Epilogue 2
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Epilogue 2
When I arrived, Kamila was sitting in the funeral home, holding Paige on her lap.
In Paige’s arms was a small urn.
It was obvious. I knew in an instant what it was.
I didn’t even get to see Gwen one last time.
Paige cried, saying she wanted her mommy and refused to let me hold her.
In the end, Kamila had to comfort her, telling her that mommy had gone to a faraway place.
Paige stopped crying and clutched the small urn tightly.
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Kamila took Paige to the grasslands and scattered the ashes into the wind.
I followed behind them.
I can’t remember how I felt at that time.
Perhaps the pain was so deep that I was left speechless.
I wandered aimlessly for a week.
I asked Kamila to look after Paige for a while.
She said nothing and silently boarded the plane home with Paige.
I stayed in the place they had been for another week, trying to find some trace of Gwen left
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behind.
Afterward, I spent my days drinking heavily.
Only when I was drunk could I see Gwen one last time.
I even hoped that one day I’d succumb to alcohol poisoning and join Gwen.
I found Gwen’s diagnosis in the house, along with a drawer full of painkillers.
Guilt. Self–reproach. Regret.
I was filled with hatred.
123
Hatred for myself–why hadn’t I noticed sooner?
If only I had noticed earlier, Gwen wouldn’t have
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left so soon.
In the end, it was Kamila who came and snapped me out of it.
She brought a letter–Gwen’s last will, sent to Kamila.
Along with the letter, she had also sent gifts for Paige’s future birthdays, up until she turned twenty.
Gwen was a good mother.
But I wasn’t a good father.
I picked up the letter and read it carefully.
Gwen had entrusted me with the task of taking care of Paige until she turned twenty.
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She didn’t mention me at all.
I think she truly hated me.
And yet, I couldn’t help but laugh–Paige is my daughter. Of course, I’ll take care of her.
But every time I thought about ending it all to join Gwen, I would remember that line in her letter.
I finally understood her intention.
To live.
To live in agony was her greatest punishment for me.
And so, I lived. I lived in pain, just as Gwen
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wanted.
I sold the company.
The money I’d earned over the years was. enough for the three of us to live comfortably.
But humans are greedy. We always want more, more, more.
In the end, I was left with nothing.
17
After selling the company, I put the money in the bank and had a lawyer draw up my will.
But whether I wrote a will or not didn’t matter.
Paige is our only daughter.
When I die, everything will naturally go to her.
Epilogue 2
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The remaining money is enough for Paige to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
I bought a house near the place where Gwen died.
Sometimes I stay there.
Kamila and I take turns looking after Paige.
Though I can tell Kamila isn’t too happy when take Paige back.
Later, I got into a car accident while visiting Gwen’s grave.
I didn’t die, but I lost a leg.
The doctors said I was lucky to be alive.
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But I know it was Gwen.
She didn’t want me to die so soon.
She wanted me to keep suffering.
Many times, I’ve wanted to end it all.
But when I think of Gwen’s last, painful days, I know I deserve to suffer too.
That’s the only way I can make it up to her.
On Paige’s twentieth birthday, I turned forty–four.
But my hair had gone gray, and I looked like a man in his sixties or seventies.
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Maybe because of what happened when she was young, Paige never liked me much.
She’s closer to Kamila.
Kamila never married, and she treats Paige like her own daughter.
But now, none of that matters to me anymore.
I can finally go find Gwen.
Looking at the graying hair in the mirror, I suddenly realized–Gwen wouldn’t like this.
A limping old man.
Oh well.
All I wish for now is her forgiveness.
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Epilogue 2
+ 5 Points
Maybe it’s the sleeping pills taking effect, but my eyelids are getting heavier and heavier.
Yet, my heart feels light.
My Gwen, we’ll meet soon. Will you forgive me?
END
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