I looked into her eyes.
"If someone hurt me, what would you do?"
"Would you still protect me like you swore before—no matter the cost, even if it meant your life?"
Kathleen's hands trembled as she grabbed tissues to wipe my tears.
She didn't hesitate. Just nodded, fierce and certain.
"Anything, Abner. Whatever you need—just say it. I'll make it happen."
I held her gaze. Those eyes, so earnest. So sincere.
"Really?"
"Then I want you to kill Nathan."
Her head snapped up. She stared at me, frozen.
"What did you just say?"
Panic flickered across her face. "Did something happen? Did you misunderstand something?"
She was terrified I'd caught on.
Her whole body went rigid.
"After the company went under, Nathan resigned and moved abroad. I haven't had any contact with him in three years."
"Did he come after you while you were in prison? If he did, I swear I'll make him pay—"
I caught her wrist. Let out a soft laugh.
"I'm kidding."
"Murder's illegal, you know."
"You just got out of prison. How could I bear to send you back?"
"I was just teasing."
I turned away to grab something, keeping my expression hidden.
She couldn't see my face. Couldn't see what was really there.
She thought it was just a joke. I heard her exhale—relief bleeding out of her.
"Abner, I'm sorry."
"These three years... you've suffered so much."
I didn't turn around.
But in my heart, I thought:
It's fine.
Your reckoning is coming.
After Kathleen's release, I started making frequent trips to the hospital.
The doctor pulled me aside. "Are you really not going to tell your family?"
"This isn't some minor illness. Your wife has a right to know."
I shook my head, smiling faintly.
"Let's leave it. I don't want her to know. And I don't want treatment anymore."
Kathleen was lurking in the corridor, catching fragments of the conversation. But not enough to piece together.
When I walked out, she was waiting.
"How did it go?" Concern painted her features. "What did the doctor say?"
I smiled and shook my head, about to answer—
When Nathan's call cut through.
"Kathleen, I've got way too much cake at my place. Come help me finish it?"
"Oh, and I bought you a bikini set. Want to come try it on?"
"Sure. I'm on my way."
Her lips curved upward—just slightly—as she replied, voice perfectly calm.
She thought I hadn't heard. Covered the phone with her hand and turned to me, expression serious.
"Abner, remember that new project I mentioned? I'm going to discuss it now. If it works out, we might actually get back on our feet."
I stared into Kathleen's eyes.
When she'd proposed to me, those same eyes had been filled with sincerity.
Now they held that same sincerity.
But the lies spilling from her lips? She didn't even blink.
My gaze must have unnerved her. She started to fidget, nearly tripping over her own composure.
"Abner, are you... is something wrong?"
"Go ahead."
"If you can turn things around, you won't have to worry about those debt collectors anymore."
Those debt collectors—every single one of them sent by Kathleen herself.
They'd cornered me in that dead-end alley.
Stripped the house of anything worth taking.
Most days, I went three days between meals. When the hunger became unbearable, I'd drink tap water until my stomach stopped screaming.
Kathleen let out a breath of relief, grabbed her coat, and walked out.
I watched her retreating figure. Felt my gaze turn cold.
I thought about last night—waking up in tears, asking Kathleen—
