“Mel, are you sure you want to do this? Your father and I are worried about you...”
My adoptive parents spoke at the same time, and I could hear the worry in their voices.
“Yes. This time I'll be taking a new identity.” My tone was flat. “From now on, there is no more Melanie Henson.”
“What!”
“Can you really let go of Oliver Gilbert? And Regina, she's your best friend.”
I paused, then let out a bitter little laugh.
“They're together. I walked in on them in the middle of it.”
The line went dead silent. After a string of sighs, they told me to keep my chin up.
“We'll handle everything on this end for you. In three days, we'll come get you.”
After I hung up, I let out a long breath. Every trace of information was erased, my marriage to Oliver Gilbert dissolved, and I felt lighter than I ever had.
The wind bit through me. I got up to leave, but my heel turned under me and I went down, unable to stand.
The compact mirror shattered across the ground, and in the scattered glass I saw the reflection of Oliver Gilbert and Regina Larson.
I turned and realized the door of the private room had been left open a crack on purpose, wide enough to see the two of them pressed together.
Regina glanced over and noticed me, and the necklace slid down to her feet, where she crushed it under her heel, dead center.
Oliver was like a man entranced, thinking of nothing but pulling her in for a kiss.
“Mr. Gilbert, Miss Henson is gone. She's not at the entrance either.”
The assistant reported it quietly at his side. Oliver waved a hand, unbothered. “It's fine. She won't actually leave me.”
I left my bag and shoes right there and walked home barefoot, limping, wind and rain lashing me the whole way until I was soaked through.
At least it was dark by the time I finally made it. The moment I pushed the door open, party poppers and fireworks went off together. The room was decked out in lavish decoration, and at the center of the round table sat a ten-tier fondant cake.
“Welcome home, Regina! Happy tenth anniversary! Wishing Regina and Oliver a sweet and happy life together!” The staff had gathered as one, their faces full of joy.
The lights came on, and the festive mood dropped into dead silence. Soaked to the skin, I stood barefoot in the doorway, greeted by a celebration that was not for me.
Every one of the staff went wide-eyed. The housekeeper stammered, “Miss Henson, you're finally home. We were rehearsing this year's April Fools' skit. Sorry to bother you, we'll clear everything away right now.”
The celebration was whisked away in no time. I stood in the doorway, teeth clenched, watching it all. So everyone in this house had been lying to me.
Looking at the huge wedding photo in the hall, all I felt was the mockery of it. In a fit of fury I picked up the antique vase beside me and hurled it at the wall.
The glass burst apart in an instant. I walked across the glass-strewn floor, took down the photo, and carefully tore out my half. From now on I would never appear in the same frame as Oliver Gilbert again.
I picked up a lighter, ready to burn the photo to nothing.
“A heartless traitor. I never want to see him again.”
“Never see who again? Where are you going?”
Oliver's breathing was slightly ragged as he watched my expression with care.
“I was tied up talking business the whole time. Why did you come home ahead of me?”
He pulled me into his arms, his hands settling at my waist.
“Don't worry, Mel. From now on, wherever you are, that's where I'll be. I want to be with you forever.”
I pushed his hands away, the corners of my mouth curving up, and asked lightly,:
“And if I disappeared?”
Oliver gripped my hand, his face set.
“Then I'd disappear with you. Mel, you're the only reason I have to keep living.”
I didn't answer. I just stared at the kiss mark on his neck.
Oliver, your words will come true in three days.
He looked at the wreckage of the house, knowing he hadn't taken good care of me.“Mel, I'm sorry I let you come home alone today. I'll never let you leave me again.”
After fussing over me and getting me dressed up, he took me to the most famous upscale restaurant in the city.
The moment we walked in, the servers came forward eagerly to greet us.“Will it be the usual today, starting with Ms. Larson's favorite dishes?”
Oliver cleared his throat and waved it off.“Bring out one of everything on the menu. And change the music to Mel's favorite, something soft.”
Watching Oliver put on his composed act, I only found it funny.
“Guess what surprise I've got for you, Mel.”
Lights suddenly flickered across the pitch-black sky, and countless drones spelled out my name.
“Ten years went by so fast. We'll definitely have another ten!”
Oliver held my hand and said it tenderly.
I didn't respond. Just as I was settling in to eat in peace, a flung glass came out of nowhere and splashed across the hem of my dress.
“I'm sorry, Mel, are you all right!”
