- 9.
Mrs. Miller came the next day.
She carried a thermos, her face beaming.
“Sarah, dear, Jake asked me to come take
care of you.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
“Much better, thank you, Mom.”
L
She ladled some soup for me, chattering
away.
“That Jake, always so clumsy. I don’t know if
he can even take care of Chloe properly…”
She stopped mid–sentence, as if realizing
what she’d said.
“Mom,” I said, “Chloe is the one who married
Jake.”
Mrs. Miller froze, taking a moment to process my words. “What… what are you saying?”
“I put Chloe’s name on the marriage
application.”
Mrs. Miller’s initial shock quickly turned to
く
elation.
“Sarah, you’re such a good girl! I knew you
were the most sensible one!”
She clasped my hand excitedly. “Thank you,
Sarah! Thank you for letting them be
together!”
I gave a faint smile, saying nothing.
Letting them be together? I was letting myself
be free.
Mrs. Miller had always preferred Chloe. Even
after I spent years dutifully caring for her in
my past life, she still left her entire
inheritance to Chloe.
“Mom, don’t tell Jake or Chloe about this
L
yet.”
Mrs. Miller grinned. “Of course, dear! I
understand!”
“So… what are your plans now?”
“I’m leaving in a few days,” I said, keeping
my destination vague.
Mrs. Miller wanted to ask more, her mind.
clearly preoccupied with their wedding.
I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.
I left the hospital without telling anyone.
Before leaving, I wrote a letter to Jake:
“Jake, by the time you read this, I’ll be on a
train headed south.”
“I know you’ve always loved Chloe. I’m giving
you my blessing.”
“Our time together has run its course. I wish
you both happiness.”
I put the letter, the train ticket to New York,
and the marriage certificate in an envelope
and mailed it to his address in New York.
Then, I grabbed my suitcase and headed for
the train station.
