Chapter 8

Lucas Ryan had confined himself to his home for ten days since his return.

His days were spent in an alcoholic fog, wandering aimlessly through the rooms we once shared.

He consumed every drop of liquor in the house.

When intoxicated, he would sit on the ground, talking to himself about things only he could perceive. At other times, he'd wrap himself in my old clothing, sobbing until he fell asleep.

He even retrieved the wedding band he had hidden in his wardrobe and began wearing it again.

During this period, Evelyn Snow and Mason repeatedly tried to contact him. Perhaps irritated by the constant ringing, he eventually destroyed his phone by throwing it against the wall.

I remained unmoved by this insincere display of sorrow.

After all, what good was it to value someone only after they were gone? It was too late for such gestures.