That evening, Mark came home.
I didn’t mention my visit, but he seemed
uneasy.
He asked why I’d gone to the office and left
without seeing him.
Then he said I’d been through a lot and, as
compensation, he’d arranged for the best
neurosurgeon in the country to see my mom.
Her chances of beating cancer were now
<
much higher.
Mark had never lied to me about my mother.
The surgery was a success.
Seeing Mom sleeping peacefully, I wept with
relief.
I wanted to call Mark, to thank him properly.
The phone rang for a long time.
Just as I was about to give up, Sarah
answered.
“Jenna? What do you need Mark for? He’s in
the shower.”
I stumbled over an apology, ready to hang up.
<
Sarah giggled, her voice low.
66
‘Jenna, you’re just a placeholder, a temporary
distraction. Now that I’m back, do yourself a
favor and disappear. Or else.”
“Your threats are meaningless. If you’re so
confident, tell Mark to divorce me.‘
I hung up before she could respond.
When Mom woke up, she saw right through
- me.
She sighed.
“I’m such a burden to you.”
‘Jenna, you’ve always been independent,
stubborn. I know you won’t listen, but please,
<
don’t put yourself through this.”
I nodded, keeping the online hate and the
“mistress” label to myself.
After I’d accepted Mark’s proposal, I’d had
one condition: he had to meet my mom,
properly.
To my surprise, the usually aloof Mark sat
patiently by her bedside, peeling fruit.
The afternoon sun softened his features,
casting a warm glow across the room.
In that moment, my heart ached with a
bittersweet mix of love and guilt.
“Mom, I’m happy. Mark takes good care of
me.”
“”
After she fell asleep, I went home, a sense of
unease creeping into my heart.
It wasn’t long before the hospital called.
Jenna, you need to come quickly. Your
mother’s crashing.”
Mom was rushed into surgery.
By the time I arrived, they were wheeling her
lifeless body out.
My legs gave way.
Sarah materialized beside me, fake tears
streaming down her face.
“I’m so sorry, Jenna. It’s all my fault.”
<
“I begged Mark to bring me to see your mom,
but… but she just collapsed.”
My mind was a blank canvas of shock and
grief.
Then I looked up, met Sarah’s eyes.
They weren’t filled with sorrow, but with
malice.
The puzzle pieces clicked into place.
Rage consumed me.
I lunged, grabbing her hair, yanking her from
Mark’s arms.
“You! You killed my mother!”
L
Sarah stumbled. I straddled her, raining blows
across her face.
She shrieked, then whispered, just loud
enough for me to hear.
“Yes! I killed her! I showed her proof of your
little affair, all those nasty photoshopped
pictures. Guess she wasn’t strong enough to
handle the truth.”
My vision swam red. I raised my hand to
strike again.
A sharp pain ripped through my abdomen.
I flew backwards, crashing against the wall.
Mark’s face was a mask of fury.
<
<<
Jenna, are you insane?”
He’d kicked me.
I coughed, blood splattering on the floor.
My body screamed in protest.
Tears streamed down my face as I looked up
at him.
“She was going to live! The surgery was
successful! She could have lived!”
I’d never cried in front of him before.
The sight of my tears seemed to momentarily
stun him.
He reached for me, but Sarah clung to his
arm.
“Mark, my stomach hurts…”
That single whimper erased any hesitation he
might have felt.
He turned his back on me, scooping Sarah
into his arms.
“Jenna, you’re delusional.”
“Your mother was dying of cancer.
“3
“If it wasn’t for me paying for her treatments,
she’d be dead already.”
“”
“I gave her extra years. Sarah did nothing
wrong. She simply set things right.”
“Now apologize. On your knees.‘
“”
The blood drained from my face.
I stared at him, disbelieving.
His eyes were cold; devoid of any warmth.
He threw me to the floor, his polished shoe
grinding into my hand.
“Apologize.”
I heard bones crack.
Sweat beaded on my forehead, but I bit my
lip, refusing to scream.
く
Sarah smirked.
Mark released me, turning his attention to
her, cradling her tenderly.
I watched them go, my mother’s body lying
just a few feet away.
Finally, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
After Mom’s funeral, I sat on the couch,
clutching her urn.
Mark walked in, radiating coldness.
He saw me, the urn, and his tone softened
slightly.
“Stop this nonsense, Jenna. When you’re
く
ready, you can apologize to Sarah.’
“”
“Just apologize, and the wedding is still on in
three days.”
I laughed, a hollow, empty sound.
What wedding?
Mom was gone. It was a wedding no one
wanted.
Before Mark could explode again, a
notification buzzed on my phone.
Flight confirmed.
“A flight? Where are you going?”
His sharp eyes had caught the message at
く
the same time I did.
It was time to end this charade.
“I…..”
But Sarah called, interrupting me.
“Marky, I’m hungry. I want that special
porridge you make.”
He was gone before I could finish my
sentence, rushing to the kitchen.
Watching his retreating figure, I felt nothing.
I placed the divorce papers on the table.
I left, Mom’s urn clutched tight in my arms,
and headed straight to the airport.
Before boarding, I sent Mark one last
message.
