- 5.
The stress of Jason’s calls worsened her
condition. IV drips, swollen hands, constant
pain. One weekend, she snuck out for some
air.
“Sarah?” Busted. Her doctor. “Dr. Chen!
What a coincidence.”
“You should be resting. It’s almost time for
your meds,” he said, his dedication worthy of
an award.
“You’re right. My mistake,” she chirped, trying to deflect. “But picking out an urn
seems more pressing right now.”
His smile vanished. “Sarah, a positive attitude
is crucial. You can’t give up.‘
く
She nodded agreeably. “Wise words, Doctor.
Gotta run. That urn is popular. If I’m late,
someone else will snatch it up.”
He reached out, about to say something.
more, when a man emerged from a parked
car, stopping beside Sarah.
“And this is…?” Dr. Chen asked.
The man ignored him, grabbing Sarah’s wrist, his eyes burning into her. If looks could kill,
she’d be ashes, no cremation necessary.
“Nobody,” she yanked her hand back, forcing
a smile at Dr. Chen. “Don’t worry. Back soon.
You go ahead.”
Concern flickered in Dr. Chen’s eyes, but he
let her go.
く
She stalked off, trying to flag a cab, leaving
Jason in her wake.
“I wondered why you were so eager to
divorce me,” Jason sneered. “Found yourself
35
a new plaything, I see.”
She fixed him with an icy stare. “Didn’t you
set the precedent?”
After Anya, Jason had become a ghost. During a 104–degree fever, she’d begged him to come home. His response? “Dramatic.” After that, she’d vowed to be self–sufficient.
“I’m asking the questions now. When did this… start?” The same tone he’d used when
he called her “dramatic.” The same man.
She took a calming breath, not wanting to
<
trigger another bleeding episode. “Before you
and Anya. Divorcing you was a prerequisite
for being with him. Now, will you leave?”
“Sarah!” he growled, pure venom in his voice.
“Don’t say my name. It makes me sick,” she
spat.
His rage boiled over. “I never realized what
a… slut you were. An orphan, desperate for
any male attention?”
“Sarah, you’re pathetic.”
A cold laugh escaped her lips, blood rushing
to her head, the metallic tang rising in her
throat. She wanted to slap him, but her body wouldn’t cooperate. “Yes, I’m pathetic.
Anyone will do. Except you, Jason.”
<
Passersby stared at their escalating
argument. Jason, mortified, turned and fled to
his car.
Chloe rushed to her side, helping her up. “What happened?”
Sarah shook her head, blood trickling from
her lips, tears streaming down her face.
“Chloe, it hurts… so much…”
“Come on, let’s find Dr. Chen.”
The pain was unbearable, tearing her apart.
As her vision blurred, she clutched Chloe’s
hand. “Chloe… can you… buy me that urn?
From South Street?”
She knew. Soon, she’d be ashes, residing in
that box.
