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6
11:16
I sank back in my chair, staring into space.
I mailed the divorce papers to Jake’s house.
I wasn’t going back. Nothing was left for me
there.
$9
I changed my ticket and headed to the airport.
On my phone, Jake sent a text. [“I’m sorry,
Claire. I was just upset. I didn’t mean it. It’s just
that Abby’s been alone for so long. I just want
to help.“]
[“I’ll get you a gift when I get home. Don’t be
sad.“]
I blocked Jake and his entire family. I felt so
free.
Leaving felt like a weight being lifted off my
shoulders
Lune VATRA I had time and an munh
<
11:16
((
89
shoulders. I was young. I nad time, and so much
to do.
Abby’s son hadn’t disappeared. He’d just
wandered off to play.
Jake didn’t yell. Instead, he took Abby and her
son to Disneyland, like they were a real family.
That night, Jake went home to a dark house.
He kicked a file and bent over. When he opened
it, he saw the divorce papers and froze.
He couldn’t believe it.
A crumpled piece of paper fell to the floor. It
was a note from me.
[“Jake, we’re done. You never saw what I
wanted. This is over.“]
He read it, and my heartless crimes were laid
out one–by–one
Then, Abby called. “Jake, Tommy has a fever.
Can you come over? I’m so worried.”
Jake wasn’t listening. He threw the phone on
the floor and started searching the house.
He hoped it was a joke. He’d apologized, hadn’t
he?
Jake found nothing. Everyone had blocked him.
Abby showed up on Jake’s doorstep, crying.
“Jake, what’s wrong? Tommy won’t stop crying. I needed your help.”
She saw the divorce papers.
“Jake, this is a good thing. You can be with me
now.”
“It’s what Claire wanted, isn’t it?
“It’s her fault.”
Г
Abby had ditched her gentle act and was speaking the quiet part out loud.
Jake snapped. “It’s not gonna happen. Take your kid to the ER. I don’t care.”
Abby had planned this for years, but she got greedy. Jake would always be indebted to her for her sacrifice to the legacy of the Johnson clan.
Jake got up and left. “I’m bringing Claire back.”
The stewardess woke me.
Outside, my best friend, Rose, was waiting.
“It’s been too long, Claire. I miss you.”
“Ever since you got married, we haven’t even
seen each other.”
Her voice broke.
I hugged her. “It’s gonna be okay now.”
Rose took me to her house and listened.
“Jake doesn’t love me. He just wanted to fool
people. He only cares about his sister–in–law.”
“My body’s ruined now.”
Since getting to California, I could finally talk.
The last spark of love was gone.
Rose hugged me, crying. “He’s a jerk! I’m gonna
make him pay!”
But I told her not to cause any trouble.
Rose was successful. She smiled. “I can take
care of you. Our company will be great.”
<
11:17
We used to talk about our dreams in college.
89
Before graduation, my professor said a famous
designer wanted to mentor me.
But Jake proposed.
I was in love with him for three years. I gave it
up for him.
Now, it seemed stupid.
But it wasn’t too late. I had a chance to dream
again.
Rose made me rest for a month before I got my
sketchpad out again.
She told me, “The clothes you design will be our
own brand. We’re gonna be unstoppable!”
I laughed with Rose. That time was fading.
laize couldn’t find mo
༩ང‘་དU UUངས!! Oབོང་{4 v
<
Jake couldn’t find me. My friends wiped away
any trace.
Abby wanted him to give up.
“If it wasn’t for you, Claire wouldn’t have left.”
“I was so good to her.”
“You sabotaged Claire. Why would I marry
you?”
Jake looked scary. Rose almost cried. “It’s all
you!”
Jake shoved her away. “If you ever show up
again, you’re gone!”
