When Melissa was brought to Mercy a month ago, having suffered a hemorrhage, I was shocked and beside myself. Soon after, she had slipped into a coma. Her beautiful oval face was pale, so were her full red lips. Luckily, we were able to save her, barely.

How had David let this happen!?

Melissa was my first love. We had met in kindergarten and hit it off right away. The fact that our parents were friends only helped us get closer to each other. She was the one constant in my ever-changing life.

After my parents' demise in a plane crash, Melissa's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, took me in without a second thought. I was twelve at the time.

Sands of time passed us by more quickly than I would have liked. I don't remember the exact moment that I had fallen in love with her. The only thing I was sure of was that I had never felt for anyone like I did for Melissa. In my eyes, she was perfect. And I thought that we would end up together, eventually. In my defense, Melissa did not seem interested in dating, which further boosted my confidence.

Little did I know that my overconfidence would lead to my downfall.

A year into medical school, the unthinkable happened. Mr. and Mrs. Moore passed away in a freak accident, and a few days after that, David appeared.

Since the first time I saw him, I disliked him. There was just something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. He was kind, understanding, and gentle. However, when he thought that no one was watching, he had let his mask of perfection slip.

I still remember how one evening, he had leered at Susan, one of our mutual friends, when we had met up for lunch during our break.

By the time I had gotten a whiff of David's intention, it was already too late. I was too late. Melissa had already fallen head over heels for David. And in a blink of an eye, I had lost the girl who meant everything to me.

I accepted it. I had to; I had no choice. I needed Melissa in my life. She was my family. But now, I was no more her's. She was not mine either. There was no us anymore. She was David's, and for a while, they seemed happy.

Though distraught, I wished for her happiness. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Mel. An year later, Sandy and Sid were born, and my family grew.

I loved them like my own. After all, the beautiful bundles of joy were a part of Mel.

David was surprisingly missing at the time of their birth.

"Why should I worry when you are there with her, Reed? I trust you with her." He had said when I had confronted him two days later. He had shown up drunk with a woman's perfume clinging to his skin, to see his children and a still weak, hospitalized wife for the first time since the little wonders had arrived in this world.

When I had questioned him, he had woven a tale of how he must have- in his excitement to see his children- worn Melissa's perfume after working on a high-profile project for two days straight.

Lies. I knew that Melissa used nothing but Elizabeth Arden, and the scent that clung to him was anything but that.

Working two days straight!? What did he take me for, the jerk!? He looked like a man returning from a relaxing trip to the Bahamas!

I had promptly asked him to shower and handed him my spare set of clothes before letting him meet Melissa and the kids. I shouldn't have.

There is a sharp knock on the door, and I rush to open it. There, dressed in a body-hugging long-sleeved, peach shirt and white straight-cut pants, stood a woman with blue eyes and wavy blond hair.

I miss the sea-green eyes and copper curls that fell carelessly over her shoulders- Melissa's signature look.

"Alex, you are already here!" She exclaims and throws her arms around me. The way she calls my name hasn't changed, neither has the warmth her eyes radiate, but everything else still feels unfamiliar.

I sigh. "Yes, I guess I couldn't keep away. And I was worried." Ignoring the unfamiliar feel of her arms, I return the embrace. "Did he approach you?"

She lets go of me and plops herself on the couch. Throwing her head back, she closes her eyes and smiles. "Yes, he did. I think he might seek you out tomorrow."

"Why?" I enquire, and she rampages through her purse and pulls out a pepper spray. She sets it on the coffee table. "He gave me this." She stares at the bottle as if it were a disgusting dead roach and adds. "You know, for protection. Apparently, this locality is not safe." The woman who looks like my subordinate, Janice but is my soulmate, Melissa, chuckles mirthlessly.

Anger bubbles inside me, but I refrain from voicing my thoughts lest they upset her more. Instead, I take a seat on the adjacent couch. She quirks her brow. "Do I still freak you out?"

"No." I reach for her hand, and she leans closer, accepting mine. "Melissa, I may not be used to you looking like this, but you can never freak me out."

I love you- your heart.

