Chapter 105
After setting up the time and place with Russel, Stella and I left the hospital
I got in the car and told Stella. “Take me home, please”
Stella looked at me, surprised, and asked, “Your place? Aren’t we going to my house?”
Given my meeting with Russel that night, staying at her place could be inconvenient.
I replied. “Take me to Sunflower Terrace. You should know the way”
Sunflower Terrace was where I lived alone. During my college days, Stella and her friends would often visit me there
Although Stella seemed puzzled, she didn’t ask further. She hit the gas and drove me to Sunflower Terrace.
Once inside, Stella helped me to sit down She sounded worried when she asked, “Are you sure you can live here alone? You can’t even walk…”
I smiled reassuringly at Stella and said, “Tll be fine. I just need some peace and quiet. Don’t worry about me. Go home and drive safe.”
Reluctantly. Stella nodded and said, “Alright. Call me if you need anything”
After she left, I spent the evening zoning out on the sofa
I didn’t know when I drifted off, but I woke up feeling cold.
I had a nightmare. Karina’s corpse was right in front of me. Just as I was about to take a closer look, she suddenly opened her eyes, grabbed my neck, and hissed, “You stole Neil from me!”
I woke up in a cold sweat. To shake off the lingering fear, I quickly switched on the TV and found a noisy drama to distract myself. The chatter from the TV made me feel a little better.
But as I sat there with the TV on, my mind started to wander.
On the night of our wedding, Neil said many hurtful things. We shared a bed but didn’t even touch hands. Around 1 am, he got up and drove away
Back then, I thought he was trying to embarrass me.
about it, maybe he couldn’t resist the urge to see Karina one last time,
beeped, startling
message from Russel, “You’ve hurt your foot. Let’s talk at
a thoughtful doctor.
I was living alone, this also worked out perfectly for me. I texted
sent him my
“Are you living
sent him an emoji with a big grin,
Could Neil put up with you?”
care? If we divorce, is he going to meddle in my life
“Have you really
marriage yet. I refuse to be alone forever.
acting rashly. After all, I was already considering what kind of man I should marry next, even
coming over, I decided to clean up myself. I couldn’t let him see me looking like a mess. I limped to the bathroom to take
bathroom after the
cry of pain echoed in
phone on the washstand started ringing. Unable to
was Neil calling?
frowned but picked up anyway,
it was nothing. I would hang up quick. I needed to call an ambulance.
scream? Neil
floor in a bathrobe, not in a good mood. “Just say what you want. I’m
your apartment. Open
did hear my
reflexively refused, “I can’t see
open the door, I’ll have
out of your mind?” I really didn’t want to see him now. Just thinking about Karina and
they felt they had ruined their son’s
‘second one.
like a fool, still clinging
sprained your ankle; why didn’t you stay at Stella’s?” Neil
be concerned about me, but I still replied indifferently. “I wanted to come
the door code?” Neil threatened, “I can have it
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!