The CEO'S Last Wish Bride
Matt’s POV
The second Dr. Albert asked to see me, my heart clenched.
“Doctor… right now?” I asked, throat tightening.
He nodded, gazing heavily. “Just a few minutes.”
My legs felt like dead weight as I stood. I glanced at Dad on the hospital bed, his breathing was high making his chest rise and fall. I couldn't control the tears that dropped on my cheek.
This wasn’t the man who used to jog two miles before breakfast. This wasn’t the father who danced at barbecues and teased me about wedding rings and Paris honeymoons.
A few weeks ago, he was talking about Anna like she was already family. Now... he looked like a shadow, shaking between breaths.
I followed Dr. Albert through the cleaned hallway, my steps swift as it sounds loud against the polished floor. Even nurses glided past soundlessly.
My thoughts spiraled. My father used to take me out every Saturday for table tennis. At first, he let me win. I thought it was because he believed in me. But the moment I got serious, the victories stopped.
I could count on one hand the times I beat him after that. He didn’t care about my frustration, about the sting of losing he only cared that I learned how to fight for every point.
And my mother… she was softer. She taught me how to paint when the world slowed down. Our evening together are with brushes and canvas, colors bleeding into each other. She taught me that patience could create beauty. She believed in creating, not conquering.
Dr. Albert’s office was cold and too quiet. I dropped into the chair, hands clenched. He didn’t speak. Just stared, like gathering the words would cost him something. I already knew it was bad. But how bad?
Then came the words. “Matt, I wish I had better news.”
I froze. “You’ll have to be strong for your mum.”
I couldn’t breathe. “The virus has spread faster than we hoped. We’ve done all we can. I’m afraid… your father has three weeks left.”
The world stopped, tilted and crashed before me.
"Three weeks?"
The chair clattered behind me as I shot to my feet. “No. No, not my dad…”
Tears rolled freely but I didn’t care. I begged Dr. Albert. “There has to be something. We can take him abroad. Money’s not the issue.”
Dr. Albert looked away. “It’s not about money anymore, Matt. Just hope, pray.”
Twenty-one days, that’s all I had left with the man who loved and cherished me. My teeth gnashed and my hands trembled.
I wasn't sure how I walked back. But everyone could see it wasn't pleasant news from my face. My mom stood, hands trembling.
“What did he say?”
I forced a fake smile. “Nothing much. Just… be strong. Keep Dad happy.”
She didn’t question it. Just turned back to my father, her hands clenched in her lap like she was holding herself together with nothing but willpower.
I walked to his bedside. His skin was pale and eyes weak.
“Matt,” he rasped, grabbing my hand. “I’m here, Dad.” Eyes red.
“I need to ask you something important.”
My throat tightened. “Don’t...”
“Just listen, Son...”
I leaned in.
“I want to see you marry before I go.”
The words slammed into me.
“Marry?” I echoed, stunned.
He nodded, eyes glassy but firm. “You and Anna. I want to see it happen.”
Anna, her name still hurts. Three days ago, she ended it. No fight, no warning. She just returned the ring and walked away, like what we had wasn't real.
The one person who knew about it was Johnny. Everyone else including my father still thought Anna and I were planning a wedding. The guilt clawed at me.
I couldn’t tell him in this condition.
So I nodded. “I’ll try, Dad. I will.”
He smiled, “that’s all I ask.”
Guilt crushed me. I needed fresh air so I walked out of the room to the hallway.
I found a quiet spot and leaned against the wall arms crossed.
The hospital machines beeping, nurses rushing but all I could hear was my father's faint voice: "I want to see you marry."
Johnny showed up seconds later. “You look wrecked. What happened?”
I didn’t sugarcoat it. “Dad’s dying.”
His smile vanished. “What?”
“Three weeks.”
He rubbed his face, stunned. “Three... as in days?”
I nodded.
“Damn.” He paced. “That can’t be real. There’s gotta be a way.”
I shook my head. “Only a miracle now. And… he wants to see me married before he goes.”
He blinked. “Wait. What?”
“In three weeks.”
Johnny stared. No words.
Then, “That’s... wild.”
“I know.”
He went quiet. Then suddenly straightened. “Okay. That’s insane. But I’ve got a plan.”
I turned toward him, eyes widened. “A plan?”
Johnny’s eyes met mine. “I’ve got an idea,” he said, voice low. “But you’re not going to like it.”
I crossed my arms. “Say it anyway.”
He hesitated, “Do you remember Jennifer?”
My brow tightened. “What about her?”
“She knows someone. A girl, Sofia. Her little brother’s sick, their mom just died, and she’s out of options.”
I blinked. “You’re not serious.”
He didn’t flinch. “She needs money. You need a fiancée. It’s not renting, it’s survival. For both of you.”
My knees were weak so I had to sit down. I rubbed my hands together, trying to warm the blood in my freezing veins.
I hadn't even processed the request before Johnny showed up with something more insane.
“This is crazy you know.”
Johnny shrugged. “What’s more insane, letting your dad die thinking your engagement is still intact, or doing what it takes to give him peace?”
The hallway blurred. Nurses passed. Someone coughed and my brain spiraled. Dad’s fading eyes, his hope, his wish. Anna’s name was still heavy in his voice.
“She’ll pretend?” I asked, barely hearing myself.
“For the right reasons, yes.”
I swallowed. “Three weeks… you can’t fake love, a proposal, or a wedding in three weeks.”
“You don’t need real love,” Johnny said calmly. “Just a story that looks good from the outside.”
I hesitated as guilt overshadowed me.
Johnny leaned forward. “Remember, she’s not trying to trap you. She’s trying to keep her brother alive.”
I looked up Johnny was already dialing. Within minutes, Sofia’s picture peeped on my phone.
I stared at the picture, no filters, no smile. No angle to flatter. She looked like someone who didn’t care what anyone thinks.
“She’s too… plain,” I muttered.
