100%
Chapter 3
“It’s not what you think,” Justin said quickly, straightening his shirt. “Leah and I just came downstairs for water and accidentally fell onto the couch.”
Leah let out a soft gasp, clutching her half–open shirt to her chest like some helpless damsel before hurrying away.!!
I barely reacted. My throat was dry, my voice rough when I finally spoke. “Go ahead,” I said flatly. “Don’t let me`stop you.“>
I turned to leave, but Justin grabbed my wrist. The second his fingers touched my skin, he froze.
He could feel the heat radiating off me, the fever that had my body shaking. For a split second, I thought I saw something flicker in his expression. But just as quickly, he dropped my arm like I was something disgusting.
‘Are you seriously pretending to be sick just to make me and Leah feel guilty?” His voice was laced with irritation. “Look, I won’t cheat on you before the divorce and when the time comes, you’ll get whatever compensation you want. But until then, don’t try any of your little
tricks on me!”
And with that, he shoved me away and ran after Leah. I stumbled back, landing hard on the sofa. For a moment, I just sat there.
Then, a bitter laugh escaped my lips, Justin… this time, I’m really done with you.]
For the next two days, he didn’t speak to me once. Instead, he spent every moment clinging to Leah, making sure I saw just how “in love” they were.
And then, as if he couldn’t sink any lower, he started planning his eighth suicide attempt.}
“Leah,” I heard him whisper to her, “if I try again, my parents will have no choice but to let me marry you. And honestly… if I can’t be with you, there’s no reason for me to keep living.“”
Leah let out a choked sob and kissed his cheek, completely swept up in the moment. Justin smiled down at her, stroking her hair like she was the most precious thing in the world.§
By the time they left the house hand in hand, I was already heading out myself. But I wasn’t going where they were. Today was the day I was leaving Hartmere. And before I did, I had one last thing to do. I needed to say goodbye.
The cemetery in the southern suburbs was quiet when I arrived. But as I made my way to my parents‘ graves, I froze.§
Not far from me, I spotted two familiar figures. Justin and Leah. I watched as he knelt solemnly in front of his grandparents‘ tombstones, his voice full of reverence.
“Grandpa, Grandma,” he said softly, “this is Leah. She’s the woman I’ve chosen to spend my life with and she’ll be your future granddaughter–in–law. Please watch over her. Keep her safe and happy.“}]
His tone was gentle. Sincere. Like he truly meant every word.
A dull, heavy weight settled in my chest. In my last life, Justin never once acknowledged me as his wife. He never brought me here. Not even once.§
Even when he pretended to care–even when he put on the perfect act of a devoted husband–he refused to bring me to this place.
“I don’t want to disturb their peace,” he had said.
But now, with Leah, there was no hesitation. He was proud to introduce her. Proud to claim her. Justin and Leah knelt in front of the grave, fingers intertwined, completely at ease. Like this was exactly where they were meant to be.
I should have walked away. Should have ignored them and left without a second glance. But then, something caught my eye.}}
Hanging around Leah’s neck, a small, familiar charm. My breath hitched. It was my amulet. The one my parents got for me at the
church.
The one I placed on Justin’s pillow when he was in the hospital after his fifth pathetic suicide attempt, back when I still believed he was worth saving And now, somehow, it was on her.
My body moved before I could think. I lunged forward, reaching for it, but Justin was faster.
His arm shot out, yanking Leah behind him like I was some kind of threat. His entire stance turned defensive, like he was protecting
her from me.”
“Lara?” His voice was sharp, full of disbelief. “Are you insane? You followed us here? And now you’re trying to attack Leah in broad daylight?”
I was shaking, my breath coming out in short, angry bursts.
“That amulet,” I ground out, pointing at it. “It belongs to me. My parents left it for me. I only put it with you when you were in the hospital. Why did you give it to Leah?”
“Give it back,” I demanded, my voice thick with rage. “That’s mine.”
Justin didn’t move. He stood firm, his expression unreadable. I pushed forward, trying to reach for it again, but he was like a damn brick wall. No matter how much I fought against him, he didn’t budge an inch.
And then, as if he had finally had enough, he shoved me backward. I stumbled, landing hard on the ground, my palms scraping against the rough dirt.
Justin let out an irritated sigh, shaking his head like I was the one causing problems.
“Leah gave up her kidney for me,” he said, his voice cold and dismissive. “She’s still recovering. What’s wrong with me giving her an amulet for protection?“}]
He scoffed. “Stop making a scene. I’ll transfer some money to your account later–go buy yourself another one. Just quit showing up and bothering Leah over nothing.”
