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368words
In the hospital,I woke to James at my bedside,gripping my hand,dark circles under his eyes.
My heart ached.
He stirred,lashes fluttering,checking on me.“Lily,how do you feel?”
My casted leg was immobile.I forced a smile.“I’m fine,James.”
He frowned,his puppy eyes sad,the mole by his eye making him look pitiful.
I laughed,patting his head.“It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“What about Ethan?”
His face darkened.“You’re still thinking of that monster after what he did?”
Seeing my silence,he scoffed.“He’s with his girlfriend at her checkup.”
“Lily,forget him.Come with me.I’ll protect you.”
He hooked my pinky,swinging it.
I nodded at his pleading look.“Okay.”
He beamed,diligently peeling an apple.
Guilt gnawed at me.
I’m sorry,James.I lied.
That starless night,I’d decided to break my chains.
I told James I wanted to see the sea again.
He wheeled me to the coast.
The wind lifted my white skirt.
The dark sea stretched endlessly.
A gray sky hinted at a coming storm.
I gazed calmly at the water.“James,the butterfly can’t cross the ocean.That story was always a tragedy.”
At another family dinner,Ethan had Mrs.Wilson set a separate table for me.
The main table was lively without me.
Emma touched her belly,glancing at me provocatively.
“Ethan,the baby’s kicking,”she cooed.“It wants shrimp bisque.”
Ethan,unusually quiet,served her a bowl.
“Since Emma’s pregnant,move up the wedding,”Dad declared.
Ethan looked sullen.“Dad,let’s wait.”
Mom glanced at me.“You can wait,but her belly can’t.”
I picked up a piece of tofu,its sheen glowing under the light.
I ate it,set down my fork,and smiled silently.
Ethan’s sins,my pain—they were swept away like nothing.
My heart no longer hurt.
Emma clutched her stomach,groaning in pain.
Ethan stood,reaching for his phone,then spat blood.
“Dad…”he gasped.Dad and Mom were already down,vomiting blood.
Mrs.Wilson screamed,calling 911 with Mr.Thompson.
I loomed over them,splashing hot bisque on their faces,scalding their skin.
“Mr.Caldwell,Mom,what a shame—this is our last family dinner.”
Ethan’s eyes fluttered open,struggling to speak.
I watched them writhe like maggots,laughing until tears fell.
Their blood mingled,a vivid painting.
I remembered a painting James made for me.
He’d hidden it,shy,but I glimpsed a girl in a white dress,sleeping on a golden beach under warm sunlight.
I coughed blood,collapsing.
As my eyes closed,I thought,I’ll never see that warm sun again.
