The Spare Wife

Scarlett was ecstatic. She took her phone out with excitement and said, “I’ll call Josh and tell him to get everything prepared.”

“There’s not-”

Scarlett had left happily before Abigail could finish. She sighed. Fine. She can do what she wants.

Lawrence approached Abigail. Lovingly, he said, “You can go back to work if you have to. Your mother and I can take care of Analise. It’s fine.”

“I’m not that busy,” Abigail answered. She was a little uneasy toward Lawrence and Scarlett’s passionate attitude, but Analise would leave the hospital the next day. She didn’t have to face these people anymore, and she was looking forward to it.

Sean knew what she was thinking, and he finally let go of his obsession, though just a bit. She equally refuses everyone who’s hurt her.

The meeting with Gary was arranged to be at noon the next day. Gary said he wanted to see Analise, so Analise, who had left the hospital, came back for the visit, too. Gary was still in the ICU, so the visitors got changed before they went in.

Abigail noticed that Lawrence and Scarlett weren’t looking as cheerful as before. They looked at Gary, their eyes red. Patricia was there as well. She held Gary’s hand tightly, shedding tears in silence.

Noticing something, Abigail pursed her lips. Lawrence and Scarlett looked at her expectantly, and she slowly approached Gary.

said quietly, his eyes filled with tears. “I’ve missed

said her name, something touched her heart. She blinked, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m here,

be with you anymore. I thought I could maybe see you one day, spend some time in

was about to crack. “I’m

quickly said, “I never blamed you.

but he no

him at all.

on my shoulders. I remember those times. You’d tell me to keep running ahead. We

tearing up, too.

left something for you, Abby,” Gary said before he looked at

she knew it would make Gary feel worse. Patricia took out a patterned rosewood box

said, “Your grandfather left you this. There are some toys in it. You loved

and then she opened it up carefully. She saw stacks of paper on the bottom, and she knew what they were without guessing. But what caught her eye were the little toys on the papers. Most were trinkets. Some were made of plastic, but some were expensive. Abigail then saw a little lock. She picked the golden

how to hold things. You wore it… around your neck… for years… This lock was left behind… on the day… you went missing.” Gary felt

called out, worried.

noticed that the ECG was getting erratic. She said, “Get

You must go home! You must… go…” Gary tried to get up, but before he could finish his sentence, he fell back