Chapter 2

I wasn't surprised when Darius found me. He'd installed a tracking app on my phone.

He said he was worried my depression might flare up and wanted to protect me.

But now I realized the real reason. He was just afraid I'd go cause trouble for Cindy, so he kept tabs on me.

My eyes felt dry as I stared blankly at the wishing fountain ahead.

I said, "I heard say this wishing fountain really works. I came here to make a wish."

Quietly, I made three wishes in my heart.

First, I wished to divorce Darius and never cross paths with him again.

Second, I wished that the babies I never got to meet would find loving parents eventually.

Third, I wished my mom wouldn't hate me for loving someone who shielded a murderer, or for even wanting to have his child.

Darius draped his coat over my shoulders and playfully tapped my nose. "You should wear more layers. Your hands are ice-cold. So, what did you wish for just now?"

I stared at him, numb, watching him put on his whole loving husband act. "Us, the kids, and my mom."

His expression faltered for a moment, and he looked at me long and hard. "Cindy is still your half-sister. She was heartbroken too when your mom died. You two are all the family you've got left. It's been four years already. Maybe you should…"

I got what he was hinting at and said, steady, "I know. I won't stir things up anymore."

I'd already gone through the whole lawsuit, and Cindy wasn't convicted.

I didn't appeal at the time, and even if I withdrew the letter of forgiveness he signed now, it wouldn't change the outcome.

Darius let out a subtle sigh of relief, the corners of his mouth lifting as he looked much more relaxed. "Honey, I'm really glad you can finally let it go. From now on, it'll just be us, and we'll finally be happy."

I just listened quietly, not saying a word.

When we got home, Darius said he needed to get some work done in his study.

I went to the bedroom and hit up my lawyer to get the divorce papers ready.

Once I'd printed it out and signed it, I made a beeline for the study.

But when I got there, the door was ajar and the place was empty.

It was the first time I'd ever set foot in Darius's study. The place was perfectly tidy and spotless.

In a half-open drawer, I found a photo of Cindy.

I turned it over. On the back were just two words: "My Beloved."

I thought I could finally accept reality calmly, but I couldn't. It felt like someone was squeezing my heart so hard I could barely breathe.

On the desk sat a beautifully crafted gift box. Inside was a gorgeous red diamond necklace, worth a fortune.

The necklace was stunning. The center red diamond was about an inch wide, with tiny diamonds glittering around it, catching the light with every movement.

On the back of the necklace was engraved "Cindy."

My breath caught, and I let out a bitter, knowing laugh. I was crushed, but I finally saw things clearly.

This was enough. I should leave.

I reached out to the police and pulled up the letter of forgiveness Darius had signed four years ago.

*****

Early the next morning, Darius spoke softly to me, "Vera, tomorrow's your sister's birthday. Let's plan a birthday party for her together.

"I've already invited Cindy to dinner on your behalf. You two have been estranged for so long. It's time to make peace. Just do it for me, okay?"

I gazed at Darius in silence. He was trying so hard to comfort me, his voice gentle and pleading, his dark eyes filled with affection and sincerity.

For some reason, my thoughts drifted back to the darkest, most broken time of my life.

That year, he looked at me just like this, gently taking the knife from my hand and saving me when I tried to end it all.

"Okay," I said.

This would be the last time I went along with what he wanted.

Let this be my way of repaying him for all those times he pulled me out of the depths of my depression.

On Cindy's birthday, Darius booked out an entire restaurant and transformed it into a cozy, romantic space.

As soon as Cindy walked in, Darius instantly dropped my hand and walked straight up to her. "Cindy, happy birthday! Here's your present."

With that, he presented her with the dazzling red diamond necklace.

Only then did he seem to remember I was still in the room. His face flashed with awkwardness as he forced a smile. "Vera and I prepared it together."

Cindy's eyes lit up and she flashed a bright smile. "Thank you, I love it."

As soon as Darius headed off to the kitchen, Cindy's smile dropped instantly. She walked over to me, all high and mighty.

She said, "Wow, Mrs. Rochester, you actually remember your poor sister? That's rare. But you do know, right? Your man? He's just the spare I tossed aside."