The QR Code on My Tombstone

It's been three years since I left this world.

My ex-girlfriend, Cara, now an A-list actress, was in the middle of a

paranormal investigation livestream.

Her camera accidentally swept across my tombstone. Engraved on it was a QR code

next to the words, A Final Farewell.

When Cara saw it, her face twisted in disgust. She turned to the camera

with a cold sneer.

Blake, you were the one who insisted on breaking up. What is this? Another

pathetic stunt to get my attention? she said.

She then told her audience that she had moved on, that she was in love with her

co-star, Owen.

In the live chat, comments flooded in, calling me the obsessive, clingy ex who

couldnt let go.

Then, one comment caught everyones eye: "Has anyone scanned the QR code? I

think I think he might actually be gone."

1

Seeing that comment, Caras famously cool and collected expression

hardened with even more annoyance. Hell do anything to get under my skin,

wont he?

The chat lit up with jokes: [The only person who can crack Caras ice-queen

facade is her crazy ex.] [Seriously. Hes the one who dumped her. Now that shes

famous, he crawls out of the woodwork every chance he gets.] [Yeah, I heard he

sent her letters and gifts just last week. No way hes dead.]

Amid the audiences skepticism, a member of the production crew scanned the

code, and a pre-recorded video began to play on the main feed.

The first shot was of me, holding a medical report confirming a cancer

diagnosis. I let out a forced, easygoing sigh. Hey. Today is day one of my

diagnosis. Its also day one of our breakup. Happy breakup day, Cara! Forgive

me for being so abrupt about it. The last thing I want is to drag you down with

me.

I was wearing a crisp shirt, trying to look sharp and handsome, but it couldn't

hide the deathly pallor of my skin. Let me guess, youre heartbroken, right?

Career in a slump and getting dumped at the same time thats gotta suck. But

hey, youll bounce back. I know you will.

As the video played, my predictions were proven true. Someone in the chat had

dug up Caras old social media posts. In the days following our breakup,

she had posted a string of bleak, melancholic updates. The discovery that the

industrys resident ice queen had once been so vulnerable and deeply in love

sent her trending for days.

Back then, Cara had quickly hidden those old posts, leaving only one public

statement: [I have someone better by my side now.]

At the time, her historical drama had just become a massive hit. Her co-star was

the industry's rising heartthrob, Owen. He had even liked that post. Cara

did seem to move on quickly, much to her fans relief.

But dont worry, my video-self continued. I have no intention of bothering

you. I just wanted to leave something behind. Ive never asked you for

anything, ever. But just this once let me be selfish.

As I said those words, my voice caught, a choked sob breaking through. The

confident, charming man from the start of the video dissolved, replaced by a

fragile, lost little boy. Perhaps not wanting anyone to see me so exposed, I

abruptly cut the video.

[Date: April 9, 2019. Weather: Overcast. Hate lasts longer than love.]

Day two. Its an overcast day. Perfect for feeling miserable, right? I was in

my pajamas, holding my phone up to show Caras sad posts while I brushed my

teeth. Looks like shes really hurting. But Im sure shell get over it soon!

My tone was light, a gentle smile fixed on my face.

The live chat erupted in defense of Cara: [Cara was heartbroken over him

for so long, and all he can say is shell get over it? Youd have more

feelings for a dog youd had for seven years. What a monster!] [Exactly. He

doesnt even look sick. This is all a publicity stunt. I hope he gets whats

coming to him.] [Dude, just die already and stop torturing our girl!]

In the video, I fell silent after that comment. The camera panned down to my

phone screen, showing a message Id sent to Cara from an alt account: [Even

when youre sad, please remember to eat and rest. A fan who will always support

you!]

Her reply came almost instantly: [There was only ever one person who paid that

much attention to me. Did you really think I wouldn't recognize you just because

you used a burner account?] [So, Blake. What are you trying to prove with this

pathetic act? Are you here to laugh at me?]

I stared at her words, frozen. A long moment passed before I slowly typed back:

[Yeah. Its exactly what you think.]

No reply came. When I refreshed the page, I saw that she had blocked me. The

chat cheered: [YES! Our queen knows her worth. She deserves so much better!]

[This must be when she developed her killer instinct and cool-headedness. We

should thank this asshole for that.] [Im so curious about what the old Cara was

like, though.] [Dont be. That must have been the darkest time of her life.]

