- 4.
He started unfolding the paper cranes. They
were filled with love notes.
But he hadn’t made them, and he hadn’t
written the notes.
The housekeeper wrote them, the notes were
cheap.
I pushed open the restaurant door.
The loud laughter stopped abruptly.
Cody happily took my hand.
“This is my girlfriend, Sarah.”
“These are my college friends.”
Everyone was dressed expensively.
Did Cody think I was blind? Couldn’t I
recognize these people?
“I’m so grateful to Sarah for taking care of
me for three years. Without her, I don’t know
how long I would have lasted.”
Cody started to cry.
A baby’s cry interrupted the sentimental
scene.
Cody skillfully picked up the baby and started
comforting her.
Ashley started crying, too. “When are you
getting married? You’re so happy.”
“I miss my husband. All those years ago, only
he understood what I was going through.”
Cody unconsciously took her hand.
His eyes were fixed on me. “Sarah, listen to
- me. Apologize to Ashley.”
“Or tell us what Ashley wants so she won’t be
sad,‘
99
Ashley smiled, having achieved her goal, and
clapped her hands, bringing out four bottles
“Why don’t you make it up to me with a
drink.”
My face turned white. I couldn’t drink after
taking my medicine.
Cody tried to drink for me.
“Sarah is like my sister, I can’t let her drink, I
don’t trust you with her.”
I looked up at Cody and lowered my head,
silently agreeing to let it happen.
I turned around, wanting to run away.
The door slammed shut, and Ashley told two
men to hold me down.
Looked at Cody and saw no ovpression On
く
I looked at Cody and saw no expression on
his face.
My heart died. Three years hadn’t changed
anything.
She forced four bottles of liquor down my
throat, and my face turned pale before I
collapsed on the floor.
Suddenly, I started coughing up blood.
Cody finally stopped the madness.
“Enough!”
I opened my eyes in the hospital, the nurse
was putting an IV in my arm.
“You just had your stomach pumped. Don’t
୮
They walked away.
My stomach burned, and I dry heaved,
bringing up acid.
I was shaking, and fell out of the bed.
I was in the hospital for three days. Cody just
sent me a message: “Out of town on
business. I’ll see you when I get back.”
I was calm, completely devoid of emotion,
and clicked on his name…
After I was released from the hospital, I went
to the cemetery to pay my respects to my
dad.
I saw a pair of black heels standing near me.
<
“Long time no see.”
Ashley was smirking, and she stepped on my
fingers with her shoes.
The pain shot through my body, leaving me
numb.
“It doesn’t feel good to be stepped on by the
nanny’s daughter, does it?”
“Your dad died horribly, hahaha! You didn’t
think Cody really loved you, did you?”
“Let me tell you the truth. He did it all for
me.”
My eyes were red, and I couldn’t hold back
my rage. I reached out, but Cody grabbed my
arm.
く
He slapped me and told me to apologize.
I yelled, “How long are you going to keep
lying to me…?”
My rant was interrupted.
Cody threatened me and told me to get on
my knees and apologize.
“If you don’t, his husband will come back, and
lock you up again.”
If I didn’t kneel, I wouldn’t be able to leave
that day.
Back in my room, I locked the door. My phone
buzzed with a delivery notification.
It wee the things I’d ordered to help him
It was the things I’d ordered to help him.
recover.
I’d taken courses to learn how to take care of
him, all for his health.
I picked up the picture of us together, taken
in the first year after he got sick.
The doctor had said he was getting better,
and he hugged me, laughing.
Suddenly, my hand went limp, and the picture
fell and shattered as soon as Cody tried to
open the door.
Cody rushed in, trying to piece the picture
back together.
Cody rushed in, trying to piece the picture
back together.
He didn’t seem to be acting. Could he
actually have started to believe it?
He picked up the pieces of glass, not caring
that he was cutting his hands.
He grabbed the first aid kit and bandaged my
knees.
“I’m sorry. I know that doesn’t mean
anything, but I couldn’t protect you.”
“But I have to take care of her to get the
