23
The internet buzzed with discussions about Liam.
Some believed he was acting, faking his remorse to repair his image and boost Sterling Industries‘ stock.
Others thought he’d been manipulated by Chloe, that he truly loved me and I should speak up.
Soon, online
to make a choice–divorce Liam or reconcile.
The situation needed closure.
started urging me posts
But despite the online fervor, I remained silent.
No one knew I was dead…
On the third day after my departure, Liam had searched the entire city, every hotel, every mall, finding nothing.
He was broken, and despondent.
Vivian found him surrounded by empty alcohol bottles, sprawled on his bed like a dead dog. She pinched her nose, yanking open the curtains.
The sunlight made Liam squint.
His stubble had grown longer; his eyes were dark and puffy.
He clutched my pajamas.
Vivian was furious, yanking the pajamas from his grasp.
“Liam! What are you doing? Are you going to wallow forever?”
“Give it back…” he roared.
Vivian refused.
“Look at yourself! You need to get your act together! The shareholders are demanding a meeting. And you sent Milly abroad; she’s crying and refusing to eat.”
Liam seemed oblivious, snatching back the pajamas.
He buried his face in them, inhaling my scent, clinging to the illusion of my presence. Vivian grabbed his wrist, dragging him.“No, you can’t do this. You need to snap out of it. Come with me.”
She dragged him to the poolside, then shoved him into the water.“Wake up! Are you going to drown yourself because Summer’s gone?”
Liam had lost his will to live.
He sank beneath the surface…
Terrified, Vivian jumped in after him.
She noticed something glistening at the bottom of the pool; she pointed it out to Liam.
It was my wedding ring.
Liam
had
for it commissioned
me,
our
the on initials engraved
band…
< 23
Mersi
I’d thrown it in the pool.
Liam swam to the ring, seizing it.
On the bank, he stared at it, tracing our initials, the memory of his proposal flooding back. He’d knelt, promising, “Summer, I’ll love you forever. Marry me.”
I’d put on the ring, saying, “Forever, not a day less, or I’m leaving…”
I’d kept
leaving without hesitation after discovering his betrayal.
word, leaving without my
Liam wept, clutching the ring.
He didn’t know that a news report was airing–a woman’s body had been found on the coast, a wheelchair nearby…
< 24
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