Chapter 8
Seeing that no new clues could be found, Allen’s assistant had no choice but to let the doctor go. Only Sadie and Allen remained in
the room.
Sadie’s voice was soft and gentle. “Allen, don’t be angry. Maybe Mia just couldn’t think straight for a moment. She wouldn’t
really want to get rid of your child. She was probably just trying to spite you. She’s always had a temper like that, you just never
noticed.”
As always, her words dripped with malice disguised as concern, casting dirt on me without leaving a trace. But this time, Allen
didn’t fall for it.
He wheeled her chair toward the door, his face cold and impassive. “Mia isn’t that kind of person. I know her.”
He added, “If you find the hospital room too dull, I don’t mind sending you abroad for recovery. Sadie, this is the last time I’ll say
it–I only see you as a sister. My wife is, and will always be, Mia. Whether she’s alive or dead.”
He turned away from her, missing the flicker of malice that flashed through her eyes.
After Allen escorted Sadie back to her room, his assistant came running over, his face pale with panic. “Mr. Jones, bad news.
Madam’s mother has reported her disappearance to the police.” His voice trembled. “The officers are already here. They want to
investigate her death and perform an autopsy.”
The words hit Allen like a hammer. He remembered what he did to my mother before. He raised his hand and slapped himself
across the face. Without a word, he turned and ran to the hospital lobby.
There, in front of the police, he dropped to his knees before my mother.
“Mom, I’m sorry.” His voice cracked as tears blurred his vision. “I failed to protect Mia. I broke my promise.”
Before she could speak, he struck himself again, harder this time. And then again, as if punishing himself could somehow rewrite
the past.
“It’s my fault,” he said, his voice shaking. “I didn’t notice her illness. I didn’t believe her. I killed her.”
“You can hit me, curse me, do whatever you want. I deserve it. But I have only one request–please, don’t let me divorce her.” His breath came in broken gasps. “I want to be buried next to her when I die.”
My mother stood still, her face tight with grief as she watched the proud man kneeling before her, tears streaking his face. For a long time, she said nothing. When she finally spoke, her voice was heavy with sorrow.
“Allen, Mia wasn’t good with words, but I know she loved you.” Her eyes softened, but the pain remained. “My family isn’t as wealthy as yours. I knew when she married you, her life wouldn’t be easy. But I still let her go, because she loved you that much.
“Every time she came home, she’d lost more weight. I asked if things were hard, but she always smiled and said you treated her well, that she was happy. But I could see it in her eyes–she wasn’t happy. She was holding on because she loved you.”
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Chapter 8
+15 Bonus
Tears welled up in her eyes as the memories poured out. “Five years of marriage, Allen. Other than your family, who
