Chapter 9
I boarded a flight with a completely new identity, heading overseas.
After landing, I went to a small seaside town where I had already bought a little house and a small shop.
The shop was to be decorated exactly as I envisioned. Once it was ready, I planned to sell various types of alcohol and offer healing to
wounded souls.
Meanwhile, Keith was nearly losing his mind trying to find me.
The story rewound a few hours.
Keith drove to Mildred’s house, eager to see her. He opened the door and found her dressed in a cute, Lolita–style outfit. She grabbed his
collar and, barefoot, pulled him toward the bedroom step by step.
But this time, Keith didn’t feel the familiar excitement or heart–pounding thrill. Instead, a strange sense of unease washed over him.
Mildred noticed his distraction and stepped up her efforts, but Keith pushed her away.
“Not like this. I’m not in the mood today. I promised Cynthia I’d go back to spend time with her.”
Mildred took off her top, revealing her chest, and grabbed his hand, placing it on her body. Her voice trembled in a playful yet demanding tone.
“I don’t care. You have to stay with me a little longer. I miss you so much.”
The moment Keith’s hand touched her body, he couldn’t hold back anymore and completely lost himself.
A few hours later, Keith got up, took a shower to wash away Mildred’s scent, and made sure nothing would be discovered before heading
home. But when he opened the door, the house was eerily empty.
He had a sinking feeling and rushed upstairs. On the table, he saw the envelope and the untouched cake in the trash bin. His heart dropped.
He broke down, shouting in panic, “Cynthia, I know I was wrong. Please, come out! I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for not being with you. Please don’t
do this. I’m scared.”
But all he got in return was silence.
It was impossible. He believed Cynthia wouldn’t leave him, and she only wanted to punish him a little. That was why she was hiding.
Keith repeated this over and over in his mind until, trembling, he finally opened the envelope Cynthia had left on the desk.
Inside, there were two copies of the signed divorce papers. She hadn’t asked for anything, and was leaving with nothing but her freedom.
He gripped the thin sheets of paper tightly, his knuckles turning pale, his body shaking so violently that he could barely stand.
He wondered how could this be. How could Cynthia divorce him?
8:45 AM
<
Keith couldn’t understand. He had hidden everything so well. There was no way she could have found out.
Like a restless animal in a cage, he paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, his panic growing. He rushed to the window, yanked open the curtains, and his gaze landed on the camphor tree in the yard.
He froze, his head spinning as if struck by lightning.
So, from this angle, he could see the tree. That meant when he kissed Mildred, Cynthia must have seen everything.
The thought of it tore him apart. How much pain must Cynthia have felt in that moment?
