Chapter 7
Evelyn stood frozen in place.
She hadn’t expected things to escalate this far-nor could she imagine what Leonard’s parents had said to Lillian to drive her to “attempt suicide.”
“I didn’t tell on her,” she said quietly. “And besides… if she really wanted to die, she wouldn’t always make sure you found her in time.”
She looked up, meeting his eyes with startling calm. “People who truly want to die-can’t be stopped.”
Leonard’s face twisted with fury. “You’re still unrepentant? Still mocking her?” he roared, grabbing her by the
wrist.
Without another word, he dragged her out the door, down the path, all the way to the riverside.
“If you’re so cruel,” he snarled, “then you can deal with the consequences yourself!”
And with that, he shoved her in.
Cold river water surged over her head, flooding her nose and mouth. Only then did Evelyn realize-Leonard truly hated her now.
She fought her way to the surface, clawing at the slick stones of the riverbank. The icy current stabbed into her bones like knives. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably.
“Leonard!” she cried.
But he stood still on the bank, dressed in his immaculate military uniform, gazing down at her with absolute indifference.
“I’ll be staying at the hospital with Lillian these next few days,” he said coolly. “While I’m gone, take some time to think about how you’re going to apologize to her.”
With that, he turned and walked away, his boots clicking on the stone path like nails hammered into Evelyn’s heart.
The river churned against her body, cold as death, as if thousands of invisible hands were trying to drag her under.
She clung to the rocks with broken nails and bleeding fingers.
She couldn’t swim.
She didn’t dare let go.
So she stayed like that-half-submerged in the freezing water-for the entire night.
At dawn, an old fisherman spotted her and rushed to help, using a pole to pull her ashore.
“Miss, what happened to you-” The man’s voice faltered at the sight of her pale, trembling face.
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“I’m fine. Thank you,” Evelyn murmured through chattering teeth.
Soaking wet, she dragged her numb body back toward the compound.
As she passed the local City Hall, she stopped.
If she remembered correctly, today was the day the divorce report would be finalized.
Still dripping, she walked into the office. The clerk stared in shock but quickly handed her the stamped
document.
“Miss Hart, everything’s in order. As of today, you and Captain Grant are no longer legally married.”
It was just a single sheet of paper.
But it weighed a thousand pounds in her hands.
Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she took it.
She was free.
Finally… free.
Back home, Evelyn remembered Leonard’s parting words, “Take some time to think about how you’ll apologize to her.”
A cold laugh escaped her lips.
She began packing.
Everything she owned-everything that was hers-she put into her suitcase with swift, decisive movements.
Then, she pulled out all the framed photos of her and Leonard and replaced them one by one… with digitally edited wedding pictures of Leonard and Lillian.
Finally, she stood before their giant wedding portrait-the one that had hung in the living room all these
years.
In the photo, she wore a Lillian wedding dress, smiling with such joy and hope in her eyes. Leonard stood beside her in his uniform, sharp-eyed and solemn, a figure that had once made her heart race.
Crack!
The frame smashed against the floor. Glass shattered.
Evelyn hung the new photo in its place.
Leonard and Lillian, smiling together.
Once it was done, she looked around the house.
This place, which once belonged to her and Leonard, now belonged entirely to him and Lillian.
“This should be sincere enough,” she whispered.
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That was her apology-to give him back, completely and irrevocably, to Lillian.
Evelyn picked up her suitcase and stood at the doorway.
She took one last look at the prison that had trapped her for two lifetimes.
Goodbye, Leonard.
This time, I truly-don’t love you anymore.
She turned and walked away without ever looking back.
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