Chapter 6%
It was the final day before I was to fake my death. The doctor called me again today. He said that Joshua, who had an appointment for a follow–up checkup, was nowhere to be found. I was packing my belongings, purging our home of every item that held memories of Joshua and me. My voice was as cold as ice as I spoke into the phone. “Dr. Carl, I’m sorry. I can’t reach him either. You’ll have to find another solution.“%
“Mrs. Sinclair, I know you’re upset with your husband. But come on, no fight between a married couple lasts forever! Life is what truly matters! Mr. Sinclair barely survived that accident. Please, talk to him.“%
My throat tightened and Dr Carl continued before I could respond, “Oh and Mrs. Sinclair, the hospital has something that was recovered from Mr. Sinclair’s car after the accident. You should come see it, I think it will help you understand how much he truly loves you.“%
He paused, then added, “He really does love you, you know.“%
After hanging up, I couldn’t help but let out a cynical laugh. Joshua loved me? He had made it abundantly clear that his past affections were a facade.
The love he had shown me was meant for Zafrielle all along. It was my own shamelessness that had stood in the way of their genuine love. Despite my resentment, I decided to go to the hospital. I had already erased all traces of my past, even the things that once belonged to Evelyn. So, I needed to deal with whatever item Joshua had left behind at the hospital, which Dr. Carl mentioned.
I didn’t want Joshua to have anything left to remember me by, not even after I was gone. If he never loved me, then there was no need to leave behind anything he could use to mourn me.%
When I arrived at the hospital, Dr. Carl handed me a box before returning to his next task. Inside the box was a thick notebook. Its pages were filled with our memories, from the day we married five years ago until now. He had meticulously recorded my every like and dislike, casual remarks I had made, things I had wanted to do and the surprises he had carefully planned.X
As I flipped through the pages, tears streamed down my face. It was the love that the past Joshua had shown me. After much hesitation, I couldn’t bring myself to throw the notebook away. I was pathetic, clinging to the remnants of a love I knew to be false.X
“Why are you here?” I never thought I would meet Joshua again with Zafrielle at the corner of the hospital corridor.%
His eyes were hostile, as if I were some villain. I instinctively stepped back, my palms sweating as I gripped the notebook. “Don’t worry, I’m not following you. I–I have a stomachache and came to get some medicine.“%
Joshua scoffed, “Hmph! You better not be!“?
As I turned to leave, I couldn’t resist glancing back at him. “I ran into Dr. Carl earlier. He couldn’t reach you. You have a follow–up appointment today, don’t forget.”%
“Stop trying to bother me! Evelyn, you’re wasting your time! No matter how you pretend, I won’t ever love you.” Joshua’s words were infuriating, but I suppressed the urge to argue with him. I reminded him that whether or not he went was his own decision.%
“Wait.” Zafrielle’s voice stopped me.%
I turned around, impatience evident in my expression. “What is it?“%
She smiled innocently, pointing at the notebook in my hand. “Evelyn, what’s that?“%
“None of your business,” I snapped, trying to act nonchalant./
Zafrielle tugged on Joshua’s arm, swaying playfully. “Joshua, I think I’ve seen that before. Isn’t it yours?“%
Joshua followed her gaze, making me feel a surge of panic. Fortunately, she didn’t dwell on it; he couldn’t even bear to speak to me anymore. He casually put his arm around her, his voice filled with affection. “It’s alright, Zafrielle. Let the past stay in the past. I’ll make it up to you.”%
I turned and walked away, not wanting to spend another second in their presence. At the faked death agency, Shawn sat across from me. His face was worried as he saw the notebook lying on the table. I stared at the final confirmation paper, my emotions in turmoil.
“Evelyn, if you’re having second thoughts, then… Shawn started.%
I looked up at him, my eyes filled with determination and signed my name on the contract. “It’s okay, Shawn, I’ve made up my mind. I have one more request, though.“%
“What is it?“%
“I want this notebook to be given to Joshua as my final memento after I ‘die‘.” I had changed my mind; I wanted him to see how fake he had been. Our marriage wasn’t one–sided and he had played a role just as cunning as mine.”
Shawn studied me for a moment. He had no idea what was inside the notebook, but he eventually nodded. “Alright.”
I smiled. Shawn had always been the same. He never turned me down, no matter what I asked. The agency staff began to call Joshua, informing him of my death. Evelyn was about to bid farewell to this world forever and Sierra’s life was about to begin.