Chapter 5
How did he manage to find this place?
After a moment, I locked my phone and headed downstairs.
Somehow, making a point felt much more satisfying when done face- to–face.
The second I opened the front door, I spotted Lucas under a tree not far
away.
When he heard the door creak, his head snapped up, and his eyes brightened immediately.
“Sharon!” he called out, rushing over and grabbing my hand.
“I knew you still cared. I knew you wouldn’t leave me like that.”
I didn’t pull away. I wanted to see just how shameless he could be.
“Let me explain“, he said softly, almost like he was scared to upset me.
“I haven’t done anything wrong here. I never betrayed you, and I’ve never hurt you. The baby she is carrying isn’t mine.
“There’s nothing improper between us. I only helped her for Andrew’s sake since she’s expecting his child…
“Sharon, you know you’re the one I love the most. When I had that bad fever, you even went to get a lucky charm for me. You must care about
me too.
“Now that everything is clear, can we try to be together again?”
Lucky charm?
I scoffed inside.
A year ago, Lucas was seriously sick with a fever that lasted seven days. Even the doctors couldn’t help him at first.
Desperate, I tried every option and found out a new monastery had opened nearby. People said it worked wonders.
I went there, hoping for a miracle.
According to the monastery’s rules, anyone seeking a charm must climb a hundred steps, dropping to their knees and bowing at each one, without stopping or turning back halfway.
I had never done anything physically demanding before, but I pushed myself and kept climbing.
By the time I got to the last steps, I was drenched in sweat, my knees were scraped and bleeding, and my forehead was swollen and sore.
After getting the charm, I collapsed on the spot from exhaustion.
All I could think was to hold on to the charm tightly and bring it back to Lucas.
When I woke up in the hospital, I didn’t waste time. Still wearing my hospital gown, I rushed home and hid the charm under Lucas’s pillow.
I didn’t know if it was the monastery or the doctor’s medicine that really helped, but slowly, he got better.
x
When he saw the cuts on my knees, he crouched next to me with tears in his eyes, guilt written all over his face.
“I’m sorry, Sharon. You’ve been through so much.
“I promise I’ll take good care of the charm. I swear, I’ll never disappoint you. I’ll treat you right–always.”
At that moment, I believed him.
But then, Doris pushed us to divorce again–for the fourth time.
She said charms were superstitions that could harm the baby she was carrying.
She said I was a bad woman for having the charm in the house.
She made a huge scene.
The moment Lucas gave me that doubtful stare, I realized he had once again given in to Doris.
They burned the charm right then, and that afternoon we went to the courthouse.
Even now, just remembering that moment makes my chest hurt.
I felt sick to my stomach and pulled away from his hand with disgust.
“You’ve got the nerve to talk about the charm now? Who are you trying to fool with that fake look on your face?
“Just seeing your face makes me want to throw up, Lucas.”
Before I could say more, he pleaded with red eyes and a shaky voice.
“I’m sorry, Sharon. I only took care of Doris because the baby is Andrew’s last legacy. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I swear, I realize now I messed up.
“But I’m in a really bad place. The company’s going under, and if I don’t get an investor, we’ll go bankrupt.
“I can’t lose everything. I can’t imagine my life without you. Sharon, I’m still in love with you…”
“Love me?” I repeated with a bitter laugh.
“Fine. If you love me that much, then prove it. Go repay your debt.
“I’ll consider it if you get to the monastery by six in the morning.
“A hundred steps, no less.”
“Alright! I’ll go! I’ll do it, as long as it means you’ll forgive me.”
He got up in a panic, gave me one last intense look, then rushed off and drove away.
