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He’d come all the way from our hometown to visit Fiona and me,carrying bags of local specialties.
But when I arrived at the scene, all I could see was the wreckage and my father’s blood - streaked face.
Since the accident,this was Fiona’s first time visiting him in the hospital.
“Dad, how are you feeling?”
She set down a fruit basket,pretending to look concerned.
I stepped out to fetch water,unwilling to stand beside her.
Out of the corner of my eye,I could see her visibly relax.
When I returned,she was gripping my father’s hand and thanking him,her eyes red as if she’d just cried.
As soon as I came back,she made an excuse about having urgent work and left.
My father, trembling, grabbed my hand weakly. “Let it go. Just live a good life with her.”
Puzzled,I assumed that he’d sensed tension between Fiona and me.
But when I called the investigating officer, he said, sounding surprised, “Didn’t you settle? Your father agreed to it himself.”
My temples throbbed,my body shaking with rage.
Thinking back to Fiona’s visit, when she had held the phone to my father’s ear, it all became clear to me.
The police played the recording of my father’s agreement. The officer sighed helplessly and said, “It’s his voice, and he signed the settlement. That can’t be faked, right? Your family is so strange—one minute you want justice, and the next you don’t. And your wife has been going all out for the other guy—”
His words cut off.I lowered my head,clenching my fists.
Victor, following procedure, transferred the settlement money to my account. He smirked and leaned in close. “Fiona just cares about me too much. I told her I could pay, but she insisted on covering it.”
I nearly lost it,raising my hand.
“Honey!”Fiona suddenly appeared and grabbed my fist.
She shot Victor an annoyed glance,then forced her hand into mine.
“Honey,let’s go back to the hospital to see Dad.”
Before I could speak,Victor,standing nearby, interrupted angrily,“Fiona,I’m having a panic attack.Can you drive me home?”
Fiona hesitated for a second,then nodded.
I scoffed,pulling my hand free,and walked away.
On my way back,Fiona texted:
“Honey,I’ll be there soon.”
But night fell,and she never showed up at the hospital.
My phone buzzed incessantly.Not wanting to disturb my father,I stepped into the hallway to answer.
It was Fiona.
The moment I picked up,panting sounds flooded the receiver.
“Baby,are you wearing the set I bought you?”
“Of course,top and bottom,all of it.”
The constant sounds coming from the phone pierced my heart like countless needles.
I thought I’d grown used to this,that I’d let go of all feelings for Fiona.But facing it head-on tore open my healed scars, and blood started gushing anew.
After my father was discharged,he insisted on returning to our hometown.After seeing him off,I went home.
Opening the door,I found days-old leftovers moldering on the dining table.Every corner of the house screamed that Fiona hadn’t been back in a while.
Ignoring the stench,I headed to the bedroom to pack.
But as I reached the foyer,the door swung open from outside.
“Who are you?How’d you get into my son’s house?”
