Chapter 8
Guilt flashed across Lena’s face as she stammered:[]
1… I just dug up some information.“[]
“It’s not like it’s some big secret–anyone would know if they asked around.“[]
She bit her lip, tears glistening as she gazed at David:[]
“David, are you really angry over something so trivial?“[]
David didn’t look at her. He knelt down, trying to hold me.
I pushed him away with all my strength:[]
“Don’t… don’t touch me. You’re too dirty. Please don’t touch me!“[]
His hands hung in mid–air. After a long moment, they fell dejectedly to his sides.
Later, Richard and Maya came to take me away.[]
As I walked out the door, I spoke to David without turning around:[]
“Tomorrow at ten AM, meet me at the courthouse.“[]
Just as he started to speak, I cut him off:[]
“By the way, that night when I came upstairs looking for you two, my phone camera was still recording.”
“Wonder if it caught anything interesting.”
The door closed behind me, Lena’s pitiful sobs echoing from inside.[]
Walking out of the residential complex, Lena’s words still echoed in my mind.[]
All the strength seemed drained from my body. I couldn’t hold on anymore and collapsed into Richard’s arms. ns.
—0
Twelve years ago, summer after high school graduation.
My parents said they were taking me on a
trip to
Chicago.
The day before departure, I went to get shaved ice with David.
In the two hours I was gone, my father’s mistress showed up.
She came with her visibly pregnant belly, telling my mother she’d been with
my
father for years.
Now that she was pregnant, she wanted recognition for herself and her unborn child.
My mother already suffered from depression. This news sent her into complete breakdown.
She grabbed a kitchen knife, trying to hurt herself.[]
My father stepped in to stop her and accidentally got his artery slashed.]
After he collapsed, my mother knelt over him, laughing and crying hysterically, before cutting her own throat with the knife.[]
David and I had just returned from outside. He saw the scene first and immediately turned to cover my
eyes.
But I still saw it.
3AM Beti V
Chapter
They lay in the center of the living room, surrounded by unpacked suitcases.[]
Dark red blood flowed from their bodies, spreading all the way to my feet.[]
My innocence and happiness completely shattered.[]
For years, I couldn’t emerge from that shadow.[]
David stayed with me through it all.]
He said I was his first love and his only love.[]
He said we’d walk through school, marriage, all the way to the end of our lives together.[]
But now, before we reached the end, love had died first.[]
-0
After officially filing our no–fault divorce papers and completing all procedures at the courthouse, I finally felt relief–like a massive weight had been lifted from my chest.
Walking out of the gray judicial building that housed family court, David spoke quietly:
“I never told Lena about your situation.”
“She heard it from mutual friends. Those details were her own sick fantasies.”
“I never hated you either. You were the first person I loved, and the last… I’m not lying about that.“[]
“Stop making me sick, David.“]
I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound dripping with sarcasm.
“David, do you still think you’re some romantic hero?”
“Cheating while loving‘ me–does that make you feel less despicable?“[]
“Or have you been playing the faithful husband so long you can’t tell reality from performance?”
“I wasn’t performing. I really-
“Enough, David! Stay away from me. Whether you love me doesn’t matter anymore!“]
“Because your love‘ is worthless.”
He fell silent, something unfathomably desperate hiding in his pupils.
“When the cooling–off period ends, don’t forget to come back
and
With that, I turned and walked away without looking back.[]
I sign the final papers. Richard has already drafted the agreement.“]]
(0)
