considered what she truly wants?”
Dennis froze, opening his mouth but failing to form any words.
I looked at Dennis. “Dennis, no matter what, those five years are gone. Even if I didn’t stage my death, I would still feel… you’re
no longer the one I would choose.”
The color drained from his face, but I continued. “Don’t force me to call everything we had a mistake. Or perhaps you’d rather I
really were dead before you could finally let go of me?”
“No!” He interrupted me sharply, his eyes filled with profound sorrow, his voice edged with desperation. “Tracy, I was wrong. I
was really wrong. As long as you’re okay… please, don’t go dying on me again. I… I’ll stay away.”
His gaze made me pause for a moment, before I spoke softly. “Fine. Then I hope you can truly let me go.”
He remained silent for a long time, his head bowing, as if some realization had finally dawned on him. His voice was hoarse when
he spoke. “I’m sorry.”
Then he turned and walked away, his back lost in a hollow kind of despair.
Jay made sure the children were all right before walking up to me. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head lightly. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
He smiled faintly, said no more, and after tidying up the studio, left with Brian.
Not long after, I saw a brief news report. Camille had been formally charged with assault and multiple other accusations. Despite
the Willow family’s efforts to intervene, they couldn’t prevent her from facing the full extent of her crimes.
What surprised me most was that Dennis had personally pushed forward Camille’s prosecution.
Just then, Brian jumped into my arms, grinning as he said, “Teacher, Uncle Jay is looking for you!”
I looked down and ruffled his hair, smiling. “What’s he up to now?”
“He says he wants to take us out to play!” Brian’s eyes sparkled, filled with excitement.
I lifted my head and saw Jay standing in the doorway.
He gave me a slight smile, standing there with the sunlight casting over him, his figure warm and dependable.
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“Then let’s go.” I took Brian’s hand, and together we left the studio, as though the shadows of the world had been left behind.
This was my new life. Finally, I could live for myself.
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