Chapter 9
We hit up the museum and Skylar had something interesting to say about every exhibit. Each one seemed to have its own little story through his eyes.
Next, we went to the amusement park. We screamed our heads off on the roller coaster, then spent a few minutes afterward trying not to puke.
We also caught a fireworks show and released lanterns under the stars. It was one of those moments that felt perfect.
And then Skylar put the ring on my finger. Everything was great, except there was this feeling that we were always being watched from the shadows.
One day, I spotted Sandra sitting in a coffee shop on the corner. She raised a glass to me, that same calm but kind of tense look on her face.
“Didn’t you take my money? Why can’t you just end this? Why can’t you let me go?” she asked almost like she was trying to stay in control.
I blinked, surprised. “I put the card in the ward and had the nurse give it to you.”
She stayed silent for a moment, then came at me with more questions. I showed her my wedding ring and pointed to Skylar, who was waiting outside the window.
Sandra’s smile turned bitter, like she had just figured it out. “I get it now,” she said. “It’s not you who won’t leave.” She slid a contract across the table. A divorce agreement.
remembered what the woman in the sports car had said, Sandra couldn’t handle an affair. And now I understood. She had her pride.
She left without saying anything more and I called Chand right after.
He showed up almost immediately, panting and frantic. “Did she embarrass you? Did she hurt you?”
shook my head and pointed at the contract. He picked it up, flipped through it and signed it without a second thought. Then, he looked me right in the eyes. “Jayla, I’m leaving the house. From now on, I have nothing except you.”
just stared at him, disgusted. “You’re leaving because of your affair. Why should I care?” turned to walk away, but before I could reach Skylar, Chand grabbed me and shoved me into the car. No matter how many times I asked what he was doing, he just hit the gas and sped off. n the rearview mirror, I saw Skylar’s car and a police car following behind us with sirens blaring. Chand drove straight to the beach, slammed on the brakes and dragged me to the other side. At the end of the beach, there were pink balloons everywhere and a red carpet stretched across
the sand.
On the big backdrop, there were all the memories we had shared over the years. Along with them were the pieces of letters he had pieced together, one by one.
Chand pulled the diamond ring out of his pocket and dropped to one knee. “Jayla, everything that happened before… it was my fault. I see now how wrong I was. Looking back, I realize everything you did for me. Please, give me another chance to make things right.”
The lights came on slowly and soft music drifted through the air. “Jayla!”
I turned and saw Skylar, panting, his face sweating and hands tight in fists.
Chand grabbed me, pulling me back to face him, his eyes pleading. “Jayla, please, don’t look at him. I only realized how much you meant to me when you were gone. Please, just give me another chance.”
I yanked my hand free from his, coldly pushing him away. “Do you know how many times I’ve waited for you to step up, even just to give us some closure?”
I shook my head. “Instead, you went and made up this whole fake family thing. Should I thank you for giving me such a perfect illusion?”
I looked at him one last time, letting the words sink in. “Go back, Chand. Keep some dignity and let me forget this mess.”
