Jake picked up Tiffany. “Chloe, what are you
doing?!”
Tiffany cried. “Uncle, I just wanted to bring her
food and drink, but she blamed me for killing
her mother. She spilled everything, and then
threw wine at me. I would’ve been killed if you
didn’t come.”
<
54
“I made the food with my own hands, not that it
was fancy. I also got burned from the hot water…”
Jake turned cold. “Chloe, your mother’s heart
attack was her own fault. She shouldn’t have tried to interfere with her children’s affairs. It’s normal to change your mind before getting married. Tiffany cared that you didn’t eat, but you blamed her for it.”
I looked at him, dumbfounded. He said those ridiculous words so naturally. “Jake, tell me, how did my mother die? Did you really give my heart to her?”
Jake frowned. “Of course. I told you already, your mother rejected the heart. It has always been a risk to do heart transplants. Don’t be ungrateful and say sorry to Tiffany!”
I laughed and cried. This was the man I loved for seven years. He couldn’t even be honest
<
with me. I grabbed the wine bottle and ignored
the broken glass as I chugged the rest of it
down. My lips were cut from the bottle.
The pain was unbearable. Jake widened his
eyes. “Chloe, your body can’t handle alcohol.
Stop it!”
I threw the bottle on the ground and smiled.
“You’re right, why be ungrateful? I drank what
your precious Tiffany had to offer, are you satisfied now?” I turned and ran away.
Jake was about to reach out, but Tiffany pulled on his arm. “Uncle, my heart is acting up again. I think it was because your aunt scared me…”
Jake looked at me for a second, then went to comfort Tiffany.
That night, Jake didn’t come back home. I packed all my things and burned them. He called me the next day. “Chloe, I’m sorry for
<
yesterday. I know your mom’s death is a soft
spot for you. I shouldn’t have said those
things.”
“But Tiffany’s heart isn’t doing well, and I’m her
uncle, I need to take care of her.”
I said calmly, “It’s alright. I was being impulsive. Take good care of her.”
“You drank last night, your chest must be hurting. I’ll have a new mechanical heart ready tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.”
The next morning, Jake never came. That was fine, not all goodbyes needed to be in person. I left the divorce paper on the table and walked
out.
Jake called as I got to the hospital. “Sorry,
Chloe, I had to go save another patient. I will
<
switch out your mechanical heart at night. I’ll
have my assistant to pick you up.”
“Tomorrow is our seven–year anniversary. After
I change your heart, I will take you out for some
good food.”
What an excuse to lie. Jake didn’t know that
Tiffany already texted me. He was buying her a
limited–edition pink diamond necklace at an
auction because she dirtied one of her dresses
with wine.
That was the first time Jake remembered our
anniversary. He was doing it with someone else.
“Okay, I also want to get you a present.”
“Really? I am excited.”
I hung up, looking at the blue sky for the last
time, and walked into the hospital.
Goodbye, Jake.
<
Meanwhile, Jake was busy getting the necklace
for Tiffany, and he took her to a candle–lit
dinner, before hurrying to the hospital. He found
out that I wasn’t there yet. He looked at his
watch, 12:00 AM. Why is Chloe not here yet? He
was about to call, when his assistant ran in with
a box. “Mr. Walker, your wife isn’t home. This
was just delivered. It’s a present from Mrs.
Walker to you.”
