My Fiancee Wants Two Husbands

The grand finale of my ten-year plan started with a violent shudder of the fuselage.

We were thirty thousand feet in the air when the turbulence hit, sharp and jagged. As the oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling with a synchronized snap, my heart hammered against my ribsnot from fear of the plane going down, but from the weight of the velvet box in my pocket.

I reached out, grabbing her hand instinctively. This was it. The moment I had rehearsed a thousand times in my head.

Kate, I choked out, my voice thick with adrenaline. As long as we land safely, I promise Ill

Dan, Im pregnant.

She interrupted me with a sob that sounded more like a confession than a celebration. Her eyes were darting everywhere but mine, her fingers twitching in my grip.

For a split second, a surge of pure, unadulterated joy nearly blinded me. I was going to be a father. I was going to have everything Id ever worked for. But before I could even draw breath to respond, her next words nailed me to my seat, turning my blood to ice.

Its Ricks.

The cabin felt like it was spinning faster than the plane. Rick. My best friend. My brother in every way that mattered.

I was going to have his baby first, she whispered, the coldness in her voice more terrifying than the descent. And then I was going to have yours... but looking at this, it seems weve run out of time.

As the words left her mouth, she didn't look at me again. She pulled her hand away, snapped her oxygen mask over her face, and threw herself into the arms of the man sitting across the aisle. Rick. He didn't even flinch. He just pulled her in, shielding her body with his, leaving me staring at the back of her head, the odd man out in my own life.

Then, the weightlessness vanished. The plane hit the tarmac with a soft thud, taxied for a moment, and came to a smooth stop.

The cabin lights flooded the space. On cue, the "passengers" and "flight crew" I had spent months hiring and prepping stood up. They hoisted bouquets of red roses and glowing LED signs. The words MARRY ME flashed in bright, obnoxious neon.

The cheering died in the air, curdling into an uncomfortable silence. Dozens of eyes shifted from the romantic display to the three of us frozen in the center of the aisle.

Kate stared at the signs for a few seconds. Slowly, a twisted, eerie smile spread across her face.

Ill marry you, she said.

She paused, her gaze dropping to Ricks hand resting protectively over her stomach. She looked back at me, her tone as casual as if she were ordering a drink.

On one condition. Rick and the baby... they live with us. Thats my deal. Take it or leave it.

The silence in the cabin was graveyard-still.

The ring box in my hand felt like a piece of white-hot coal, searing my palm, the heat radiating all the way to my bones. I looked at themmy fiance and the man Id called my brotherfingers still entwined.

Kate, my voice sounded like it belonged to a stranger, raw and broken. If it weren't for this accident, how long were you and Rick planning on lying to me?

Rick stepped forward, half-shielding Kate.

Dan, look. This is on me, Rick said, his voice dripping with a practiced, performative guilt. I couldn't help myself. Don't blame Kate. Shes been in so much pain over this...

My eyes locked onto the faint purple bruise of a hickey on his neck.

While I was pulling all-nighters in the lab, checking experimental data, and bleeding my soul dry for research grants to build our future, how many times had they been together behind my back?

Pain? My laugh was dry and jagged. So much pain that shes carrying your child?

My fist moved before my brain did.

The blow caught Rick square in the jaw.

Rick! Kate screamed, lunging for him. She cradled his face in her hands, blowing on the swelling skin with a tenderness that felt like a knife to my gut. The worry in her eyes, the sheer panic for himit was a level of devotion shed never shown me.

Are you crazy, Daniel! she shrieked.

Rick caught her hand, shaking his head. He looked at me, and for a fleeting second, I saw it: the smug, victors pity in his eyes.

Kate wanted to tell you, Rick said, wiping a smear of blood from his lip. But we didn't want to hurt you. I was willing to stay in the shadows, just to be near her. I didn't care about the credit.

But today, Kate took over, her voice hardening, it made me realize theres no point in hiding. In those seconds when I thought we were going to die, I realized that in my next life, I want to find Rick first. I want to be with him openly. I want to fix the regret of this life.

The world was graying at the edges.

But Dan, we have... history. Years of it, Kate said, her voice softening into that manipulative, soulful tone she used whenever she wanted something.

It was the same voice shed used last night, curled against my chest, planning our ten-year anniversary trip to the Maldives. It was a mask she wore so well it made my skin crawl.

I don't want to hurt anyone, she whispered.

You don't want to hurt anyone? So Im just supposed to wear the horns and say thank you?

I looked around at the scattered petals, the MARRY ME signs, the actors Id paid, and the two lovers clinging to each other. The ring box groaned under the pressure of my grip.

I raised my hand and, with every ounce of strength I had left, hurled it down the aisle.

I turned to walk away.

Daniel!

