Chapter 13
“She’s here for the comic convention. I actually made a whole book of paper–cut illustrations for her. I wonder if she’ll like it?”
Jessica’s throat tightened.
She watched as Timothy and Henry stepped into the elevator together.”
She was the one who had taught Henry how to make those paper–cut illustrations.
Most kids loved cartoons, and since she couldn’t speak, she’d worried Henry might get bored when she watched him. After each show, she’d sit with him and do crafts, cutting out his favorite cartoon characters, making up little stories, and pasting them into a scrapbook.
Henry used to praise her for how pretty her paper–cuts looked, and in time, he’d learned to do it alongside her.”
They’d created so many of those illustrated scrapbooks together.
Henry once promised that when he could finish a whole book by himself, the very first one would be for his mom.}
Jessica never expected that day would come so soon–that Henry could already make a whole scrapbook on his own.
Her face pale, Jessica stepped wordlessly into the elevator.
Back in her room, a dull ache burned in her stomach, and fatigue pressed down like a heavy blanket.}}
She poured herself a glass of water, took some medicine, and lay down to rest.
Her sleep was restless, haunted by shadows. In the end, a nightmare jolted her awake.}
She’d dreamed of that fire from seven years ago…!
Frowning, Jessica grabbed her phone. It was already seven thirty in the evening.”
There was an old town near the hotel.
Built beside a lake, each night at eight, crowds would gather along the shore for a half-hour fireworks show.
It reminded her of the Silverthread River back in Riverside City–where fireworks burst over the water every evening. If you dined at The Silverthread Eatery, the view from the rooftop was spectacular.
She had always wanted to see the fireworks show. The Silverthread Eatery was less than thirty minutes from The Gilded Whisper Estates, but in seven years, Timothy had never taken her. Not even once.
Back then, newly married, she longed for those little moments with the man she loved. If Timothy wouldn’t go, she felt there was no point in going alone. So the wish was shelved and forgotten.
But now, with her days numbered, she owed herself this one small dream.
She got up, washed her face, threw on a coat, and headed out.
At the lakeside, crowds drifted along the promenade.2
Couples walked hand–in–hand, whispering, some stealing kisses beneath the streetlights.
Vendors wove through the throng, offering roses to every pair they passed.
Oakwood was a city of eternal spring. Almost every rose in the country came from here–so many varieties, in colors brighter than a painter’s palette. Jessica’s own love story had never involved roses. In truth, it had always been a one–woman show.
She tore her gaze away from the blooms.
The fireworks show was about to begin.
With a sharp boom, the first firework soared into the sky.
It lit up the dusk, scattering color across the rippling water.
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One after another, bursts of twin lotus blossoms bloomed above the lake, sending people reaching for their phones to capture the moment.
It was beautiful–utterly so. If you could stand here, hand in hand with someone you loved, it would be unforgettable.
No wonder couples flocked to watch the show.
hot up
But after ten, maybe fifteen thinutes, Jessica felt her interest fade.
This dazzling spectacle wasn’t meant for her.
A chill crept in as the night breeze swept past.
She turned to leave. Just then, a firework burst overhead, washing the crowd in color–and in that brief glow, she met Timothy’s eyes across the way.
He had draped his suit jacket over Sheila’s shoulders. Sheila held Henry close, radiant with happiness.
Timothy seemed to see Jessica too. He took a step in her direction.
Then the firework faded, and the world went dark again.
Chapter
