When Betrayal Became the Final Goodbye

"Sorry, we did our best. You should go in and see the patient one last time."My mother-in-law lay on the operating table, unable to speak anymore. Her eyes, however, kept glancing toward the door, searching.Unfortunately, the only one who entered was me. Her daughter, the one she longed to see, was not there.Seeing the elder who treated me like her own son lying there, my heart ached as if it was being torn apart."Mom, Claudia is on her way. Please hold on a little longer, just one more moment."Hearing my words, my mother-in-law used every ounce of her strength to smile at me.Her tears fell onto the back of my hand.Unable to bear seeing her final wish go unfulfilled, I repeatedly called Claudia Jackson.Alas, no matter how many times I dialed, the other side only returned the mechanical echo of rejection.The following day was Claudia's birthday. My mother-in-law had gone out early to buy groceries to prepare a celebration.Who would have foreseen she would be hit by a

"Claudia! Your husband just called me. He said he'd kill me if I didn't tell him where you were. That man is deranged, I tell you!"No matter what he says, don't believe him. Who knows what Henry might do?"Susan, fearing that Claudia would find out she had betrayed her, quickly lied.Claudia, who had just been ready to leave with me, took a step forward and slapped me across the face. "Get lost! The farther, the better! I won't believe a single word you say!"The pain on my face and head could not compare to the helplessness in my heart. Looking at Claudia leaning in Nolan's arms, I closed my eyes briefly."Claudia, let me ask you one last time. Are you really not coming with me?"Claudia responded with a cold laugh, turning her head to talk to Nolan as if I were invisible.Just before the hotel door closed, I heard her comforting Nolan."Tomorrow morning, let's give the dog a proper send-off. Don't be too sad, okay?"I wandered aimlessly back to the hospital.My mother-in-l

"Henry, can't we discuss this privately? Why does it have to come to a divorce?""Exactly, Henry. Claudia's mother just passed away. Isn't this an inappropriate time to bring it up?""Henry, take the divorce agreement back. Let's talk about this later!"On the side, Nolan picked up the divorce agreement that had fallen to the ground. "Henry, Claudia is already heartbroken enough. Do you really have to hurt her even more right now?"If I've done anything to upset you, blame me for it all."Nolan then turned to Claudia with a comforting look, as if I were the one being unreasonable.Thinking about what he had said before my mother-in-law passed away, I could not hold back anymore.Since he was so eager to take the blame, I was not going to be polite.I walked up and kicked Nolan harshly in the knee with every bit of strength I had.He fell to the ground, his forehead hitting the floor and swelling instantly."What are you pretending for? Where were you when her mother was dying?

Nolan was about to let out a string of curses when the police stopped him.As he passed by me, he glared at me venomously.At the police station, Nolan's attitude shifted from pleading to enraged insults."I really regret it. Why did I even go out that night for you?" cried Claudia to Nolan.Then, she turned her head toward me, but I pretended not to notice.After finishing the questioning and just as I was about to leave the police station, Claudia's uncle came rushing in from the entrance."Henry! A couple just came to the house saying the property your mother-in-law left behind has been sold! How could this happen? That house was left for Claudia!" spoke my uncle urgently.Seeing my confused expression, he turned and ran toward Claudia."Claudia! Did you sell the house? How could you do such a thing? That was the only thing your mother left for you!"Claudia, who had been sitting there lifelessly, finally snapped out of her daze when she heard that the house her mother had