Chapter 5

"Marry me?" I mumbled, before landing a punch on Palmer's face, who was snickering behind Krista, as everyone looked on in shock.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Marvin!" Krista, after a moment of bewilderment, immediately shielded Palmer. She glared at me furiously, her eyes filled with such hatred it seemed she wanted to cut me into a thousand pieces.

I withdrew my fist, took out the ring from my bag, and forcefully threw it at Krista's face.

"Marry you? Did I ever agree to marry you?"

"Marvin!" As Krista's roar echoed, I dragged my numb body away.

"If you dare walk out that door today, don't you dare regret it!"

"Don't be angry, sis Krista. Men are just jerks, especially those who've been to jail. Just give him the cold shoulder for a couple of days, and he'll come crawling back to apologize."

Krista's angry shouts and the murmurs of the crowd gradually faded. I walked on the street, seemingly oblivious, my steps unsteady.

The street was bustling with New Year's Day festivities, but my heart was desolate.

Following the address given by the neighbor lady, I found my mom's grave.

Mom lay quietly in the snow, her photo on the tombstone as gentle as ever.

I gently brushed off the snow from the white daisies, warm tears falling on the back of my hand.I fantasized countless times about reuniting with my mom after being released from prison. I even dreamed of her beaming with joy as she watched me embrace my happiness at my wedding with Krista.

But now those dreams have shattered, leaving only sharp fragments scattered on the ground.

I collapsed to my knees, gradually breaking down into uncontrollable sobs.

Even though I had done nothing wrong, I was forced to suffer while those who hurt me lived carefree, happy lives. For the first time, intense hatred welled up inside me.

Accompanied by the crunch of footsteps in the snow, a familiar voice spoke behind me.

"147, long time no see."

By the time I returned to the home Krista and I once shared, it was already late at night. The New Year's couplets and red "fu" character for good fortune by the door seemed particularly jarring in the harsh glow of the incandescent lights.

In a daze, a memory flashed through my mind - of me carefully holding Krista's waist as we put up window decorations together.

I had asked her, confused, why she wouldn't let the housekeeper do it.

"This is our home. How could we let someone else interfere?"

But now our home was filled with things that didn't belong to us. There was even a photo of her and Palmer hanging on the living room wall.

I stared at that photo for a long time before finally smashing it to pieces. The furniture Krista and I had chosen together soon followed.After releasing my pent-up emotions, I gathered my belongings, most of which had been stored away by Krista.

However, I didn't take everything with me, just the computer I had previously used and some documents.

As I picked up the photos scattered on the bedroom floor, I unexpectedly discovered a few curly strands of hair on the bed where I had slept last night.

A wave of nausea suddenly welled up in my stomach, and it was then that I realized the photo album I had always kept in the cabinet was missing.

It contained not only memories of Krista and me, but even more importantly, it held the cherished moments of my mother and me from childhood to adulthood.

In a panic, I searched the room thoroughly but came up empty-handed.

The sound of the doorknob turning came from the entrance, and Krista stormed into the room.

Her face still bore traces of intense anger, "Marvin, haven't you had enough? Ever since you got out of prison, you've been relentless. What exactly are you trying to do?"

At that moment, I found the photo album in a discarded cardboard box.

The faces of my mother and me in the album had been maliciously scratched out and blackened, while only Krista's face remained intact and clean.

I held up the album, suppressing my fury, and questioned her.

Krista furrowed her brow and explained to me.

"Palmer got drunk a while back and accidentally damaged it while sleeping in your room. I'll have someone make you a new one in a couple of days."

Accidentally?At this moment, I felt as if all my strength had been drained away. I no longer wanted to argue with her, nor did I have the energy to do so.

I carefully tucked the photo album into my suitcase. As I tried to slip past her, Krista grabbed my hand.

"Where are you going?"

A flicker of unease, barely perceptible, flashed in her eyes. I didn't answer, attempting to free my hand, but she only gripped it tighter.

She pursed her lips, speaking with a hint of awkwardness: "If you apologize for what happened today, I might consider forgiving you."