9
The next day, Luke got a call from the police, Clara, refusing to apologize, had caused a disturbance and was taken to the police station. Upon arriving, Luke felt surprisingly indifferent. Since reading my letter yesterday, he’d begun to reflect on things related to Clara and me. The more he thought, the more he loathed Clara. Yet, the moment he remembered she was a patient, he had to suppress that annoyance deep within, which only made him feel worse. He wanted to find me, to be with me, to atone. But I’d said I never wanted to see him again.
kle’d thought he was heartbroken when Clara had threatened suicide. But now he realized that
real source of his suffering was my departure. But it was too late for regrets. The police chief was a former comrade of Luke’s, and upon learning his purpose, quickly explained the situation. Initially, the hospital had reported the incident, but since the nurse wasn’t seriously injured, they aimed for mediation.
They thought a simple apology from Clara would suffice. Who would have guessed that she would throw a fit and refuse to back down, causing chaos at the hospital?
That was why she spent the night in custody.
Luke rubbed his temples, suppressing his irritation as he thanked his comrade.
After picking up Clara, Luke drove her home.
After a night in jail, her mental state was quite poor. As soon as they arrived, she clutched his sleeve, refusing to let go.
“Luke, don’t leave. Stay with me.” she said, tears brimming in her eyes, looking pitiful Luke sighed. “Clara, just go back to the North City. Let’s not contact each other anymore.”
They were both from the North City. After her illness, she’d followed him to the South City. In the past, he couldn’t bear to abandon her, but now, he wanted nothing more than to avoid her. Just seeing her reminded him of the child that never came to be.
Clara’s expression changed, her nails digging into Luke’s arm. “So even you want to leave me, don’t you?”
The sudden pain startled Luke, and he instinctively pulled his hand back, exclaiming, ‘Clara, you’re crazy!”
But the next moment, his gaze locked onto her face. With her hair disheveled and a pale complexion, her eyes glinted with a sinister intensity.
“You finally noticed.” she said, a chilling smile spreading across her lips. “Luke, my family has abandoned me. You’re all I have left. You can’t leave me.”
Luke took two steps back, feeling a chill run down his spine. “What are you talking about? Didn’t you came to the South City for treatment for depression?”
Clara chuckled, her voice sickeningly sweet. “I’m recovering, but I’m not just depressed; I’m mentally ill. My parents want to get rid of me. Luke, I only have you.” As she spoke, she reached out to grab him. A wave of cold washed over Luke, and cursing her madness, he pushed the door open and left.
But the next day, Clara was back, sitting sweetly at his doorstep. From that point on, Luke tried countless ways to rid himself of her. But Clara, being mentally unstable, had no sense of shame. Whenever she couldn’t find him, she would cause a ruckus at the police station, even attempting suicide multiple times. Helpless, Luke found himself repeatedly summoned by the police and the
13:15
Menu
military. After that, he never managed to escape from Clara.
As for me, after leaving, I returned to my hometown.
Coincidentally, the country was reorganizing the college entrance exams. I picked up my books and successfully got into university.
That year, I was 21.
My life was finally looking up.
The End.
Every turn of the page is a new beginning.
I look forward to meeting you again in the next story!
