Chapter 4
When the plane landed in Southvale, I got a call from an unknown number.
It was Richard.
"Angelina, Chana broke your favorite antique vase by accident. She's so timid, she's been crying for ages, and begged me to call you to ask for your forgiveness.
"And Chana snipped off the flowers you've been taking care of for years. I've already sent my assistant to buy replacements. They're just things, anyway. You can always grow new ones when you're back," Richard said.
Richard's tone was so nonchalant, like it was no big deal at all.
He didn't call to ask why I blocked him. He called because of Chana.
It was drizzling in Southvale as I stepped out into the rain with my umbrella.
Richard said, "One more thing. Chana really likes the clothes in your closet, so I went ahead and gave them all to her myself. You can have your designer come over and make you new ones when you have time."
I replied flatly.
Richard clearly wasn't happy with my response. He held back his anger and called me. "Angelina, how long are you going to keep making a fuss for no reason?"
I hadn't caused any trouble or stirred up anything, but to Richard, it was still all on me.
Turns out, when he stopped loving me, even just breathing felt like a crime.
"Richard, I forgive Chana," I said.
That was exactly what Richard wanted to hear.
Before Richard could praise me, I added, "Richard, I forgive her for taking you away, for stealing everything I ever cared about. I hope you and she spend the rest of your lives together, never be apart, in this life or any other."
Hating him was just too exhausting. I was not long for this world anyway.
There was a long silence on the other end before Richard finally spoke.
"Angelina, you're getting more and more out of line.
"If you were even a third as sweet and obedient as Chana, things between us wouldn't have ended up like this.
"Let's not see each other for a while. Take some time to reflect on your actions," he said.
I hung up and, while I was at it, blocked his number as well.
Half an hour later, I showed up at the rental I'd booked ahead of time.
The owner turned out to be a cute, bald-headed girl dressed in traditional local clothes, her smile lighting up the whole place.
"Ms. Carter, just call me Olivia. If you need anything, just let me know. I'm always around," Olivia King said.
"Hey Olivia, you can just call me Angelina," I replied.
During our conversation, I learned Olivia has advanced liver cancer. The doctors told her she might have, at best, two years to live.
Still, she was so optimistic. She truly believed she'd make it another twenty years.
Life in Southvale was super relaxing. Every morning, I'd get up early and go grocery shopping with Olivia at the market.
She was a fantastic cook. She always made sure to make stuff I liked, but she could also whip up some seriously tasty local dishes.
Most days, I'd just sprawl out in the little courtyard full of flowers, soaking up the sun, just like my mom used to.
Time flew by, and before I knew it, two months had already passed.
One morning, Olivia took me on her bike to the beach to watch the sunrise.
When we got back, there were two unexpected guests standing outside the guesthouse.
It was Richard and pregnant Chana.
Olivia was quick to notice I wasn't happy to see Richard and Chana, and she immediately stood protectively in front of me.
Chana greeted me first.
"Angelina, Richard, and I came all the way just to see you," she said.
Olivia fired back without missing a beat, her voice sharp and fierce.
She snapped, "Please, you look way more like one than she does. I thought you were young, but turns out you're just a classic two-faced bitch. I don't welcome snakes like you."
Richard's face darkened as he barked, "Angelina, come here."
I didn't move.
Richard rubbed his forehead and said, "Angelina, Chana is really worried about her pregnancy. She hopes you could go to Hilltop Episcopal Church and light 999 candles for her baby, one for each step up the hill. She believes it would bring peace and blessings if you show your devotion this way."
The sky was cloudless, and the breeze was warm, but I felt frozen to the core.
"Richard, we're divorced. I don't owe you anything, and I have no obligation to go along with your unreasonable requests.
"I don't want to see you or Chana anymore.
"And one more thing. I'm dying," I said.