On a late Saturday night, when Lucy should be welcoming him with his usual hot coffee, a tight smile on her face and a fresh buddle of complaints, Aiden Carter finds himself welcomed by a dreadful silence and the news of his wife running away with h...
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Behind me, I hear Jace curse under his breath. But I can't. Not after what I heard. I hear Alya's words in my head. 'He would spit curses at me' Lucy had said, something like that. I don't think I can ever swear again in my life, without failing to blame myself. This is what Lucy has done. Made me blame myself for something I didn't even do. Life has never been this messed up. What did I do to deserve this?
Forcing myself to focus on the paper in my hand. I try to read.
'You drank. You drank as if there is no tomorrow, as an unstable man. Of all the fears I have, this scares me most, having to deal with a drunk man. It was one of our wedding vows remember? To never ever drink.
It's a sin. It leaves you in a trance. It scared me.
That was one of the most horrible things I've had to deal with. To look at you and not flinch, while the thought ran wild in my head, I was somehow becoming scared of my own husband.
You were changing. And I wondered why. And you gave me no answer.'
'Oh God.' I close my eyes and take deep breaths. Behind me, Jace shifts uncomfortably. I can't blame him. This, this letter, it doesn't make sense. As if I would ever want to take a single sip of alcohol. But the fact she seems to believe that I have, so firmly, it scares me. Because it proves what everyone keeps saying.
There was something wrong with Lucy.
I wipe away a tear that must have leaked from my eyes.
'It's just one reason. And it's not true. It can't be a reason she left. It can't.' I shake my head. As if I haven't been feeling lost already, now I'm not sure if I feel anything at all.
'It's not.' Jace says shortly. Then he sighs. 'It looks like we're not going to get that rest. I think we should look for all the other reasons. Can you please think of another memory when Lucy might have felt the need to eat a chocolate cake?'
'Not yet. I can't think while knowing there can be another reason hidden here somewhere. Can we search the kitchen first? I can't stand the temptation. It's killing me.'
He nods, and we start. It's not that hard. We all know what we're searching for. Eva joins us, though I bet she doesn't really understand what's going on. But she seems eager to help.
It takes ten minutes to find the next bottle, And it's Eva again who finds it. Handling it to me, she whispers good luck. I can't help but smile at her. But my smile slips as I stare at the piece of parchment inside.
'Break it.' Dave says. And I listen.
The sound of glass breaking makes me wonder if my heart makes any sound when it breaks. While Dave cleans the counter, I stare at the folded paper, not wanting to read what's inside. I'm scared.
Memories threatened to blind me again. And for once, I simply have no choice but to fight back. I think of Lucy. Lucy who stole my child away from me. And somehow, the thought forces the memories away, at least for a while.
