Chapter 128
Justin got hurt that time, too. It was a small explosion. Shrapnel cut into his abdomen and he lost so much blood he nearly went into shock.&
The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was me standing at the hospital ward door, my eyes red–rimmed, frantically yelling, “Doctor? Doctors, please save him!“&
I’d always prided myself on keeping up appearances, but that day, I cried so hard my makeup was a mess. My eyeliner was smudged, the corners of my eyes and the tip of my nose were red and my voice was trembling and soft with panic.
He woke up at three in the morning. No one was around, so he thought I had left.
Then he turned his head and I was fast asleep in the corner of the room. Beside me was a half–finished glass of cold medicine and a box of band–aids from when I’d hurt my hand.
Those fair, delicate hands, which used to not even know how to wash vegetables, were now daily preparing his medicine, bandaging his wounds and changing his dressings.
When he finally recovered, I hugged him tightly, as if I was finally able to breathe again and with a slightly nasal voice, I said,
“You have no idea how scared I was. I thought I was going to be a widow.“>
That was the most real and unguarded version of me in his memory.
Someone who would cry over a wound, whose heart would race frantically over the slightest abnormality, yet who still clumsily took care of him meticulously.
The comer of his mouth unconsciously lifted.§
But as soon as he realized he was thinking of me again, his expression tightened and he frowned slightly.
Why was he thinking about me again?”
We were divorced.&
I had nothing to do with him anymore.
Still, did I really leave so easily?
Saying nothing, asking nothing, not even leaving a word.
I had no parents and I was divorced. Where could I go?}
The more he thought about it, the more agitated he felt.
“Justin?” Lilian walked over and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Her voice was soft and sweet. “Are you in pain? Want me to blow on it for you?“}
She leaned in close. Her eyes were seductive, her breath smelling faintly of alcohol and perfume.}
She tried to kiss him.
Poor thing, the man suddenly turned away before her lips could touch him.
Lilian froze.
“Lily.” Justin’s voice was low and husky. “You, wait for me for a few more days.”
Just a few more days and he’d settle everything. Then he’d confess to her properly.}
Lilian thought he was being ridiculously old–fashioned.}
She was about to pout when his phone lit up on the table.
“S–Sir… ”
The voice on the other end of the line trembled.}
*Mrs. Francesca … she was in a car accident. The whole car flipped off the overpass and burst into flames.”
‘No remains left.”
The person on the other end was still saying something, intermittently, as if the voice was coming from another world.
“We’ve already called the police. The rescue team is clearing the scene.”
“She probably died on the spot.“@
“Sorry, Sir. We really did our best.”
Unfortunately, Justin couldn’t hear.
He could only hear his own breathing, faster and faster.}
He stared at the black screen of his phone, his eyes blank, his lips slightly parted, his throat feeling like someone had a tight grip on it.
No remains left.%
Those words exploded in his mind.
It felt like a heavy hammer had slammed into his chest and he stood up abruptly but stumbled because he was too hasty.
“Justin?” Lilian had just started to get up, but was pushed away by him.
He didn’t care what she was saying. He didn’t stop to put on proper clothes or even shoes; he just ran out the door like a madman.
The black Maybach tore through the streets, running red lights like they weren’t even there.!!
His mind was utterly blank. The only thing keeping him grounded was the pulsing line on the GPS screen.
1/1
367
His heart was pounding like a drum. The car was going 180 km/h. The world outside the window blurred past him, but none of it could wipe away the images flashing through his mind.
How could someone who was still alive yesterday be gone entirely today?}
By the time he reached the scene, the sky was already beginning to lighten.
The bridge was still blocked off and police tape stretched high across the road. When Justin opened the door, the burning metal and ash stench hit him.”
20
