Chapter 9
Johnson opened the door and took the ring from Betty’s hand.
“How long was I out?”
“Three days. Mr. Hariett brought you back from the hospital.
“And the storage room upstairs… You should take a look.”
It was the first time he’d stepped into that room. When he pushed open the door, he saw package after package neatly lined up on the floor.
All of them filled with photos of him and Juliette–close, intimate–taken over the past year.
Johnson rubbed the cheap ring in his hand, his voice hoarse but still holding on to a shred of hope.
“Did… did Adeline come back?”
Betty shook her head. “No. But the police said they didn’t find a body nearby.
“Many people think… Mrs. Burgini might still be alive.”
That single sentence kept Johnson breathing for the next four years.
The fourth year after leaving Oakland, I came back to settle something.
The moment the plane touched down, memories surged.
Beside me, my little daughter Michelle tugged on my hand, eyes
(4.46)
sparkling. “Mommy, this place is so pretty!”
While we were waiting for our luggage, a surprised voice came from beside us.
“Ade… Adeline? You’re alive?”
I adjusted my sunglasses and looked toward the speaker. He seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite place him.
Sensing my cold attitude, he quickly pulled out his phone and showed me a photo.
“I was class president. Back in college!”
I finally took off my sunglasses and held out a hand. “Nice to see you.”
He let out a breath. “God, you have no idea–Johnson has been going crazy looking for you all these years!”
Then his eyes drifted to Michelle by my side, confused. “And she is…”
I smiled and scooped her up into my arms. “This is my daughter.”
She gave a sweet little wave. “Hi, nice to meet you!”
He nodded in surprise, still staring at me. “Right! Tomorrow’s our college reunion. Since you’re back, maybe…”
I pulled my luggage off the belt and nodded. “Sure. Send me the address. I’ll be there.”
After all, I came back for one reason–to see Johnson.
The reunion was set at the tallest, most luxurious building in Oakland. The same place where Johnson once proposed to me.
Chapter 9
When I pushed open the private room door with Michelle in my arms, the noise instantly died.
“Adeline?”
“Am I seeing things? Isn’t she dead?”
“She came back from the dead? Or are my eyes playing tricks on me? No way someone survives a fall like that.”
I lowered my gaze, remembering that night four years ago-
The car had smashed through the guardrail and plunged off the bridge.
I thought I was done for
But I only blacked out for a few minutes before I came to.
Smoke was already filling the car. It could explode any second. I had been. ready to die.
But just then, someone pulled the door open.
A pair of strong arms dragged me out.
Right before I lost consciousness again, I heard a sigh by my ear. “For a man that unfaithful… was it really worth it?”