Kates voice sharpened behind me, dripping with derision.

I honestly didn't think a boring lab rat like you had it in him. Renting a plane, hiring actors... quite the production. Must have cost a fortune, right?

I froze, my back stiff.

And you just throw the ring? Was my money not good enough for you? She walked around to face me, looking me up and down with pure contempt. Daniel, you and I both know what you make in research. Whos been paying the mortgage? Whos been subsidizing your little science projects? And now youre playing the romantic hero with my credit card?

She crossed her arms, her chin tilted high. One word from me, and your cards are cut off. Lets see how long that integrity of yours lasts when youre sleeping on the street.

The actors around us weren't holding back anymore. The whispers and snickers started to ripple through the cabin.

Wait, so hes a gold digger?

I thought he was some deep, romantic soul. Turns out hes just spending her money to look good.

A researcher? Please. Probably just a glorified janitor in a lab coat.

Kate saw the smirk on my face and took it as a win.

Ive changed my mind, she said. Since Im having Ricks baby, it makes more sense for him to be my husband. He has the people skills to help me run the business anyway. As for you... you can stay. Rick will be the husband. You can be the side piece. After all these years, Id hate to see you go hungry. You can keep your little lab salary for pocket change. I wont even ask for rent.

The laughter, the mocking whispersthey felt like a thousand needles pricking my skin.

I stood there in the wreckage of my own proposal. Listening to the woman Id loved for a decade tell me how she was going to "mercifully" keep me as her kept man.

She didn't know that the cost of the plane and the actors came from the first licensing check for my new energy patent.

She didn't know that the ring Id thrown away was bought with my "Excellence in Technology" award money.

And she would never know that the only reason her company landed those massive government contracts last year was because of the technical white papers Id ghostwritten for her. Or that the German production line she almost lost was saved because Id spent four days straight in the lab rewriting the core logic for the reaction modules.

I had wanted to use my own, clean money to give her a dream. To thank her for being by my side.

How pathetic. To her, I was just a boring nerd shed been "subsidizing."

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. What was the point? Shed just tell me that my "academic theories" weren't as valuable as Ricks ability to close a deal over drinks.

I knelt down, picked up the lonely diamond ring from the floor, and felt a profound, hollow emptiness.

I was walking through the jet bridge alone when my phone buzzed. It was the hospital.

Mr. Daniel? Your brother, Evan... hes in acute hemolysis. He needs Rh-negative blood immediately. The bank is empty, but we found a directed donor in the system. He said he needs to speak with you personally before hell sign the release.

I stopped dead. I could transfer money in a heartbeat, but blood...

Dan? Why the long face?

Kates voice floated from behind me. She was leaning on Rick, looking at me like she finally held the leash.

My knuckles turned white around my phone. The only person who could save my brother was currently holding my woman.

Rick, the word felt like it was being pulled out of my throat with pliers. My brother needs blood. Rh-negative. The hospital says... youre the donor.

Rick cocked an eyebrow. He didn't say a word.

Kate laughed. Is that how you ask for a favor? You were pretty big and bad when you were swinging your fists a minute ago.

I looked at the bruise on Ricks face and took a breath that burned my lungs. The punch... Im sorry. I was out of line.

An apology? Thats it? Kate squeezed Ricks arm. Look at his face! Do you have any idea how taxing it is on the body to give blood? You think you can just hit him and then expect him to save your family?

Rick finally spoke. Dan, weve been friends a long time. I want to help, I do. But Im really not feeling well. My head is spinning from that hit. The doctor told me I needed rest after Kates prenatal checkup.

I looked at his smug, lying face.

What do you want? I asked.

Kate stepped in. Get on your knees. Apologize to Rick properly. Hit yourself until he feels like the debt is paid. Then maybe hell feel healthy enough to donate.

The actors went silent. Everyone was watching.

For Evan. For my brother. My knees hit the cold, hard floor of the jet bridge.

I bowed my head. Then, I swung my hand against my own face.

The sound of the slap echoed through the tunnel. Again. And again. Each one felt like I was shattering the last piece of my dignity.

Kates phone rang. she stepped aside to take the call.

Rick knelt down, leaning close to my ear. The "nice guy" mask was gone, replaced by pure, venomous malice.

By the way, he whispered, two months ago, when you were pulling those seven-day shifts for your patent? Kate and I used every room in your house. The kitchen, your office, the living room... shes a screamer, Dan. When you came home, she could barely stand to open the door for you.

My hand faltered for a second.

And this morning, he breathed against my ear, in the airport lounge. She was so scared youd walk in on us that she scratched my back raw. Want to see?

Crack. I slapped myself again. My face was burning, but the shame was hotter.

