A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

"Strawberry candy is your favorite, isn't it? I brought you a lot," Emily said. She opened one and put it in her mouth. The candy tasted sweet, but she could not help but feel bitter.

For a maiden to die at such a young age is like a flower that wilts before it blooms. Life was so unfair.

Victor took the bag of candy and opened each one. He stuffed all of the candies into his mouth. His handsome face formed bulges because of the candies stuffed in his mouth. He looked strange and funny at the same time.

Emily was taken by surprise. If she didn't know any better, she would think that he was like a masochist. "Victor, what are you doing? You could choke," Emily said worriedly.

Victor managed to mumble "I'm okay," despite his stuffed mouth. Emily continued to look at him curiously as he continued, "This is her favorite. I will eat it for her."

In his mind, doing this was like being with her and seeing her. He would do what the things she used to do until they become his ingrained habits.

She's gone but he isn't, and he has to live day by day. All he could do was to try to live her life for her.

He looked up, barely able to speak, as he tried to eat the candy. "Anne, did you lie to me?" he called out. "You told me to have candy whenever I feel bitter. You told me that candy can cure all the bitterness in one's heart. If that's true, then why do I still feel bitter? Why do I still hurt?"

Days without her were so bitter. Even the candies he was eating tasted like bitter herb.

Emily couldn't help but pity him and cry for him. This wasn't Victor the man anymore; he was Victor the corpse. He was a dead and hollow soul trapped in a gorgeous man's body.

Anne's death made him this way.

"What if I was dead, just like Anne? What will happen to Jacob?" Emily thought.

For the first time, she truly understood how Jacob felt. She finally understood Jacob's concern that she might died giving birth to this baby.

If she did die, would he be as heartbroken as Victor?

Emily didn't even want to think about it.

After staying at the cemetery for a while, they left in silence. They went home, both lost in their own thoughts.

her hurriedly as soon as she stepped out of the car.

been?" he asked Emily anxiously. "Why didn't

many missed calls from Sean. "I'm so sorry. I must not have

who just got out of the car, but dropped the topic. "Since you're back, let us get you

But looking at Sean's stoic face, it gave nothing away. "I won't drop by again," Victor said.

and put Emily in harm's way again. He had already lost Anne. It would

He needed to.

...

turmoil and

don't leave me," he begged. In her dream, his eyes were all bloodied. His voice was hoarse from screaming and begging. "If you

ran down her temples and her heart pounded

pain. She missed him

she

miss you so much. I'm so sorry."

to go back to sleep, she looked for her

much, and she wanted to know how he has been. But for

would be her on the other end of the line even when she said

herself. "If you do this, there

her phone. She had dialled Jacob's number! Cursing her reflexes for doing what was only in her head, her face

she ever memorize his number?

to end the call, it was picked up

voice was hoarse in exhaustion. Gone was his charming and deep voice. Instead, he sounded tired and uninspired.

but she couldn't do it.

repeated. "If this is

Emily's mouth was a soft whimper. Instinctively, she covered her mouth with her hands, not wanting to make

didn't want him to do the same.

few seconds of