Chapter 9
When Victoria woke up again, harsh white light made her wince and squint.]
She turned her head slightly and saw Kerian sitting next to her bed–dark circles under his eyes, stubble covering his jaw, looking like complete hell.
The second he saw her eyes open, he shot up from his chair, his voice all raspy: Vic! Thank God, you’re awake!
Victoria didn’t say anything, just slowly looked away, refusing to meet his gaze.
Kerian’s throat tightened. He started to reach for her, then stopped himself, finally managing to croak out:
I’m so fucking sorry… what I did back there…”
Don’t.” Victoria’s voice was quiet but cold as ice.
Kerian froze, feeling like someone had dropped a boulder on his chest, making it impossible to breathe
For the next few days, he practically lived in that hospital room, but Victoria stayed completely silent–wouldn’t even look at him.[]
Sophia called nonstop during that time. Kerian declined every single call until the last day.
“Kerian!” Sophia burst into the room, eyes all red and grabbing his sleeve. “You promised you’d come to my graduation ceremony!
Kerian frowned: “Vic’s still recovering. I’m not leaving her.”
Sophia bit her lip, tears welling up: “Just today… just t again…1
this once, I’m begging you. After graduation, I’ll never ask you for anything
Kerian looked torn, glancing over at Victoria
Right then, Victoria’s phone buzzed.
Her visa had been approved
She calmly put her phone away and said flatly: “Just go.“]
Kerian looked shocked: “You’re not mad?”
Victoria shook her head.
Kenan relaxed, taking her hand with that gentle voice: Today’s Sophia’s graduation. After I get through the ceremony with her, 111 divorce her immediately and then… we can get married“]
He leaned down and kissed her fingertips softly: ‘I swear on my life, this time I won’t stand you up at city hall“]
Victoria didn’t respond, just quietly pulled her hand away.
Kerian took that as a yes and walked out with Sophia.
The moment the door closed, Victoria slowly shut her eyes and whispered: “But this time… I’m the one who’s not showing up.”
She forced her weak body out of bed, checked herself out of the hospital, picked up her visa from the embassy, and headed straight to the JFK.
Sitting at the gate, she pulled out her phone and stared at Kerian’s contact info.]]
There was a time when his number was pinned at the very top, saved as “Hubby
Now, she hit “delete” without hesitation, then powered off her phone.]]
As the plane climbed into the sky, Victoria stared out at the rolling clouds and suddenly remembered when she was sixteen–Kerian had promised her on the Coney Island Ferris wheel: []
Vic, you’re the only one I’ll ever want”
Turns out “Torever” was pretty short–only nine years from start to finish.
She pulled down the window shade, burying that name that had once meant everything to her over the Atlantic Ocean, along with all the tears she’d never cried
B