Remember your moms funeral? his voice was light, joyful. We both said we were too busy to go. But Kate had that emerald bracelet your mom gave her as an heirloom... the one for the future daughter-in-law? We used that as a prop that day. It was cold against her skin. She loved it.

I froze. Every drop of blood in my body rushed to my head.

You son of a

I lunged for his throat, my fist cocked.

Daniel! Stop!

Kate screamed, rushing over and shoving me back, shielding Rick. Are you a monster? Hes trying to help you, and youre attacking him again?

Rick instantly collapsed into a look of hurt and "forgiveness." Its okay, Kate. Hes just stressed about his brother...

Stress isn't an excuse! Kate glared at me. I cant believe I ever loved you. Rick has been nothing but a friend to you. He brought you medicine when you were sick, he drank with you when your projects failed, he even ignored his own stomach pains to take care of you! And what do you do? You throw tantrums and hit people.

I thought about all those "kindnesses." I thought about the night Rick told me hed found "the one" and Id toasted to his happiness.

The "one" had been my wife-to-be.

The rage was a physical weight in my chest, but then I saw Evans pale face in my mind.

The blood... I croaked. Please. Just give the blood. Ill do whatever you want.

Fine, Kate said, rubbing her stomach with a sneer. After I have the baby, youre on diaper duty. Twenty-four-seven. Youre our help.

She leaned in. After all, the kid is going to call you Step-Dad eventually.

Okay, I whispered, surrendering to the dark.

On the flight back to the city, Kate was fussing over Ricks bruise. My face was swollen and purple, but she never even looked my way.

I closed my eyes, and the memories came back like broken glass. I was the one who introduced them. Rick was struggling with work, and Id put my reputation on the line to get him a job at Kates company. Hes my brother, I told her. You can trust him with your life.

The signs had been there. Rick picking the cilantro out of her food because I "didn't know how to take care of her." Kate giving him my jacket during a hike because he "looked cold." The night the power went out at the cabin and I found them standing way too close on the balcony...

I was blind.

We landed and raced to the hospital. But as I was dragging Rick toward the transfusion wing, Kates phone rang.

What? The production line is down? The CEO is there in person? ... Fine, Im on my way!

She hung up, frantic. She looked at Rick, then at me. Rick, I have to go handle the company. Help Dan with the blood, then call me when youre done.

She turned to me, her voice cold. Dont overtax him, Daniel. Hes not made of steel.

Then she was gone.

In the hallway, it was just me and Rick.

Can we go now? I demanded.

The fake worry on Ricks face vanished the moment Kate was out of sight.

Whats the rush? My heart rate is still high from the flight. You cant draw blood when the donor is stressed. Basic biology, right, Professor?

Rick! I stepped toward him.

Push me, he said quietly, and Ill faint right here. The doctors wont touch a donor whos unconscious.

I stood there, paralyzed, my fists shaking.

Thats better. He smirked, sat down on a waiting room bench, and pulled out his phone to play a game.

I couldn't just wait for him. While we were at the airport, Id used every contact I had. Id posted a $20,000 reward on social media for anyone with Rh-negative blood who could get to the hospital in thirty minutes.

As Rick sat there wasting time, a courier messaged me. He was a match. He was five minutes away.

A tiny spark of hope flickered in my chest. I watched the entrance like a hawk.

Rick glanced at me, said nothing, and stepped into the stairwell to "take a call."

Twenty minutes passed. Thirty. The courier never showed. I called him, but the line went straight to voicemail.

I looked at Rick as he walked back out of the stairwell, a faint, satisfied smile on his lips.

It was him. Hed paid the guy off.

Looks like your backup plan failed, he said, sitting back down. I guess youre stuck with me. But... oh, man. I think Im getting a migraine. I need another hour.

The despair was a physical flame in my throat.

Just then, the double doors of the OR swung open. The doctor stepped out, his eyes heavy with defeat behind his mask.

Family of Evan?

Here! Im his brother! I ran to him, my heart hammering against my teeth.

The doctor shook his head. Acute hemolysis led to multi-organ failure. We missed the window for the transfusion... Im so sorry for your loss.

I stood there, frozen. My last living relative. Gone.

Even after I knelt. Even after I humiliated myself. He was gone.

I lunged for Rick, the grief turning into a white-hot madness. I wanted to kill him. Rick immediately curled into a ball, playing the victim. Security tackled me to the ground.

While they held me down, Rick was escorted out, looking "shaken" and "traumatized."

I spent the next few hours in a blur, handling the paperwork for my brothers body. I sat on a plastic chair in the morgue hallway, pulled out my phone, and opened an email that had been sitting in my inbox for weeks.

I typed a reply to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich:

I accept. Ill be there by the end of the week.

There was nothing left for me in this city.