Chapter 7
It was way past midnight when Kelly finally made it home, exhausted She flicked the lights on, and her phone buzzed with a few texts from Natalie.
“You liked my Instagram posts every day, so you probably already know Hugh and I got married. He promised me a wedding in Marline
checked out the vener, and it was amazing. The decor was exactly how we always imagined it when we were younger. Can you believe it? He still remembers all these years
“I can’t thank you enough. Hugh might never have gotten his sight back without you. I really appreciate you taking care of my husband all these years.”
Kelly could clearly pick up on the dies, but she didn’t have the energy to get upset. She headed to her bedroom, flopped onto the bed, and drifted off into a heavy sleep
Hugh didn’t come home that night. The only thing she got from him was a text.
“Kel, I’ve still got stuff to handle. Are you hurt badly? Let me know if it’s serious. Ell come back right away.”
Kelly stared at the message, emotions flickering in her eyes. After a long pause, she finally typed a reply.
“Don’t bother.”
She wouldn’t need Hugh anymore.
1/1
Once the wound on her shoulder had scabbed over, Kelly made her way to Johnston Manor alone. This was where it had only been her and Hugh back when he was blind. She grabbed a shovel and walked over to the peach tree in the yard, its branches still heavy with fruit. Beneath it was a small box, buried on Hugh’s 18th birthday, holding their hopes for the future.
Kelly dug it out. The metal box was rusted, and the sealed glass bottle was fogged up with moisture on the outside. She pulled out a note folded into the shape of a star and opened It. Her own handwriting looked back at her.
“Thope Hugh can see the world again. I hope he stays safe and happy I hope I can always be by his side.”
Every future she had ever imagined was tied to Hugh. Some of those wishes had come true. Others, though, would never happen–not in this letime.
Then, she unfolded another note, the one Hugh had written.
“Thope I can get my sight back. I hope Nattie stays safe and well.”
Every word was about him and Natalie and not a single mention of Kelly. So, he had never held it against Natalie for leaving him. He had carried the pain of the car accident for her, without any regrets.
Kelly gave a bitter smile. She ripped up her note and tossed the pieces into the drain. Then, she unclasped the necklace from around her neck.
High had bought it for her with his first earnings from the business after he’d returned to the Johnstons. She’d worried about how much it had cost, but he’d just pulled her close kissing her over and over.
“Kel, they say it’s lonely at the top, but I’ve got the strength to keep going as long as you’re with me. It’s just a necklace. Everything I have is yours, including me
She buried the necklace, along with all the memories of her past. After filling in the hole, she turned to head home, only to run straight into Hugh and Natalie at the entrance. The second Hugh spotted ber, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, “Kel, what are you doing here?”
“What about you? What are you two doing here? Kelly shot the question right back at him instead of answering.
Hugh was about to say something, but Natale beat him to it.
Smiling, she said, “it’s been forever since I’ve heard Hugh play the piano. He mentioned the plan is here at Johnston Manor, so we came over. Ms. Ressler, you know this place better than anyone. How about you show us the way?
Before Kelly could say anything Natalie grabbed her and hauled her into the manor.
