Chapter 4
“Where’s my ring?” I asked. “The one my mother left me.”
The question seemed to shatter his defenses, plunging us into a long silence.
“It’s at home. Once you’re better, we’ll go back and get it…” he said.
“I don’t care; I want it now!” I demanded.
He was taken aback. I hadn’t shown such a
stubborn side in a long time. Over the years of
Added to the library
our marriage, Thad always been obedient, never forcing him to do anything.
“Then… I’ll go get it for you.”
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+ 5 Points
“I’m coming with you.”
He initially intended to refuse, but I persisted like a spoiled, willful child.
He had no choice but to take me to the lakeside.
The cold wind was biting, and he tried to wrap his arms around me.
I pulled away. “Why are we here?”
He lowered his head, unable to meet my gaze. “Before… when we were rowing together, the ring fell into the water.”
My tears began to fall.
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He reached out to wipe them away but
hesitated.
“Arthur, find it for me,” I demanded, pointing to
the icy lake. “You said you’re the best for me, didn’t you?”
He showed displeasure at this unreasonable request only for a moment. Instead, his face reflected a sense of resignation and a slight
smile.
“Yeah, Cary, I’m the best for you.” He gently embraced me. “You should remember, no one
else in this world will be as good to you as I
am…”
Then he plunged into the lake.
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As the night deepened, I stood silently on the shore, watching him struggle in the frigid water.
After over an hour, he climbed back onto the
shore, his face pale, holding the ring with a pleading smile.
“Cary, look, I found it for you.”
I smiled and gently patted his head. “You’re really great.”
A glimmer of light appeared in his gray eyes, and he reached for my hand.
I pulled away and turned to leave.
“I’m tired.”
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His smile faded again, and he followed me with his head down, like a dog.
That night, he came down with a high fever. He refused to leave, ignored his wet clothes, and set up a bed in my hospital room for himself.
I sat by his bedside, peeling an apple, listening to him reminisce about how sweet and loving
we used to be.
The doctor said talking about the past might help me remember some things.
I remained silent for a long time. Pay
“Cary? Are you listening?” he asked cautiously.
I blinked, as if coming back to reality, and
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picked up the already peeled apple.
He reached out to take it.
+ 5 Points
“Who are you?” I took a bite, ignoring him.
His hand froze mid–air, fingers trembling.
“I’m just kidding, Arthur,” I laughed. “Why are you so nervous?”
I wanted to make him laugh through his tears, cry through his laughter, make him hurt, tire him out, give him hope only to plunge him into despair.
Just as he did to me.
