Quinn stayed salent for a moment before speaking, his voice cold and cutting “You’re in such a hurry to be rid of me. Is it because you’ve already found someone else?”
His words struck a nerve, and I lost my cool. “Quinn, do you even hear yourself?” I asked incredulously. “Yes, I loved you once. I forced you to marry me and took you away from Diana. But I’ve paid for my mistakes, haven’t I‘
“Look at everything Diana has done to me. Do you think it’s not enough! What more do you want from me? What will it take for you to leave me alonct
The car screeched to a halt, and the air inside was charged with tension Quinn stared at me with piercing eyes
In the enclosed space, all I could hear was his sharp breaths, heavy with anger. My heart raced as I wondered what he would do next.
After a tense silence, he narrowed his eyes and bellowed, “Get out.”
Without hesitation. I unbuckled the seatbelt, pushed open the door, and stepped out. The moment I closed the door, he slammed on the gas, and the car sped away, disappearing into the distance.
I stood there in the middle of the road, the cold wind biting at my skin. The chill outside was nothing compared to the hollowness in my heart.
In his eyes, I was nothing more than some
exactly what Quinn wanted from me.
someone at his beck and call, obeying his every command and enduring his cruelty. This must have been
He refused to let me go, and the irony was, I couldn’t seem to forget him no matter how hard I tried.
Stupping out of my stupor, I booked a cab and returned to my apartment.”
The next morning. I woke up to several missed calls from Elijah. As I debated whether to return his calls, my phone rang. This time, it was Aiden.
I answered, and his antion voice came through. “Natalia, Jenna passed away early this morning?
Frode. For a moment, I thought I had misheard him.
When I arrived at the funeral home, the memorial hall was already filled with relatives and guests.
Staneling by the casket, Elijali’s head bowed as tears streamed down his lace. He looked frail, as if he has aged years overnight. Skylar stood next to lim, soblang uncontrollably.
I stood by the door, staring cilače, unable to nuove. The scene b
scene bele me feli surreal jenna was gone. She was only fifty
190
12:08 PM c
Chapter 59
Fragments of childhood memories resurfaced in my mind. I hated her, but there had been a time when I genuinely loved and respected her.
“Natalia,” a soft voice came from behind. I turned to see Shirley, dressed in a sleek black suit, her gaze gentle. “You’re here. You should say goodbye
to her.”
With a vacant look in my eyes, I nodded, but my feet refused to budge.
Sensing my hesitation, Shirley slipped her arm through mine and whispered, “Come on. I’ll go with you.”
Her warm touch gave me strength, and together, we walked up to the casket,
“My condolences.” Shirley said as she offered a bouquet.
“Thank you for being here today to hondr Jenna.” Elijah wiped his tears, and when he met my eyes, surprise flickered across his face, quickly replaced by a weary, conflicted look. “I didn’t expect you
to come”
I pursed my lips before explaining softly. “My phone was on silent last night–1 missed your calls.”
“Since vo
you’re here, pay your respects. Despite everything, she was the one who raised you,” Elijah said in a feeble voice.
I nodded. Jenna was gone. Whatever grudges we had were now meaningless. I bowed my head in prayer, wishing her p
peace as she found her rest.
As I straightened up, I felt a presence behind me. Before I could react, something struck my back. I let out a cry as a scorching pain shot through
- me.
“I’m sorry, the candle slipped from my hand, came Skylar’s insincere apology. She glared at me with swollen eyes, her expression filled with mulice. It was clear as day–she had done it on purpose.
The sting in my back intensified, growing sharper with each passing second. When I reached back to touch it, my fingers grazed the singed fabric, and I realized the candle had burned my skin.
“Natalia, are you okay?” Shirley rushed over, her face pale with concern. “Come on, let me take you to the car. I have a first–aid kit.” She led me out of the hall and into her car.
Shirley took out a first aid kit and quickly found the ointment for burns. “This topical cream is very effective, it’ll heal quickly and won’t leave a scar,” she said reassuringly, gently lifting my shirt to check the wound.
However, the paused and stared at my back. Her voice trembled as the asked, “Natalia, is this red spot on your back abirthmark?”
