Menu
“The Remains of Summer) Chapter 9
Amelia’s eyes flickered, a hint of mockery in their depths.
A tear rolled down her cheek. She
reached up to wipe it away, but Ethan was faster, gently brushing it away with his trembling fingertips.
“Amelia, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me. Talk to me. Don’t keep it bottled up.”
away.
He reached for her, but she shifted
Finally, she looked at him, her voice distant.“Ethan, take me to the beach.”
Ethan’s hand froze in mid–air. He
stared at her, surprised.“Baby, you’ve
always hated the beach. You’re afraid of
12:51
0.0%
<<The Remains of Sum…
Menu
the water.”
Amelia’s voice was flat.“I want to go.”
After all, she was supposed to “die” in the ocean.
car.
Ethan didn’t argue. He called for the
During the drive, he held her hand
tightly, and for once, she didn’t pull away.
Relieved that she seemed calmer, he
reminisced about their shared past,
recalling details even Amelia had
forgotten. He remembered her giving him
lemon drops as a child, their first dance in
high school, her flying across the country
to see him when they were in college.
“You were always my precious girl,
12:51
14.6%
<<The Remains of Sum…
Menu
but you flew all that way just to see me. I
swore then and there that I’d never let
you suffer again.”
He parked the car by the ocean, his
eyes filled with love.“I will love you
forever, Amelia.”
Amelia managed a weak smile, tinged
with bitterness. He’d told the lie so many
times, he almost believed it himself.
They stood on the beach, watching
the waves, a fragile peace settling
between them.
Ethan’s phone vibrated insistently.
He ignored it, then, glancing at the caller
ID, stepped away to answer.
His expression changed, a flicker of
12:51
29.0%
< (The Remains of Sum…
desire in his eyes.
Menu
At the same time, Amelia received a
text from Chloe.
[You’re getting married tomorrow, so
what? I can have him back with one
phone call. Be smart and give up your spot as Mrs. Carter.]
It wasn’t the first time Chloe had
made this demand, but it was the first
time Amelia replied.
[Fine. Have him.]
Ethan hurried back, his face
apologetic. “Amelia, I’m so sorry, there’s something I have to deal with at work…”
“Ethan,” Amelia interrupted, “do you
remember what I said the day you
12:51
43.6%
proposed?
His hearn tightened
I said if you ever changed your mind, to tell me I wouldn’t fight you. But if you
lied to me, I would leave you. Forever!
A strange smile touched her lips.
Ethan clenched his phone, his knuckles white. After a long silence, he spoke, his voice trembling, “Amelia, 1 love you so much. I would never lie to you?
The last flicker of love in Amelia’s
heart died,
She laughed softly, “You have to go 19
work, right? Go.”
Ethan stared at her calm face, a waye
#12 51
7675
<<The Remains of Sum…
Menu
of fear washing over him. He was
suddenly afraid to leave. Afraid that if he
left, he would never see her again.
But the urgency in that phone call…
he loosened his grip on the phone.
Amelia was right here. What could
happen? Besides, they were getting
married tomorrow.
He exhaled. “I’ll see you at the
wedding tomorrow.”
He turned and walked away,
disappearing into the night.
Amelia watched him go, making no
attempt to stop him.
Ten minutes later, a car pulled up. A
man approached.“Ms. Price, your identity
12:52
70.1%
< (The Remains of Sum…
Menu
has been completely erased. New ID, new phone, plane ticket. No one will ever find
you.”
She took them, handing him her phone.“Deliver the body to the wedding tomorrow. And give this phone to the
groom.”
She wanted him to see how Chloe
had taunted her.
She wanted him to know that she’d
chosen death over his lies and his betrayal.
She wanted him to know that this
was their last goodbye.
She wanted him to live with the guilt
for the rest of his life.
With her new identity in hand,
12:52
83.9%
< (The Remains of Sum…
Menu
Amelia stepped into an unmarked car.
“Airport, please.”
After the darkness, dawn would
break. Somewhere far away.
12:52
