Chapter 7
“Didn’t I warn you? Just play along and you’ll get your money.
“How dare you say those things to her?”
No wonder I’d been avoiding him these past two days.
No wonder I took off the ring I never used to part with.
For the first time, Juliette knew what it felt like to suffocate. She clawed weakly at Johnson’s hands, but it was useless.
Charlie panicked and rushed over. “Johnson, let go! You’re gonna kill her!
“Maybe Adeline’s at home waiting for you right now. If there’s a misunderstanding, you two can talk it out…”
The mention of my name finally snapped Johnson back to his senses. With one last shove, he threw Juliette aside.
His voice was icy and mocking. “You like sending photos to show off, huh? Then I’m guessing you won’t mind if I send those photos and videos out, too.”
Juliette completely lost it. Ignoring the blood still dripping from her hand, she scrambled over and dropped to her knees beside him. “No…”
Johnson shoved her hand away, grabbed his coat, and stormed out.
She collapsed to the floor, knowing her life was over.
When Johnson got home, he headed straight for the guest room upstairs. But when his hand touched the doorknob, he stopped himself.
04.45
Chapter 7
He remembered what I’d said last night. “From now on, no one enters my room without my permission.”
He took a deep breath and forced his tone to soften. “Honey, are you in
there?
“I’m sorry. I messed up today. Just open the door, let me explain. Give me a chance to make it right..
“Honey, I haven’t been there for you like I should’ve. I take back what I said last night. Please, come out. Just see me, once.”
The room stayed silent.
Thinking I was angry, he stayed by the door, pouring his heart out, confessing everything he’d done wrong over the past year.
Thirty minutes passed. Still no sound. His voice was hoarse. Eyes red. But inside, the silence was deafening.
That was when he realized something was wrong.
No matter how mad I got, I never shut him out like this.
“Could it be..
He didn’t dare finish the thought. With trembling hands, he opened the door.
The room was empty. Everything looked normal–except for the suitcase. in the corner.
His face turned pale the second he opened it. Inside were all my clothes, neatly folded.
He didn’t want to believe it.
0445
He refused to believe I’d leave. But the suitcase said otherwise.
He pulled out his phone and dialed my number over and over.
Each time, the same cold, robotic voice crushed his last bit of hope.
“The number you’ve dialed is out of service. Please try again later…”
