Chapter 8
He kept calling over and over, not giving up. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a bag on the couch.
He flipped it upside down, dumping everything out.
Out spilled lipstick, a mirror, some medicine, and a payment receipt.
His eyes landed on the date. He did the math–it was the same day I called him, and Juliette picked up.
Johnson’s heart suddenly pounded as a sharp pain spread through his body.
“Abortion surgery payment receipt…”
The next second, he collapsed to the ground, staring at the list again and again.
If he hadn’t seen it, he wouldn’t have known–there was once a baby between us…
He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. In his heart, he was sure I must be waiting for him at the cemetery.
On the way there, he caught a glimpse of flames under a bridge. A car had crashed and caught fire.
He didn’t care. All he wanted was to get to the cemetery.
When he arrived, a few guards were huddled together, shivering.
He rushed over. “Is there still someone inside?”
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One guard shook his head, teeth chattering. “No one left…”
Rage shot up in Johnson’s chest. He grabbed the guard’s collar. “What do you mean, no one? I told you–someone was still trapped. I told you to save her!”
Another guard pointed toward the exit. “A woman just left, covered in blood, driving a black and white Rolls–Royce. There’s no one left inside
now…”
At that moment, Johnson’s phone rang.
“Mr. Burgini, we found a crash site under a bridge near the Mountain. View Cemetery. The license plate matches a car registered to your wife, Adeline Maretta.
“Can you come to the scene?”
Johnson couldn’t even remember how he got there.
All he could hear was the buzzing in his ears. His hands trembled uncontrollably.
He never imagined I’d leave him like this.
“Mr. Burgini, we didn’t find a body in the car. But… from that height, it’s possible she was thrown out. Rescue teams are searching. Please… stay strong.”
“Mr. Burgini? Can you hear me?”
“Mr. Burgini… Hey! Call an ambulance! He’s passed out!”
When Johnson woke up, the first thing he did was call my name.
“Adeline… my head hurts…”
Chapter
hm
He called again and again. But I didn’t come in with a glass of water like I
used to.
Outside the door, Betty knocked.
“Mr. Burgini, I was cleaning the fountain and found this… I think it’s Mrs. Burgini’s ring. The one she never took off…”
