Chapter 2

Devin was devastated by Ethan's death in the car accident, but to his surprise, he caught a glimpse of a chance to finally fix the regrets that had haunted him.

That was just ridiculous!

So, just because he couldn't stand to see Meredith alone, I would have to pay the price and lose my husband, huh?

Then what about all those promises he made to me when we were together and got married?

Was that all just him trying to numb himself and pretend he was doing the right thing?

But what really broke me was when Devin told me that the baby I gave birth to back then wasn't actually dead.

Instead, because Meredith was too weak to have children, he took my baby and gave it to her to raise as her own.

Devin actually had the nerve to explain, "I just thought it would be better for the child to grow up in a 'complete family'..."

So, was I supposed to thank him and Meredith for giving the child I suffered so much to bring into this world what they call a 'complete family'?

Devin thought I was too far gone to hear anything he said.

But at that moment, I was hit with terrifying clarity. My mind was sharper than ever.

Regretful tears slid from my eyes.

I couldn't believe I had trapped myself for my entire short life because of a man like him.

But I didn't even have the strength to get up and slap him. I passed away with hatred in my heart, powerless to do anything more.

"Sandra, right now, the most important thing is to handle Devin's funeral," Devin said, his words snapping me out of my memories.

I looked up and met his eyes. He couldn't hold my gaze, his eyes darting away, avoiding mine.

It took me a long moment before I finally spoke, each word slow and deliberate.

"You're right, Ethan," I replied, my tone icy. "It's time for Devin to finally rest in peace."

Since he was so desperate to be with Meredith, I would just let him live out the rest of his life as Ethan.

At the funeral, I was heartbroken beyond words, my tears so raw and overwhelming that everyone present couldn't help but be moved.

They all thought my tears were for Devin lying in that coffin, but in reality, I was mourning the woman I used to be.

Devin and I met and started dating back in college. We were really close, and things were great between us.

The first time we met was at this tiny diner by the back gate of our university.

I ordered pasta, but I forgot to ask for no onions, so the pasta came out covered in them.

I was picking the onions out with my fork when I suddenly felt someone's gaze on me from across the diner.

I looked up and saw a really good-looking guy staring right at me.

His burning gaze made my cheeks grow warm, and I quickly turned away, my heart skipping a beat.

After that, we bumped into each other a few more times on campus.

Devin started pursuing me, and I was completely swept off my feet by his gentle, caring nature. I just couldn't help falling for him.

Every time we ate together, he'd always pick the onions out for me, which was just something he did without thinking.

But it wasn't until I died then that I realized this habit didn't start because of me.

I wasn't the only one who hated onions.

Devin told me he started getting close to me because seeing me pick out onions reminded him of Meredith.

Since Ethan and Meredith were together, he couldn't do it for her anymore, so he did it for someone else instead, trying to make up for what he'd lost.

Seriously, what a joke. He talked about it like he was put on this earth just to pick onions for someone else.

Staring at the dumping site, I could feel rage boiling inside me.

Fuming, I stormed into the house, grabbed a bunch of odds and ends, and dumped them straight into the dumpsters.

When Devin realized what I'd tossed in, he frantically reached out to snatch them back, but it was too late.

"Sandra, what are you doing? Aren't these all the things Devin gave you?" he blurted out, his voice full of shock.

Every single thing I threw into the dumpster was a gift Devin had given me back when we were dating.

To me, they used to be symbols of our love.

I cherished each one, keeping them tucked away like precious keepsakes in my cabinet.

Devin knew just how much those things meant to me, so when he saw me throw every last piece away without a second thought, he completely broke down.

When he confronted me, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

I choked out, "I'm tossing them away because Devin gave them to me! Keeping them around just makes me miss him even more. Every time I see them it's like another stab to my heart."

Devin's tone lost its edge. "But you can't just toss everything away. Can't you at least save one or two?"

"What's the point of keeping them now that he's gone?" I cut him off. "Devin's nothing but ashes now. Do you really think a pile of things could ever take the place of someone who's gone?"

The relatives nearby kept urging him to let it go.

They said, "Ethan, just let Sandra get rid of them. Devin's gone, and she's grieving."

Devin tried to say something several times, but in the end, he just shut his mouth.

I watched him struggle to hold himself together. They'd got it all wrong, because the one who was really hurting wasn't me.

By the second half of the funeral, I couldn't squeeze out another tear. I stepped outside for a breather.

That was when I ended up overhearing Devin and Meredith's conversation.

Meredith shot him a look and said, "Devin, you said you'd take care of me for the rest of your life. So why do you keep staring at Sandra? Did you forget you're not her husband anymore?"

Devin scrambled to defend himself, "No, it's not that. I just saw how hard she was crying and got worried she might break down or something."

Meredith pouted, looking all hurt. "But it's Ethan who died, not Devin! Devin, I'm really scared. Please don't leave me all alone, okay?

"Honestly, if Ethan hadn't confessed to me first, maybe you and I would've ended up together..."