Chapter 4

When I came to, I smelled the sharp sting of disinfectant.

"You're awake?"

My voice was a little hoarse. "Where's Brent?"

"You really are cold," Julius sneered. "You did something like that to Louisa, and you don't feel the slightest bit of concern or guilt!"

I frowned. "Louisa wasn't—"

"Enough. Explain it to Brent yourself."

Julius cut me off, put my phone on speaker, and tossed it to me.

"Tabitha, don't think you can dodge this by pretending to pass out. I never imagined you were this kind of person!"

Brent's furious voice came through the phone. "You'd better pray Louisa's okay, or I swear I'll make you go to the grave with her!"

I forced down my grief. "She jumped on her own. I didn't push her."

"I saw you push her with my own eyes, and you still want to argue!" Brent scoffed. "You're just jealous that Louisa's healthy, jealous that I treat her well, so you hurt her on purpose!"

My heart was bitter beyond words. "Brent, is that really the kind of person I am to you?"

"Otherwise, I'll make you go to the grave with her!"

The words had barely left him when the call was slammed shut.

How ironic.

Just two days ago, Brent was saying we'd live to a hundred together, grow old side by side, and now he wanted me buried alongside Louisa!

In an instant the ringing in my ears grew worse, my breathing turned ragged, and I collapsed onto the hospital bed.

"Tabitha?" Julius jeered. "Brent isn't here. Who are you putting on this act for now?"

I didn't react at all; cold sweat kept breaking out on my forehead.

Only when Julius saw that something was truly wrong did he go out and shout, "Doctor!"

...

When I woke again, I heard Dr. Finch's voice beside me.

"Miss Henson, I told you before that with your illness you need to keep your spirits up, but now... sigh."

My voice grew even hoarser. "How much time do I have left?"

Dr. Finch's tone was full of regret. "Three days at most."

"Three days?" I laughed at myself. "That's actually longer than I thought."

"This is the critical-condition notice," Dr. Finch said. "I heard your husband is also in the hospital. Should I go call him?"

"No need. He's probably busy." I gave a self-mocking smile, then struggled to prop myself up. "Just tell me where to sign. I can do it myself."

With that, I fumbled for the paper and pen, and with Dr. Finch's help, I signed my name stroke by stroke.

My face stayed calm, betraying nothing—only the trembling of my hand as I signed gave away what I truly felt.

Seeing me like this, Dr. Finch couldn't bear it. "Miss Henson, I've heard a little about your situation. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Then please help me with the discharge paperwork." I smiled at him. "For these last few days, I'd like to get out and walk around."

"All right."

After I was discharged, I stood alone on the tactile paving, listening to the traffic rushing past around me, feeling the sunlight on my skin, and suddenly I felt a trace of release.

I took a deep breath, then dialed Brent's number.

It rang a long time before he picked up.

"Tabitha, what are you after now?"

My voice was utterly calm.

"Brent, for the sake of the marriage we had, do me one last favor. Bury me next to my grandmother's grave."