Chapter 17
At 3 AM, Kerian stood outside the Hamptons house, key halfway in the lock but unable to turn it.]]
Rain dripped from his hair, soaking dark stains into his expensive suit jacket.
He’d been standing outside for two hours, getting completely drenched, before finally working up the courage to push open the door.
The motion sensor lights flicked on automatically, casting warm yellow light on the empty shoe rack-
Where Victoria’s entire collection used to live. Jimmy Choos, beat–up Converse, those ridiculous fuzzy UGG slippers she wore constantly.
Now it was just his dress shoes sitting there all neat and pathetic.]]
Kerian peeled off his soaked jacket and walked barefoot across the hardwood.
The cold floor sent chills straight to his core, reminding him of how Victoria always complained it was too cold, making him carry her to the couch
-Vic…“[
Sith no answer.
His voice echoed through the empty house with no
Dust had settled on the dining room table, and the wilted roses in the crystal vase hadn’t been changed in months.
Those were the last flowers he’d bought her–three months and seven days ago
Kerian stumbled to the bar and grabbed a bottle of bourbon.
His hands shook so badly as he poured that amber liquid splashed across the marble countertop.
The alcohol hit his system and suddenly he was sobbing uncontrollably.
“You’re the one who hurt Victoria the most!”
Sophia’s
‘s cruel laughter echoed in his head, mixing with the booze and tearing his heart’apart
He was the piece of shit who’d ditched their wedding day to take another woman to fucking Disney World.
He was the one who’d given away Victoria’s birthday cake and all the attention that should’ve been hers.
And he was the one who’d thrown himself toward someone else when that bomb went off, leaving Victoria bleeding and alone []
Kerian downed the entire glass, the liquor burning down his throat, but it couldn’t touch the agony in his chest
He stumbled upstairs and stopped outside Victoria’s bedroom door.
Their stupid matching keychains from Six Flags were still hanging on the door handle–Mickey and Minnie grinning like morons
*Click 1
The moment the door opened, Victoria’s scent hit him like a punch to the gut.]
Kerian’s legs gave out and he collapsed onto the carpet
Everything was exactly how she’d left in-
Her mystery novel face–down on the nightstand, a cherry blossom bookmark peeking out
0
Skincare products lined up perfectly on her vanity, with a half–used lipstick lying among the bottles.
The closet door was cracked open, a few nightgowns hanging casually inside, waiting for someone who was never coming home[]
Kenan reached out with trembling fingers and touched one of the silk nightgowns ||
The soft fabric slipped through his palm, and suddenly he remembered last winter when Victoria had run to his study barefoot in this exact gown, bringing him coffee.[]
She’d just gotten out of the shower, her hair still dripping, smelling like vanilla body wash.]
He’d pulled her onto his lap, laughing: “Aren’t you freezing in that?”
She’d blushed and buried her face in his neck: “Not when you’re keeping me warm.”
The memory was so vivid it felt like getting stabbed. Kerian jerked his hand back and grabbed the bourbon bottle, drinking straight from it
Alcohol dripped down his chin onto his shirt, but he felt no warmth at all.
Rain pounded harder against the windows.
When Victoria was sixteen, he’d officially asked her to be his girlfriend
They’d both been so young and awkward. The roses he’d stolen from his mom’s garden had wilted from sitting in his locker all day.
But she hadn’t cared at all, just grabbed his hands and swung them playfully:||
“Oh my God, Kerian, I’d date you even if you proposed with dandelions!”
And now he’d fucked up so bad he’d lost her forever.
Kerian swayed to his feet and walked to Victoria’s desk.
Her journals were stacked neatly in the drawer, each one labeled with the year.[]
Something made him grab the newest one and nip to the last entry-
“Went to city hall for the ninth time today. He didn’t show up again.”
“Telt sick today so I went to the hospital alone. The nurse asked if anyone was
coming to get me. I said no.“]]
“Actually, there is someone. He’s just busy taking someone else to see the ocean.
“Kenan, I’m so tired… I’m done waiting”
te was the
The date
the day they were supposed to get married]
Kerian’s vision blurred as his stomach suddenly cramped with crushing pain.
He curled up on the carpet, the bottle rolling away from his hand
Dark liquid spread across the white rug, looking exactly like the blood from Victoria’s accident.[]
He’d hurt her so many times without even realizing it.
Made the girl he’d loved most suffer so much heartbreak.
“I’m sorry… Vic… I’m so fucking sorry…
He pressed his hands to his stomach, but couldn’t stop the spasms.
Cold sweat soaked through his shirt as everything started spinning
In his delirium, he saw sixteen–year–old Victoria standing in sunlight, smiling at him with that sweet, innocent face that had made him fall so hard.
Kerian! Come on! The Ferris wheel’s starting
He tried to reach for her but there was nothing there
The pain swallowed his consciousness as Kerian collapsed beside Victoria’s bed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Vic… I know I fucked up… I miss y
you so goddamn much.
