Chapter 10%
After being kicked out, Alexis stood in the courtyard all night under the pouring rain. It wasn’t until Roy called him dozens of times, begging him to come back and save Janice, that he finally left, reluctantly.”
When Janice eventually regained consciousness, Alexis didn’t take her home. He sent her back to her ex–husband overseas.}
The man was mentally unstable and had tormented her before. She had barely escaped the first time. Going back now, she probably wouldn’t make it out alive again.
Alexis came to see me a few more times after that, but he never even got past the door. Harlan and Maggie always kicked him out before he could catch a glimpse of me. Since he couldn’t see me, he started wiring large sums of money into my account every month.”
I knew he was trying to make amends. And I didn’t refuse–because he owed me.
During my time studying with the Blackfire Tribe, I found a new dream. I wanted to see the world.”
When Harlan and Maggie heard about my plans, they were both fully on board. We packed our things and hit the road together.”
For the next five years, we traveled from the southern coast all the way to the north. We met all kinds of people, stumbled into strange and fun experiences. And slowly, I let down the guard I’d been carrying for so long. Bit by bit, I became myself again–the free–spirited Halle I used to be.”
Meanwhile, Alexis’s health was deteriorating. Years of heavy drinking had taken a toll, and with his body weakening, the rest of his family began circling like vultures. While he was away on a business trip, someone tried to kill him. They buried him alive in the same graveyard as before.
But this time… I didn’t come to save him.
By the time his men managed to dig him out, it was too late. He had suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen and slipped into a vegetative state.
Overnight, his family fell into chaos. The side branches seized power.
When Harlan told me all this, he watched my face closely, waiting for a reaction.
But I didn’t flinch. I just lifted my fishing rod and said calmly, “Got one.”
“Halle, are you even listening to me?” he asked, helping unhook the fish. “Alexis is in a coma. Aren’t you going to see him?“}
I shot him a look. “Harlan, when did you get so generous? Letting your wife go visit her ex?”
He chuckled. “So now you’re officially my wife, huh?”
A month ago, Harlan proposed. And after everything we’d been through together, I realized I’d fallen for him long ago–quietly, slowly, without even noticing. I’d just been too afraid of getting hurt again to admit it.
But Harlan gave me the courage to try again. To open my heart one more time.}}
“Hmph. I was just testing you,” he said, smirking. “If you dared to go, I’d cursed him with dark magic and make him look hideous.“}
Right then, the fish slipped from his hands and disappeared back into the river.
Maggie burst into laughter. “Master, you’re toast! You let Halle’s dinner get away–she’s gonna starve tonight!”
I shook my head and cast the line again.”
Later on, we decided to settle in California. The city had spring all year round, and the scenery was beautiful.} Maggie also met someone special there, got married, and started a family.”
Before we knew it, another five years passed.}
Because of an old injury, I couldn’t have children. So Harlan and I adopted a little girl from a welfare center. One day, I took her to the amusement park. She suddenly stopped in front of a big screen and pointed at it. “Mommy, that woman looks just like you! But younger.“}
She squinted closer. “Whoa… she even has the same name as you.“}
I glanced at the screen, my expression calm.”
Alexis, now in a vegetative state, had a final moment of clarity. He wanted to see me one last time before dying. So he had people post my photos and name across the world.
I shook my head and smiled. “That’s not me. A lot of people look alike. And sharing names? That’s nothing new.“”
She tilted her head, not fully convinced. But once I bought her an ice cream, she completely forgot about it.
A week later, every poster and ad disappeared.&
Alexis had died.%
Harlan looked at me and asked, “Halle, are you going to say goodbye?“%
I raised an eyebrow. “He’s dead and you’re still jealous?”
