Chapter 3

"Here we go again. I just said one thing wrong and you're already acting up? I'm here with you, just the two of us. What else do you want from me? Can you stop with the drama?"

His barrage of questions left me speechless.

The stares from the people around us felt like getting slapped in the face.

I blinked away the burn in my eyes, forcing myself to stay quiet.

Charles finally eased up. "Alright, I messed up earlier. Just take a moment and cool off."

After saying that, he paid the bill, grabbed his things, and headed out.

Our first day in Bhodan, we went our separate ways, neither of us in a good mood.

I stood there for a while, then went to Gallery Lane by myself.

There was a private art gallery on Gallery Lane where Charles and I had bought a painting years ago, a piece that captured our love story, from Daniel Foster, the gallery owner.

To my surprise, even after all these years, Daniel Foster, the gallery owner, recognized me right away.

"Ms. Janssen, or should I call you Mrs. Harper now? It's been ages. Did you come with Mr. Harper?" Daniel asked.

I gave him a small smile. "Long time no see. Just stick with Ms. Janssen.

"Actually, I was hoping you could paint something for me again."

Daniel paused for a moment, then smiled. "Sure. What do you want me to paint?"

I felt the pain in my stomach, hesitated for a couple of seconds, then said softly, "My portrait, for when I'm gone."

Daniel was completely stunned, staring at me in disbelief.

I felt a bit awkward and said, "If you think it's too morbid, just forget I ever brought it up..."

Daniel interrupted me right away. "No, it would be my honor."

As he spoke, his eyes swept over me, taking in how thin I'd become.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of sadness wash over me.

Even a friend I hadn't seen in years could see how much weight I'd lost.

But my husband, who shared my bed but not my heart, hadn't noticed a thing.

Maybe he did notice, but he just didn't care.

I sent him my favorite photo, arranged to pick up the painting in seven days, and then headed back to the hotel.

I booked the same hotel where Charles had proposed to me years ago, specifically requested the same room.

I was hoping that when Charles and I returned to the hotel together, maybe we could relive a bit of our past.

But when I got back alone, the room was dim, just the mood lights glowing softly.

Charles had already crashed for the night.

Just as I started to feel that familiar pang of disappointment, my attention was drawn to a bowl of noodles on the table.

I froze for a moment, then with stiff legs, walked over. The bowl was packed to the brim, still steaming hot.

The rising steam blurred my vision, making my eyes sting as tears welled up.

He still left me a bowl of noodles, but he would never wait up for me again.

Maybe that's for the best. At least after I'm gone, he won't lose sleep over me.

Fighting back tears, I forced down a few bites, but my stomach twisted so badly I ended up in the bathroom, throwing it all up.

Staring at my reflection, I saw how even makeup couldn't hide how haggard I'd become. I just felt utterly powerless inside.

The journey I'd imagined, one last blaze of life, was burning out before I could shine brightly one last time. I was simply too spent, too close to the end.

When I woke up the next morning, I saw Charles sitting by the bed, watching me.

For once, he actually tried to explain. "I had a meeting that went all night the day before, so I was just wiped out last night, and..."

Of course. The night before last, he never came home, and Sophia posted a photo of them out drinking together late at night on her feed.

I just muttered a quick reply, too tired to argue, then got up, washed up, and put on my makeup.

As I was putting on my foundation, Charles suddenly said, "Why do you look so worn out lately? You never used to bother with makeup when we came to Bhodan."

I paused, looking at him. "Just say it if you think I look like some old hag."

Charles was caught off guard, then got pissed off again, calling me ungrateful, unreasonable, and saying I was biting the hand that feeds me.

Still bickering, we checked out, rented an SUV, and headed for Coralmere.

It was the closest of the three sacred lakes to Highland City.

We pulled up by the lake, and just as I was about to get out, Charles's phone rang.

He snatched the phone up in a flash, like he was trying to hide it from me.