Chapter 2
I had no idea when David got back.
When I woke up, the sun was already up.
He was sitting at the table, eating breakfast.
"When did you get back?" I asked.
I was surprised by how hoarse my voice sounded, and I could feel my forehead burning up.
When I went to pick up Sophie's ashes, I forgot my umbrella. I used my body to shield her urn from the rain. No wonder I caught a fever.
"Just now. Margaret got caught in the rain last night, and she wasn't feeling well, so I stayed with her to take care of her," David said.
Just for a bit.
All night.
Same rain, nothing special.
But everything was different.
My eyes felt dry, but in the end, I kept quiet.
Then I caught sight of something tied around his wrist.
"Is that a blessing bracelet from the West Church for the exams?" I asked.
"Yeah, Margaret's daughter had her exams, so I went to the temple to wish her luck," David replied.
"It worked, too. She's expecting a pretty good score," he added.
David said it so casually, like it was nothing at all.
But the road to the West Church was always a pain. Cars couldn't even get close.
He just said he stopped by, like it was no big deal.
"So why did you bring it back?" I asked.
"Isn't Sophie taking the SATs next year? Margaret thought it'd be nice to bring her some luck, so she asked me to grab one for Sophie too," David replied.
Next year?
Sophie's exams were this year!
He didn't even remember.
But he remembered when Margaret wasn't feeling well.
I just smiled and didn't say another word.
After he finished breakfast, I finally spoke up.
"Are you free this afternoon? I want you to handle a lawsuit for me," I said.
He looked at me, surprised.
"What kind of case? Is it important?" he asked.
My throat tightened, and after a long pause, I finally managed to speak, my voice dry and strained.
"It's important," I said.
"My friend's daughter was dragged into the boys' restroom during the SATs. I want those bastards to pay for what they did. I want them to suffer."
David nodded, no questions asked.
"Sure. What time in the afternoon? Margaret said Emily left her pen at the exam hall, so I'll swing by and grab it. The afternoon works out," David replied.
"Two o'clock. If you head out now, you won't have much time," I said.
I froze, searching for a way to change his mind.
"Can you take care of the case first? This case means a lot to me. I can easily get Emily another pen," I said.
David let out a sigh.
"It's different, Linda. That pen is a keepsake from Emily's dad. It's really precious to her," he said.
"Can't she just pick it up herself?" I asked.
"That's enough," David replied, still gentle but leaving no room for argument. "Margaret and Emily have been through a lot. If I can do something for them, even if it's just a little thing, I will."
"It won't take long," he added.
I watched him walk away.
He drove thirty-five kilometers, all that way just to fetch a pen for Margaret.
He left me with a promise.
Three hours passed, and he still hadn't returned.
Four hours went by, and he was still nowhere in sight.
With just three minutes left before the trial started, he was still nowhere to be found.
David was absent again.
I wasn't surprised at all.
But I still hit call.
It took three tries before he finally picked up.
"Where are you?" I asked.
My voice was steady, but inside I was shaking.
"Sorry, Emily told me some of her classmates were falsely accused of rape. It's urgent. Those kids need my help more right now," David said.
"Your friend's daughter still has a chance to appeal. Let's deal with it next time," he added.
I pleaded with him to fight for our daughter.
But he said helping Emily's classmates was more important.
"Forget it. There won't be a next time," I said.
I hung up.
I scrambled to find another lawyer and offered him three times the usual rate.
He rushed over and, thank God, made it just before the deadline.
But the moment I stepped inside, I was stunned.
Turns out, David was already there.
But he was there as the defense attorney for those bastards.