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she had faked a seizure,sending Sarah away.Paul,watching her,fell asleep on the couch,fooled by her pretending to sleep.
Her note said she lived with dignity and would leave the same way.
Paul broke down,hugging me,eyes red.
“Emma…”
I looked at Nathan.He glanced away.
I:…
So noble,so generous,so kind.
I pushed Paul off.“Don’t.”
“Sorry,Emma,it’s my fault,I…”
“It’s her choice.Not anyone’s fault.We should respect it.”
We didn't even know that she had bought her own burial plot years ago.
At the cremation,Sarah showed up,unhinged.
She claimed Mrs.Carter killed herself after seeing me,blaming me for saying something triggering.
“She had already named our kids.She was looking forward to them.She wouldn’t do this.”
Sobbing,she seemed more her daughter than we were.
“You witch…”
She lunged.Paul held her back.
“Sarah,that’s enough!”
She fainted right then and there.
Paul took her to the hospital.Nathan and I brought Mrs.Carter’s ashes home.
Seeing her worn slippers by the shoe rack,I collapsed,sobbing.
Sarah spent most of her pregnancy in the hospital but still managed to keep her social media account active active,shifting from travel vlogs to parenting content.
Her twin girls were born safely.
At their 100-day celebration,she added me,inviting Nathan and me.I declined.
She invoked Mrs.Carter:[Grandma would want you to see Lily and Grace.They look like their dad as a kid.]
I:…
Then she fake-apologized,hoping I’d forgive her past offenses for the kids and Mrs.Carter.
[When you and Nathan have kids,we can hang out,let them be playmates.]
I tossed my phone to Nathan.
“Hinting you want a kid?”
I gave him an eye-roll.
Ten minutes later,he returned my phone,smug.“Easy.”
Nathan:[Yeah,Paul sent me pics.They’re similar,especially the eyes.]
Nathan:[Past’s past.I’m over it.]
Sarah:[Good.]
Nathan:[100-day party…might just be me.]
Sarah:[Nathan’s busy?]
Nathan:[His family set him up on a date.We fought,so I’m moody—not at you.]
Sarah:[Oh,like that…]
Nathan:[Men talk sweet.He promised his family wouldn’t leave me nameless.Now he’s‘helpless,’asking me to understand.]
Nathan:[Soon,he’ll say it’s a business marriage,make me the mistress.]
Sarah:[Nathan loves you.He wouldn’t.]
Nathan:[Paul said that too.Only I know his feelings are fading.]
Nathan:[He’s bothered I’m divorced,thinks I’m tainted.]
Nathan:[Sarah,do you mind Paul thinking of another woman?]