I give her hand a gentle squeeze. "Tell me what happened," I demand, and she fills me in about how David had intercepted her and tried to start a conversation. When she tells me about how she had hurt his pride and walked away without looking back, her eyes twinkle.

"Alex, this is what we were waiting for, isn't it?" She asks; the dim light from the foyer catches her eyes and I can see myself in her electric blues.

I nod. "I will send for you when David arrives."

Melissa bites her lips. "Alex, what if he sees through me?"

"What do you mean, Mel?" I can see that something is bothering her.

"What if he realizes that I am not Janice but Melissa? He already tried to kill me twice." Her lips quiver; her blue eyes swim with fear.

"He won't. He doesn't know Janice, at least not personally. All the information he has gathered is from social media and having you tailed. I have known Janice for two years. We know much more about her than he does."

Her body tenses up. I can tell that my words are falling on deaf ears. We had had this conversation before, but the next part of our plan still scared her.
"Mel," I call her, and she looks at me. Worry lines marred her usually smooth forehead; a thin sheen of sweat glistens at her temples. "If you are not comfortable, we can try to find another way."

She shakes her head. Tears roll down her cheeks. "I miss them, Alex. I miss my children. I haven't seen them in four days."

I can't take it anymore. My feelings get the better of me; I join Melissa on the couch and pull her into my arms. "I know," I whisper and kiss the top of her hair. I rock her in my arms, and gradually, her body calms down. I hold her till I can feel her breathing even out. "Mel?" I call her softly. She nuzzles into my chest before wrapping her arms around my neck. "I am so tired, Alex." She mutters, looking at me expectantly.

She knows that she can trust me, that she can rely on me. She ruffles my hair as I take her in my arms and carry her to the bedroom. "Why are you so good to me, Doctor Reed? Why do you put up with me?" She enquires as I sit her on the bed and lay her PJs out.

"Because, my dear Mel, you are my soulmate. And there is nothing that I wouldn't do for you." I reply, walking into the bathroom and returning with her toothbrush.

Melissa takes the offered toothbrush. "Again with that soulmate business, hum?" She shakes her head. "Why can't you ever give me a straight answer, Alex?"

I had expected her to say this, to react this way. Mel didn't know that I had never said the word without meaning it with all my heart. I feel tempted to make her see the truth- my heart, but I can't put her in that position now. She has too much on her plate already.

I shrug.

Her face clouds. "Can't you stay the night?" She asks. "It's too lonely with just me here."

"I will be right upstairs if you need me," I reassure her, pulling her to her feet and walking her to the bathroom.
"Besides, you need to get into the habit of sleeping alone. Janice has stayed alone since she was a teen.

"But I haven't, Alex. Not for years. Can't we postpone it for a bit?" She asks hopefully.

I shake my head, and once again, blue eyes swim with tears. This feeling of helplessness pains me more than I would like to admit to myself. We had set a trap, and if it were to succeed, I would have to be honest with her. "Mel, your body... you don't have much time."
She nods and starts brushing. I watch her as she tilts her head from side to side to get to every corner of her mouth. I can't help but smile. She hasn't changed one bit: My Melissa.

She wipes her face and exists. "Do I have something on my face?" She questions, quirking her brow and rubbing her nose. It looks odd on her- on this face.

"No." I stand to leave, but before I can, she wraps her arms around my middle and plasters her front to my back. "Alex, I am scared."

I turn in her arms and tilt her head catching her electric blue eyes. "Don't be. I won't let him hurt you this time, Mel."

She takes a deep breath and stands on the tips of her toes, and plants a kiss on my cheek. "Thank you, Alex. I don't know what-"

I shake my head. I knew what she was planning to say. "Don't say it. There is no need for sorry or thank-yous between us."

She nods and steps away. Resolution and determination shine bright in her blue eyes. "I will not let David take advantage of my love anymore, Alex. I will bring him down!"

"Yes. You will. And I will be there with you every step of the way."

She smiles, nods curtly and starts pushing me out the door. "I am Janice. I have lived alone for years. I am not scared of darkness, and I have Alex right upstairs if I need him. But I am not going to need him because I am brave, and I can do this."

I chuckle as she recites the words like a mantra; I kisse the top of her head, and close the door behind me.