hapter 4
Ever since the car accident last year, I haven’t dared to drive again. Maybe it’s some kind of trauma.
By the time I arrived at the cemetery the next day, I was two hours late.
Johnson’s face was dark, and everyone around him looked just as grim.
I knew I was in the wrong. I steadied my shaking hands and opened my mouth to apologize. “Sorry, I’m late, I…”
Charlie Hariett cut in first. “Adeline Maretta, seriously? You’re late even for Albert’s death anniversary?”
“Yeah, Juliette got here early. Lit candles, laid out flowers, and cleaned everything. But you, his wife, show up late like this? Really?”
“Exactly. You’re always late for events, fine. But today? A day like this? Feels like you don’t even care about Johnson at all.”
Johnson didn’t say a word, but his expression said enough.
Juliette gently patted their shoulders. “Come on, stop. Maybe something came up and Adeline got delayed.”
Then she handed the lit candle to me. “Don’t mind them, Adeline. They’re just joking.”
She sounded so natural, I almost thought she was the wife here.
I looked up at her and swallowed the urge to explain.
Forget it. Letting the misunderstanding stand is one way to say goodbye.
Chapter 4
Just as I reached for the candle, Charlie stepped in front of her protectively. “Juliette, stay away. What if she hurts you?”
Back when the cheating rumors between Johnson and Juliette started, I couldn’t accept it. I tried everything to separate them.
Johnson coldly said it was impossible. The next day, I had someone take
her away.
That night, Johnson came home with a knife and pressed it against my
neck.
“You’ve always wanted to die, right? If you don’t tell me where she is, I’ll help you out.”
Thinking about it now, I instinctively touched the scar on my neck. Then I smiled. “Never again. Once is enough to know what it feels like to have a knife to your throat.”
Guilt flickered in his eyes–but it was gone just as fast.
He glanced at Charlie and the others. “Enough. Let’s light the candle.”
I bent down, lit the candle in my hand, and stood before Albert’s grave, whispering silently in my heart.
“Albert, I didn’t mean to be late. Every Uber driver canceled once they saw the destination.
“I overcame my fear and drove myself. That’s why I was late.
“Albert, I’m divorcing Johnson.
“Sorry for letting you down.”
I opened my eyes and placed the lit candle by the headstone. A cool breeze swept past, and the melted wax dripped onto my hand.
Chapter 4
It burned. Like Albert was telling me, I made the wrong choice.
“What happened to your hand? Why is it bandaged?
“And where’s your ring?”
11
Johnson walked over, reaching out to grab my hand for a closer look.
Chapter 5
