hapter 8
Isaac went to the old woman’s house, only to find it completely empty.
The neighbors, seeing Isaac dressed in a refined manner and looking wealthy, eagerly approached him, asking if he was a rich relative of the old woman.
Isaac’s eyes flashed, and a thought crossed his mind quickly. Without hesitation, he nodded and admitted to it.
The neighbor, in a tone filled with envy, sald that the old woman had lived a hard life–her husband had passed away early, and her son was paralyzed in a car accident, leaving the two of them to struggle.
Who would have thought that in her later years, fortune would suddenly smile upon her when a wealthy and kind relative appeared? He gave her a large sum of money, enough for her to buy a new home, move out of the slum, and settle in a high–end community, ensuring she’d be well taken care of for the rest of her life.
Isaac asked.
“When did she tell you this?”
The neighbor gave him a strange look but still answered truthfully:
“Just a few days ago.”
Hearing this, Isaac’s body trembled uncontrollably. He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the rising fear and anger within him, and forced himself to calmly ask for the address of the old woman’s new community.
When Isaac left the old woman’s house, his steps were so heavy he almost couldn’t lift his feet.
A few days ago, Mary had mentioned a limited edition handbag she liked.
He had never waited for her to ask for anything, always understanding her unspoken wishes. So, before she could event ask, he transferred a large sum of money to her.
The further Isaac walked, the heavier his legs felt, and his whole body seemed drained of strength.
Images of the old woman from the morning two days ago flashed through his mind.
At the time, he thought she was just being friendly, but wasn’t there a possibility she was waiting for him deliberately?
And Mary, who usually had a near-obsessive cleanliness, didn’t mind the old woman’s dirtiness that time, which was
unusual for her.
Looking back now, everything seemed so out of place.
He reached his car, took out a cigarette, and put it in his mouth. His hands were shaking so badly that he couldn’t light it even after several attempts.
Frustrated, he threw the lighter away and ran a hand through his hair, feeling overwhelmed. [
Doubt consumed his heart.
For the first time, he felt that maybe he had been wrong about Mary.
→ into the
Taking a deep breath, he got into the car and drove straight to the old woman’s new community. []
Meanwhile, as soon as Isaac left, I hurriedly took my daughter’s ashes and fled the cage he had built for me.
As soon as I got downstairs, I received a call from the cemetery–they had arranged the plot for my daughter.
I halled a cab and rushed to the cemetery without a moment’s delay. []
Finally, at five in the afternoon, I was able to lay my daughter’s ashes to rest.
I sat by her grave, keeping her company. []
In the sunset, her smiling face on the tombstone was as beautiful as a flower.
But I was in tears, reaching out to touch her picture. [
Pain tore through my heart inch by inch.
If there is a next life, I hope she is born into a happy and loving family, cherished by her parents. []
If I had known from the start that my marriage to Isaac would cost her life, I would have given it up long ago.
But unfortunately, there are no “what ifs” in this world.
In the end, my weakness cost my daughter her life.
I was too foolish.
I woke up far too late. [
I pressed my cheek against her cold picture, the chill seeping into my soul.
My entire body shivered from the cold.
