The Billionaire's Bed Test

After three years caring for my comatose husband, I sold our house to bring in a specialist from Germany for his treatment. That's when I saw the floating comments.

[This is the final test. If the side female character spends all her money to hire the specialist from Germany, the male lead will finally believe she wasn't with him for the money and wake up immediately to take her back to inherit his billion-dollar empire.]

[Dream on! If she gets that specialist, how will our soft, sweet female lead keep sneaking around with the male lead pretending to be a vegetable?]

[Exactly! Im just waiting for the scene where the male lead sneaks out of bed at night to secretly kiss our female lead and sprinkle some sweetness.]

I stared, stunned, at Felix Vanhorn lying peacefully in the bed.

He was fakingit?

No, impossible.

I went to find the attending physician, Dr. Harrison, to re-examine Felix.

The answer was the same as always.

Ms. Tate, Mr. Vanhorn still shows no signs of regaining consciousness.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I knew it. Felix couldnt possibly deceive me like that.

But then, the floating comments appeared again.

[For a second there, I thought the side character might have figured it out. Thank goodness the doctor didnt slip up.]

[My heart was in my throat! I almost thought Felixs act was blown!]

[Relax! Remember, Felix Vanhorn is basically royalty. The hospitals been paid off ages ago. No one dares reveal hes faking without his say-so. The side character will NEVER find out hes pretending.]

Seeing this, a cold dread seeped into my bones.

I looked at Dr. Harrison. He avoided my gaze, offering platitudes:

Ms. Tate, youve cared for your husband diligently for three years. If you persist, Im sure hell wake up soon.

How soon is soon?

I didnt answer him. Instead, I called Felixs name.

Over and over, just like when we were dating.

I cried, recounting our past, begging him to wake up and look at me. Still, no response.

I cried for a long time. Once the storm of emotion passed, my mind cleared a little.

I didnt know what those floating comments were, but their claims werent proven yet. I refused to believe that Felix, the man Id built a life with, would betray me like this.

The house was sold, the flight to Frankfurt was booked for this afternoon. I wiped my tears and started packing.

Over the past two years caring for Felix, Id moved most of my things into his private hospital suite. After the house sale closed, Id brought the last few boxes here. This trip to Germany was a big one. As I packed, I talked to Felix.

That first birthday you spent with me, I wished for a trip to Germany. You promised youd come with me. Who knew wed finally be going so I could find someone to save you. If Id known Germany meant saving your life, I never would have made that wish.

Felix, Ill be gone for at least a week. Ive hired a nurses aide to care for you while Im gone. When I get back, youll be awake, I know it!

But the comments flashed again:

[Shes leaving for a WEEK? That means Felix and our sweet Ruby can be together for a whole week! Think of all the places they can unlock!]

[Seriously! A week without the side character? Felix and our baby can go at it like rabbits in that private suite, maybe even try the cowgirl position? Im here for it!]

[You two are dreaming! She wont make it a week. Theres going to be an accident on the way to the airport. Shell miss her flight and lose her chance to hire the specialist. She fails Felixs test, proving love isnt real, so hell just enjoy the physical stuff with our sweet Ruby.]

My hands froze on the suitcase.

Id have an accident?

Even though the comments weren't proven, they were disturbingly specific.

Was everything they said going to happen?

I still couldn't bring myself to believe these bizarre apparitions over Felix, my partner of years.

So, I decided to test them.

Luggage in tow, I got into a cab headed for San Francisco International Airport.

As soon as I got in, I warned the driver: Please be careful.

But an accident happened anyway. At an intersection, a car with failed brakes plowed into several vehicles. Our cab was badly damaged. Though the driver and I werent critically injured, the pile-up blocked the highway. Stuck waiting for help on the overpass, I missed my flight to Germany.

My heart felt like ice. Then, the comments flickered back:

[Holy crap! The main couple in this dark smut fic are insane! On the HOSPITAL ROOF? And damn, Felix is ripped!]

[Roleplay! Naughty nurse and helpless patient? Taboo but SO HOT!]

[Okay, the sneaking around is thrilling, but honestly, I just need the side character to disappear so the main couple can bang non-stop.]

[Patience! She had the accident, missed her chance. Shes out of the game. Shell be written off in a few chapters!]

The comments were outrageous. Ignoring my minor injuries, I raced back to the hospital in Oakland.

Felix and I met by chance, fell in love.

I first saw him during a college work-study job. He looked distressed, having broken something. I helped him handle it and spoke to the manager about the damage. Luckily, it wasnt expensive. He paid, and we walked back to Berkeley together.

