Chapter 4

"Zoe, you still need to apologize to Claire."

Ethan Williams' words rang in my ears like an irritating mosquito. The pain coursing through my body prevented me from even turning around.

"Zoe," he persisted, his voice tinged with frustration. "How many times must I repeat myself? These antics don't fool me. Stop evading your responsibilities."

His speech was mere background noise to me. The agony in my abdomen intensified, radiating like wildfire through my torso and into my very core. My knees buckled, and I gradually slumped to the floor.

It was only then that Ethan seemed to realize something was amiss. I glimpsed a momentary flash of concern in his face.

"Zoe, are you being genuine right now?" he questioned, wavering as if uncertain of my sincerity.

He finally moved to approach me, but before he could reach my side, a sudden, piercing cry erupted from behind him.

"Ouch! Mommy, are you alright?"

I shifted slightly to see Claire seated on the ground, gripping her ankle, her face contorted in discomfort as tears welled in her eyes.

Ethan instantly released my hand and whirled around to hurry to her aid.

I remained where I was, doubled over, perspiration dripping from my brow onto the ground, leaving dark splotches on the concrete. Gradually, the acute pain in my stomach began to lessen.

When I eventually managed to stand, the area around me was deserted.

My spouse—my husband—was kneeling beside another woman, his hands delicately touching her unblemished ankle, his expression filled with worry.

My esophagus burned, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. Five years of devotion and affection, squandered on a man who cared for me less than a canine. At least a dog would show enthusiasm when given attention. Ethan? He didn't even possess the heart of an animal.

Wordlessly, I marched toward the floral display bearing both our names. The garish stand towered, a symbol of all I had endured.

With a single, forceful shove, I sent it toppling to the ground.

The sound of flowers scattering and the collective gasps of bystanders filled the air. I was indifferent.

I walked to my vehicle, my gait unsteady, and drove off without a backward glance.

I found myself at the graveyard.

A beam of brilliant sunlight filtered through the foliage, landing squarely on a small headstone. The monochrome photograph on it glistened in the light, the boy in the image smiling warmly.

He bore a striking resemblance to Ethan—the same visage, the same eyes—but there was a gentleness to his expression that Ethan never possessed.

The sunlight made his smile appear lifelike, as if he were standing directly before me.

I crouched down and gently placed a bunch of white gypsophila on his grave. Then, as the tears I had been suppressing all day finally cascaded down, I murmured: "Jared... each year, I bring you celestial blossoms. But no matter how often I do, they'll never radiate as brightly as the ones in your gaze."

I paused, my voice cracking.

"Jared, I've at last come to visit you."

From my purse, I retrieved a folded document—a medical report.

I placed it before his photograph and continued, my voice quavering: "This isn't me surrendering, alright? But the physicians said... that even with treatment, I won't survive beyond a year."

I chuckled bitterly, dabbing at my eyes.

"So, I decided when the moment arrives, when I can no longer persevere, I'll come find you. We'll be reunited."

I attempted to smile, but my lips trembled.

"In a way, I'm thankful for this illness. It means I can finally depart this world—a world devoid of you. I don't have to keep pretending Ethan is you anymore. He may have your eyes, but he's nothing like you. Not even close."

My hand quivered as I reached out to touch Jared's image. If he were here, he'd likely chastise me for neglecting my health. But now, all he could do was smile at me from within the photograph, frozen in time.

He couldn't stop me now.

He couldn't prevent me from rushing toward the fate I'd always believed was ours.

But just as I closed my eyes, ready to let the silence envelop me, a voice shattered the tranquility.

"Who the hell did you just say I resemble?"

My eyes flew open, my heart pounding in my chest.