Through the partially open window, I heard passionate kissing. A woman was sitting in Theodore’s lap, embracing him.
When he noticed me, he smirked and said, “What? You can’t handle this? You’d better get used to it. Once we’re married, I’ll bring my lovers home-”
Fighting back the pain, I calmly interrupted him. ‘We won’t be getting married. I wanted to tell you why I called off the engagement years ago. My family—”
He pushed the woman off him and got out of the car. He then backed me against the wall and growled, “I decide whether we get married or not.‘
I tried to explain further, but he refused to listen. As I turned to leave, he chuckled darkly.
He said, “I heard your mom married a small business owner. Coincidentally, his company does business with us. Imagine if that partnership ended because of you. Think about your mom and Ivan’s future…”
I stared in shock at the man threatening me. It was as if I was looking at a stranger.
Ivan was still in college then, with endless potential ahead of him. I could not take that risk, so I agreed.
From that day forward, Ivan’s watch over me grew stricter, but my moments of clarity became rarer and rarer. Sometimes, I could not even recognize myself.
This time, it was really time to go. Perhaps it was a final burst of clarity before the end, but my mind felt sharp, and my eyes were clear.
I remembered everyone and could recount every event accurately. The doctors called it a miracle, and a glimmer of hope returned to Ivan’s dim eyes.
One afternoon, my phone buzzed with a series of messages from Janice. The photos showed Theodore lying naked beside her.
Her message read, “He’s always loved me. Even if you’re dying, it doesn’t change anything.”
I did not reply to her text. Instead, I just took a screenshot of it and sent it to Theodore, asking him to control his girlfriend.
I was relieved that I had never believed his words, and because of that, I didn’t feel sad.
2/3
Chapter
+25 BONUS
An hour later, Theodore started calling. I kept hanging up as he kept calling back. With no other options, he began sending voice messages.
“Charlotte, I’m heading to the hospital. Please, let me explain. It’s not what you think. Trust me, okay?”
I did not respond and blocked his contact. I was done listening to his explanations.
Ivan noticed something amiss and glanced at my phone. He pressed his lips together and asked softly, “Charlotte, are you okay?”
I looked at him pitifully and said, “I want to visit Dad’s grave.”
When he started to refuse, I pretended to sob. “It’s my only wish…”
Unable to resist, he nodded. While he discussed it with the nurses, I secretly changed out of my hospital gown.
Later, I hailed a cab and left. Following the address I had written on my wrist in marker, I found a headstone. Then, I took all the pills from my pocket.
I had promised that I would die with my memories intact. I did not want to forget any of them. This time, I kept my word.
Conti
