As Anna stepped out of the room of her dying husband, she was already about to head home when she suddenly overheard a secret conversation between two orderlies. When she realized what they were talking about, the woman was seized by sheer horror 

After saying goodbye to the dying man, Anna left the hospital without noticing the tears streaming down her cheeks. She walked slowly, as if her legs no longer obeyed her, and stopped by the wall of the building to catch her breath.

Just six months earlier, Mark had been a strong, confident man. He laughed, made plans, and promised that a long life awaited them together. Anna believed him without question. He was always by her side, always protected her, always knew what to say.

Now he was lying in intensive care. A white room, cold light, tubes, wires, machines breathing for him.

“Everything will be fine,” Mark whispered when she squeezed his hand. “We’ll get through this.”

Anna nodded, though she knew it wasn’t true. The doctors had been honest. The disease was progressing too quickly. A donor had not been found. There was almost no time left.

She went outside. It was early winter. People hurried about their business. The world went on—as if nothing had happened.

Anna sat down on a bench near the hospital building and buried her face in her hands. The tears came on their own. She didn’t try to stop them.

After a few minutes, she felt a little better. She took a deep breath and was about to stand up when she heard voices behind the wall.

Two orderlies were standing at the corner of the building, not noticing her. They spoke quietly, but every word was perfectly clear.

When Anna heard what they were talking about, she was horrified  Continued in the first comment 

“His wife isn’t suitable as a donor anyway,” one of them said tiredly.

“Yes, the test results are bad. It’s really a shame… And essentially, there are no other options.”

Anna shuddered. Her heart began to pound faster.

“You didn’t know?” the other lowered her voice. “Yesterday his mistress came in. She was tested for compatibility.”

“Seriously?”

“Absolutely. She’s a perfect match in every respect. And her kidneys are completely healthy.”

Anna struggled to breathe. A ringing filled her ears.

“Then why aren’t they doing the operation?” the first asked.

“The patient refused. He said he’d rather die than let his wife find out about the mistress.”

There was a brief pause.

“And anonymous donation?” one of the nurses added uncertainly.

“Who knows… He’s dug his heels in. And from there on, it’s no longer our problem.”

“Poor wife…”

The voices faded away, and Anna stood there, unable to feel her legs. The world around her seemed to freeze. Only her heart thudded dully in her chest.

He was dying not because there was no way out. There was a way out. He had simply chosen silence.

Anna stared at the door to the intensive care unit, unable to understand what she felt more strongly—the pain of her husband’s betrayal and lies, or the relief that he could still be saved.