.
“No, Alex…I won’t let you,” she whispered, determination etched on her face.
Maddie’s mind replayed their moments together โ laughter, tears, whispers of forever. She knew Alex’s love for her was boundless.
“If he finds out, he’ll never leave my side,” she thought, desperation creeping in. “He’ll try to fix me, to save me…but it’s too late.”
The shower water continued to flow, washing away her tears but not her pain.
Maddie’s scream echoed through the apartment, a raw expression of her anguish. “Why did you test me like this, God? Why must I choose between love and death?”
As the water began to lose its warmth, Maddie’s resolve hardened. She would ensure Alex stayed away, no matter the cost.
With a heavy heart, she stepped out of the shower, ready to face the consequences of her decision.
The story continue
Rukevwe Merry