The angry comments scrolling across the screen obscured the corner of the frame,

where the boy clutched his phone, his eyes rimmed with red.

[Date: May 2, 2019. Weather: Sunny. I want you to be happy more than anyone.]

Today cough I came to see you in secret. The moment the boy in the video

appeared, the stream of hateful comments came to a sudden halt. Surprised to

see me like this? To be honest, Im not used to it either. It took a lot of

courage to even turn the camera on. The boy was wearing an awkward wig, and his

cheeks were terrifyingly thin, but the same gentle smile was on his face. The

camera showed the set of Caras breakout TV series, the one where she

played the second female lead opposite Owen, who was also a supporting actor at

the time.

Amid a crowd of fans cheering for the main actress, I stood in a quiet corner,

holding a small sign with Caras name on it, watching her act. She was more

mature, her features sharper, her presence more commanding. The cheers for the

lead actress grew louder. In the chaotic roar, on some strange impulse, I called

out Caras name. The next second, as if shed heard me through the noise,

she looked up. Our eyes met. I ducked my head instantly, my heart hammering

against my ribs. I didnt even wait for the scene to end before I turned and

fled.

Phew I dont think she saw me. I was hiding in an alley, catching my breath,

glad Id gotten away. Suddenly, a firm hand clamped down on my wrist. We broke

up. Is it fun for you to stalk me now, Blake? Cara was panting, her brow

furrowed in anger. But as she took in my face, her expression faltered. You

havent you been sleeping?

I quickly composed myself, turning my head away. Thats right, I said, my

voice cold. I have a new girlfriend. She keeps me up all night. A lot more

exciting than you ever were. Rage flared in Caras eyes. Blake! You son of

a She cut herself off. Owens voice came from behind her. Cara? Whyd you run

off mid-scene? The director is furious. Are you okay? Cara let out a long,

heavy breath and released my wrist. Youre the one who said anyone who betrays

a true heart deserves a thousand cuts. Forget it. Just dont come back here

again.

I kept my head down, silent. She turned to leave. Owen was still asking, Who

was that? A friend of yours? Caras voice was clear and chillingly

indifferent: Just someone unimportant. A bitter tide rose in my chest. When I

looked up again, my vision was blurred with tears. See? I told you. You were

always going to be great. You were right. Im the one who betrayed us. So let

all the bad karma come to me. All I want is for you to be happy

[Date: June 3, 2019. Weather: Sunny. Not a hard decision.]

A sophisticated man sat across from me at a caf table. He took an elegant sip

of his coffee. You want to hire me as Caras agent? You know my rates

arent cheap. Someone in the chat recognized him. It was Marcus Vance, the

legendary agent. With him in her corner, Caras career had skyrocketed. She

had thanked him publicly more than once, but his only response was always a

cryptic: It was a business arrangement. In the studio, watching the

livestream, the real Marcus Vance looked up, his eyes slowly turning red.

In the video, I nodded firmly and pushed a bank card across the table. Marcus,

theres ninety-seven thousand, six hundred and thirty-six dollars in there. Its

every penny I have. Marcuss eyes flickered to the card, his voice unchanged.

Im a businessman, you know that. This isnt nearly enough for me to tie my

career to some unknown actress. I bit my lip. Then, I reached up and took off

my wig, revealing my emaciated, sickly face underneath. It was the first time I

had shown myself on camera without any disguise since I got sick. The live chat

fell into a stunned silence.

Marcus, Ill be honest with you. I have stomach cancer. I dont have much time

left. Shes the only thing I cant let go of. I believe in her. I know she can

make it big. I know this money isnt enough to persuade you. But Ill give you

the rights to this entire video series Im making. After Im gone, whatever it

earns can be my payment. What do you say? I looked at him, my voice pleading.

Marcus stared at me for a long time, then finally spoke. And what about you?

Youve planned everything for her. Are you just going to fade away and die? If

you used this money for treatment, you might live longer He trailed off. I

just shook my head, a faint smile on my lips. I cant be a burden to her. Weve

already been through enough. Its okay. Im not afraid of dying. Im just

afraid of her crying if she sees me like this. My face was calm, but the tremor

in my voice betrayed me. A heavy silence filled the caf. Marcus looked up,

blinking hard, and took a deep breath. Okay, he said. Ill do it.