Thats how I learned he went there too, also scraping by on work-study to pay tuition.

An orphan raised by my grandparents, I instantly sympathized. He was witty and charming. We exchanged numbers, shared job leads. One thing led to another, we started dating.

Our relationship was simple, steady, supportive.

No grand drama, no impossible hurdles. It was exactly what Id hoped for. I was happy.

Three years in, he proposed.

He said he was just an ordinary guy, no family money, just a decent face, and he wanted to marry me for a quiet life together.

I didnt care about background or looks. I loved him because we fit. I said yes.

But just two months after our wedding, he had the car accident.

Doctors said he was in a persistent vegetative state; he might never wake up. But he was young, they said. With dedicated care and treatment, there was a good chance.

So, for three years, I poured myself into his care. I turned down a corporate job offer, sold everything my grandparents left me C the small house, my parents' insurance settlement C to pay for his treatment.

Now, these comments were telling me

All my sacrifice, all my effort, was just a testfor him.

And I was merely a background character in hisstory C the one who loved and lost, turned bitter and vengeful, and would ultimately self-destruct.

I reached the hospital late at night.

Felix was gone, just as the comments predicted. A nurse on duty saw my injuries and rushed to help.

My heart was utterly frozen. Leaning against the wall, I asked the nurse:

Wheres my husband?

The nurse glanced into the empty suite, puzzled:

Thats a good question. He was here when Nurse Reynolds did rounds. The aide you hired left hours ago. Where could he be?

I stayed slumped against the wall. The nurse, seeing my state, tried gently: Its okay. Everyone knows your husband. Plus, in his condition, no one could just take him out. He cant have gone far. Well find him. Shouldnt you get those cuts looked at?

I waved her off, voice low and hard:

I need to know where he is now!

Seeing my distress, the nurse hesitated but went to make calls.

I leaned against the wall, exhausted.

Then, the comments shimmered again.

[OMG the tension! Side chick is in the hallway while Felix and Ruby are making out in the supply closet next door! So intense!]

[Felixs lip is bleeding! Who knew our soft Ruby was such a little biter?]

[Newbie alert! Our baby girl didnt just bite his lip! She left marks everywhere!]

[My OTP is fire! Sweet Ruby pinning Felix to the counter? That power dynamic? YES!]

A muffled thumpcame from the supply room next to Felixs suite.

I froze.

The comments continued:

[Ruby saw the side character return and still made noise? Bold! But so hot!]

[Bold is right! But wont they get caught? Im nervous!]

[Chill! They locked the door. Side character cant get in!]

[No, I mean, wont she figure out Felix was faking since hes gone? I dont want Felix looking like the bad guy!]

[Oh that? Nah. The hospitals in his pocket. When theyre done, a doc will wheel him back, say they took him for a late-night muscle stimulation session. With the doc covering, dumb side character will buy it.]

[Felix planned it that thoroughly?]

[Of course! How else could he fool her for years?]

[Our genius bad boy!]

Exactly as predicted, Dr. Harrison wheeled Felix back.

He gave the exact excuse the comments provided.

I swallowed the tears burning my eyes, thanked the doctor woodenly, and helped transfer Felix back to the bed. Then, I fetched water to bathe him.

I also examined him.

Split lip. Obvious hickeys on his neck. And, just like the comments hinted, angry red marks scattered across his chest C Ruby clearly hadnt been happy.

It all lined up.

Id tried so hard to dismiss it as coincidence, to believe Felix couldnt deceive me. But every single coincidence had manifested.

What more proof did I need? My comatose husband had played a cruel, years-long game. Hed watched me sacrifice everything C my career, my inheritance, my youth C struggling to care for a condition he didnt have, all while screwing his mistress in the same room.

I shouldhave noticed. Why was a man supposedly bedridden for two years still so muscular? Why hadnt his face wasted? Why did I sometimes catch a faint, unfamiliar perfume in the room? Why those unexplained marks?

The signs were there. Id just been too consumed by the trauma of the accident, too focused willing him awake, to see them.

The bitter irony? My total devotion, while he lay there watching my suffering, was merely his sick test. A test? I laughed, a harsh, humorless sound that quickly dissolved into tears C tears for my stupidity, tears of rage at Felixs cold cruelty.

A comment flickered, calling me pitiful, noting my injuries from the accident ignored as I rushed back to Felix, proof of my true love.

[Is someone simping? Thats pathetic! She did the bare minimum for a shot at billions! Loser energy! Get out!]

[Seriously! Felix is worth billions! Her little sacrifice is nothing! She failed the test, tough luck!]

