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I was shocked to hear him say such a thing. Why was he acting so stubborn and refusing to sign the divorce papers? Isn‘ t this what he wanted–to be free to be with Georgia?
“C’mon, Keith,” Georgia chimed in, clearly frustrated. “Here is a perfect chance for both of us to finally be together. Then why are you delaying? Just sign the paper!”
“Yes, Keith, why do you refuse to sign the paper?” I asked, my anger bubbling to the surface. “Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?”
Keith’s eyes snapped to mine, his expression hard. “Can‘ t you hear what I said earlier? Did you already forget what happened to my grandfather?”
I scoffed. “We both know this isn‘ t about your grandpa. Why are you using him as an
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excuse?” I shot back, my voice rising.
Keith slammed his hand on the table, making me jump. “Listen to me very carefully, Eden,” he said, his voice low and cold. “And make sure you read my lips as I say this… I will not sign any damn
papers.
His words hit me like a brick wall. I stood there, speechless, as he turned on his heel and stormed out of the dining area.
I felt Georgia‘ s eyes on me. When I turned to look at her, her expression was a mix of irritation and confusion.
ཡཱསཱ་
“What?” I snapped. “Don‘ t look at me with those eyes.
She crossed her arms, tilting her head.
“What have you done, Eden? Why won‘ t he sign the papers? Are you trying to trap him?”
I laughed bitterly. “As you can see, Georgia, the man you so desperately want to be with refuses to leave me for you. I
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haven’t done anything.”
Georgia’s face twisted in anger, but I didn’t wait for her to say anything else. I picked up the divorce papers, my hands trembling slightly, and marched to the bedroom. If Keith thought he could avoid this conversation, he was wrong.
I found him standing near the window, his back to me. Sunlight spilled into the room, casting his silhouette in shadows. I walked in and tossed the papers onto the bed.
“Sign it,” I said firmly, folding my arms.
He didn’t turn around. “Why are you so eager to end this?” he muttered, his voice
low.
“Why are you so eager to stay?” I
countered. “Stop dragging this out, Keith. It’s over.
Finally, he turned to face me. There was something in his eyes I couldn’t quite read–anger, pain, maybe both.
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“Is it because you lost a child?” he said suddenly, catching me completely off guard. My breath caught in my throat.
“What?” I managed to whisper, my voice. shaky.
“Is that what this is about, Eden?” His gaze held mine, unrelenting. “Because you lost our child? You think it’s over now?” He paused, and then he said something that made my heart stop. “You know we can make another one.”
“Stop this,” I warned him. But I couldn’t stay there any longer. I left the room, grabbed my keys, and walked out of the house entirely. I got into my car and started driving with no destination in mind, just trying to clear my head. The road stretched endlessly in front of me, but eventually, I came to a halt, pulling over to the side.
I didn’t want to go back home–not yet. I sat there for a moment, thinking. Then I remembered Pa Greg’s house. Maybe I could check up on him, make sure he was
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okay, and spend the night there. It felt like the only place where I could find some peace.
When I got to Pa Greg‘ s house, I explained everything. I told him about Keith refusing to sign the divorce papers, about Georgia, and how I didn’t know what to do anymore. He listened patiently, his face calm as always, before he spoke.
“Eden, you are the right woman for Keith,” he said firmly, his words gentle but unshakable. “Your cousin, Georgia, doesn’t really love him. She loves the idea of him–what he can give her. But you, your love is real and true. Don’t worry about Keith. He’ll come to his senses soon. You’ll see.”
I wanted to believe him. I really did. But how could I, after everything? Still, his words gave me a sliver of comfort. I decided to stay the night at Pa Greg‘ s house.
The next morning, I woke up early and
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decided to make Pa Greg breakfast. I was in the kitchen, humming softly to myself, when the sound of the front door opening caught my attention. I froze.
Keith had shown up.
And, of course, he wasn‘ t alone. Georgia followed behind him, a smug look
plastered on her face. The moment Pa Greg saw her, his face darkened.
“What is this nonsense?” Pa Greg barked. “Why is a married man always seen with a single woman who has no ambition?”
Georgia laughed nervously, pretending as if Pa Greg‘ s words were a compliment. “I only came here to check up on you, Pa Greg. I care about you,” she said sweetly, her voice dripping with fake concern.
“I’ll leave now… but I need to use the restroom first.
She didn’t wait for an answer. She simply walked off, leaving me and Keith standing there in awkward silence. I didn‘ t look at
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him for long; I just excused myself and walked upstairs. I needed space, and I didn’t want to deal with him.
As I climbed the stairs, I heard faint voices. Georgia. She was on the phone.
I paused and leaned against the wall to eavesdrop. My heart started pounding as I caught bits of her conversation.
“…I need to eliminate Pa Greg… Yes, he’s a threat. As long as he’s alive, I don‘ t have a chance with Keith.”
I felt like the ground had been ripped from under me. Eliminate? My mind raced. Was she talking about killing him? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I quickly put a hand over my mouth to stop myself from gasping, but it was too late. The sound escaped before I could stop it.
Suddenly, the line went quiet.
Georgia‘ s voice cut through the silence like a knife. “Who’s there?”
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Before I could react, she appeared in the
hallway. Her eyes locked onto me, narrowing dangerously.
“You,” she spat.
I turned to run, but she was faster. She grabbed me by my hair, yanking me
backward. I cried out in pain, trying to
fight her off, but her strength caught me off guard.
“Stay out of my way, Eden,” she hissed before shoving me hard.
I stumbled, my feet losing their grip on the stairs. The world spun around me as I tumbled down, hitting each step with a sickening thud. I hit my head hard on the last step.
Everything went black.
I passed out.
