Chapter 105
After setting up the time and place with Russel, Stella and I left the hospital
I got in the car and told Stella. “Take me home, please”
Stella looked at me, surprised, and asked, “Your place? Aren’t we going to my house?”
Given my meeting with Russel that night, staying at her place could be inconvenient.
I replied. “Take me to Sunflower Terrace. You should know the way”
Sunflower Terrace was where I lived alone. During my college days, Stella and her friends would often visit me there
Although Stella seemed puzzled, she didn’t ask further. She hit the gas and drove me to Sunflower Terrace.
Once inside, Stella helped me to sit down She sounded worried when she asked, “Are you sure you can live here alone? You can’t even walk…”
I smiled reassuringly at Stella and said, “Tll be fine. I just need some peace and quiet. Don’t worry about me. Go home and drive safe.”
Reluctantly. Stella nodded and said, “Alright. Call me if you need anything”
After she left, I spent the evening zoning out on the sofa
I didn’t know when I drifted off, but I woke up feeling cold.
I had a nightmare. Karina’s corpse was right in front of me. Just as I was about to take a closer look, she suddenly opened her eyes, grabbed my neck, and hissed, “You stole Neil from me!”
I woke up in a cold sweat. To shake off the lingering fear, I quickly switched on the TV and found a noisy drama to distract myself. The chatter from the TV made me feel a little better.
But as I sat there with the TV on, my mind started to wander.
On the night of our wedding, Neil said many hurtful things. We shared a bed but didn’t even touch hands. Around 1 am, he got up and drove away
Back then, I thought he was trying to embarrass me.
Now when I think about it, maybe he couldn’t resist the urge to see Karina one last time, even though she had stopped breathing.
My phone beeped, startling me.
I picked it up and saw a message from Russel, “You’ve hurt your foot. Let’s talk at your place tonight.”
What a thoughtful doctor.
Since I was living alone, this also worked out perfectly for me. I texted him back, “Sure. 609 Sunflower Terrace, Building 8.”
I sent him my exact address.
Russel replied, “Are you living alone now?”
I sent him an emoji with a big grin, “Yeah. Bet you didn’t see that coming!”
Russel texted back, “You’re really something Could Neil put up with you?”
I replied, “He doesn’t love me, so why should he care? If we divorce, is he going to meddle in my life like my father?”
Russel asked, “Have you really thought about remarrying?”
I texted back, “Of course! I haven’t experienced a normal marriage yet. I refuse to be alone forever. I want a normal man!”
After that, he didn’t reply. Maybe he thought I was acting rashly. After all, I was already considering what kind of man I should marry next, even before my divorce.
Since Russel was coming over, I decided to clean up myself. I couldn’t let him see me looking like a mess. I limped to the bathroom to take a shower.
Clearly, I overestimated my balance. As I was trying to get out of the bathroom after the shower, my right foot gave way under my weight, and I fell.
My cry of pain echoed in the bathroom.
Just then, my phone on the washstand started ringing. Unable to stand, I crawled over and picked it up.
Why was Neil calling?
I frowned but picked up anyway, “What’s up?”
If it was nothing. I would hang up quick. I needed to call an ambulance.
“Why did you scream? Neil asked.
“What scream?” I was sitting on the floor in a bathrobe, not in a good mood. “Just say what you want. I’m busy.”
Neil paused, “I’m at your apartment. Open the door”
So he really did hear my scream.
I reflexively refused, “I can’t see you right now. Just go
“If you don’t open the door, I’ll have it picked” Neil said
“Are you out of your mind?” I really didn’t want to see him now. Just thinking about Karina and Bonnie made my heart ache.
Now I understood why his parents accepted Bonnie so quickly. Maybe they felt they had ruined their son’s first relationship and didn’t want to ruin the
‘second one.
I was like a fool, still clinging to Neil, totally clueless
“You’ve sprained your ankle; why didn’t you stay at Stella’s?” Neil asked again.
He seemed to be concerned about me, but I still replied indifferently. “I wanted to come back, so I did.”
“Did you fall? What’s the door code?” Neil threatened, “I can have it picked, but then you’ll have to change the lock.”
I knew Neil would do as he said. And I did need someone to help me up. Compared to an ambulance, Neil was a more reasonable choice.
But my password was Neil’s birthday. I didn’t want to tell him that.
Suddenly, I heard the lock open, followed by a faint chuckle from Neil.
I took a deep breath and hung up
Soon, I heard Neil’s voice from the bathroom door, “Are you in there? I’m coming in.”
He pushed the door open and saw me sitting on the floor.
We looked at each other for a few seconds before he squatted down, “You sprained your ankle, and you thought it was a good idea to take a shower alone?”
“Is that illegal?” I asked coldly.
“Well, no Come on, get up” Neil extended his hand, gesturing for me to grab it.
I didn’t refuse. When I put my hand in his, his palm tightened, almost completely enveloping my hand.
While trying to get up, I explained, “That password was set when I was in college. I just moved back here recently and haven’t had time to change it.”
“Hmm.” Neil didn’t react much.
“Ah!” No sooner had I stood up than my right foot gave way again from the pain. I fell again.
Neil was swift. He grabbed me and propped me up with his body, but he whacked his own back hard against the door frame. I even heard the thud.
He didn’t make a peep and just carried me to the bed and sat me down.
After checking out my right foot, he told me, “It’s symmetrical now”
“Huh?” I was still stuck in the awkwardness from before, not quite catching what he said.
“Your right foot’s twisted too. Now both your feet are swollen to a matching degree.” Neil stood up and informed me.
His dark humor…
I had zero gratitude for Neil. I asked indignantly, “How did you know to come find me here?”