[Youre blind if you think that was real! Just wait till she finds out and turns psycho trying to hurt Ruby! Youll see how toxic she is!]

Reading that, my tears turned to a grim, icy laugh.

Id sold my grandparents legacy, quit my career, devoted three years to him.

I thought we were two ordinary people fighting lifes battles together. Instead, I was the punchline.

And some comments actually thought I wasnt allowed to feel betrayed? That Iwould be the villain?

[Are you kidding? She failed her only job. Lifes a gamble; she lost. Blaming the sweet female lead? Pathetic and toxic!]

[Just because Felix loves Ruby, she tries to run her over? Our Ruby never did anything to her!]

[Obviously! She cant hurt Felix, so she takes it out on Ruby! Classic jealous bitch move.]

[Got it. Textbook toxic female character C cant compete with the heroine, so she lashes out. Gross!]

Toxic? Gross? Dont blame the female lead?

I forced myself to think coldly.

True. I didnt know Ruby well. I didnt know her role in this. Felix was a master deceiver. He could easily have deceived her too.

I needed to know: Did Ruby know Felix was married? Did she know he was a fraud?

I didnt make a scene. I dressed Felix, gathered my things, and went to get my own injuries treated.

My wounds werent severe C just scrapes and bruises. A nurse cleaned them. She knew me, hesitated several times, but finally just said:

Ms. Tate your own health matters too. Please take care of yourself.

I looked up, startled. She turned away quickly.

Maybe, now that I knew the truth, even her kindness felt like a coded warning.

I pushed the thought aside. Leaning on the wall, I left the ER.

In the elevator lobby, I bumped into Ruby Stone, a junior from Berkeley. She looked shocked.

Ginger? I thought you were flying to Germany for Felixs doctor? What are you doing here?

I was surprised too.

Ruby was lively, outgoing. Shed seemed thrilled for us when we got engaged, even gave us a wedding gift and came to the ceremony. Shed declared we should be besties. Growing up isolated with my grandparents, Id appreciated her friendship.

After Felixs accident, shed visited often, bringing little things. Id valued her support.

I hadnt expected to see her here now.

Its late. Are you sick? I asked instead of answering.

She blinked, then laughed nervously. Oh, I twisted my ankle on the stairs earlier. Just getting it checked. But Ginger, you said you were leaving today! Why are you here? And what happened?

The elevator doors slid open, reflecting my image.

Pale, sallow skin. Cuts on my face. Hair a mess. I looked decades older than my twenty-five years.

Three years had done this.

I pushed the self-pity down, locking eyes with Ruby. Car accident on the way to SFO. Missed my flight.

Oh no! Cant you rebook?

Rebook? The comments had been proven right. Rebooking was pointless. And I was done gambling.

I didnt answer. Ruby, ever the helper, insisted on walking me back to Felixs suite.

And the comments flashed again:

[Holy crap! Ruby just got done with Felix downstairs and now she runs into Ginger and gets brought back up? Epic awkwardness!]

[Talk about playing with fire! They were just swapping spit minutes ago! The tension!]

Ruby pulled a chair over for me, revealing her neck as she leaned.

Hickeys trailed down beneath her collar.

She casually pulled out the cushion I always used from the closet and grabbed the cup from my tote bag to pour me water.

All my anger crystallized into a terrifying calm.

Now I understood.

Ruby Stone wasthe sweet female lead from the comments.

The woman screwing my husband, fully aware of our marriage, was the Ruby praised by those floating observers.

One comment popped up: [Look how scary Gingers eyes are! Does she know?]

I couldnt hold back a cold laugh.

Ruby looked uneasy. Ginger? Whats wrong?

[Look at her face! She totally knows!]

[So what? Rubys been nothing but kind! Blame Felix, he cant keep it zipped!]

[Exactly! Ruby followed her heart! Whats wrong with that?]

I met her gaze, my voice dripping with icy disdain. Nothing. Its late. You should head back to campus, Ruby.

Her smile froze. Seeing my expression, she put the cup down and left.

I looked at Felix lying motionless in the bed. Felix Vanhorn. I know. Stop pretending. Get up.

Felix, deep in his act, didnt flinch.

I let out a derisive snort, not pressing him. My grandparents taught me survival, not spotting malice. Friends used to say I was slow on the uptake C strong delayed processing kindly, oblivious bluntly. They were right. I wouldnt have missed the signs otherwise.

But slow didnt mean broken. Grandma taught me: Admit mistakes. Cut out rot.

Felix was poison. Id swallowed enough bitterness. Time to spit him out.