5. Bottomless River

Taking a deep breath, Edmund clutched his head. His eyes closed again, trying to suppress the emotions.

“Let's talk about this after Alice returns. Now let me get her."

Seeing Edmund walk away, Emma followed. She tried to grab his arm, but failed. "Where are you going? Running away from responsibility?”

“I said I wanted to get her back.”

Thinking it was a lie, Emma quickened her steps to jerk his arm. "Do you know where Alice is?"

Edmund looked at Emma and Henry with a throbbing jaw. "The bridge where I proposed to her."

Emma's expression instantly changed to horror. “The place you two first met? The place where she wanted to end her life?"

As Emma got panic, Henry tried to calm her down. Meanwhile, Edmund walked to the car. He wasn't sure whether Alice was still there or not, but he realized that he was on the verge of a never-ending regret.

***

“I don't know what you have experienced, but please don't be careless. Suicide is not the solution to all your problems. Now take my hand and get down from there. We can find a way out. I promise to help you."

Alice blinked slowly at the memory of the voice. Her hand slowly moved, stroking the concrete barrier where she had once been standing on.

“Well, I'm sorry you had to experience such a big misfortune. But please don't give up. The world is not that evil. The people who care about you will definitely be very sad if you die.”

Still with a flat expression, Alice stared further. The glistening river under the moonlight looked the same as that night, so as her teary eyes that could not stop reviewed the past.

"I do! I care about you. If not, would it be possible for me here to lend a hand to you?”

“Come on, get down from there. I just started a lodging business. You can stay there, it's free. Consider it a gift because you are my first customer. I'm also looking for employees for my travel business. You can apply for a job there if you want.”

“Together, let's reinvent your life. I believe you can do it. I will always be by your side, protecting and helping you. You'll be fine, so don't be afraid.”

Alice let out a faint breath. Her hand now moved to rub her stomach.

“You know what, Baby? I used to believe those words. But it turns out, the world is cruel. If only I knew things would turn out like this, I should have just jumped at that time. That way, you don't have to be here and feel this suffering."

Closing her eyes, Alice felt how the wind gently caressed her face and hair. Instead of feeling calm, a single tear fell.

"Please forgive your mommy. Without your daddy, we wouldn't be able to survive. I don't want you to suffer the same fate, My Dear. Before things get more painful and torturous, let's end this life."

After whispering, Alice climbed onto the barrier. She stood there and stretched out her arms.

Several drivers were distracted by the action. Some chose to stop, either to watch from behind the windows or to approach, hoping to provide assistance.

Unfortunately, Alice ignored the voices around her. In her head there was only Edmund's voice.

Even when she turned around, the panicked cries of the people did not faze her. For her, the night breeze only brought memories and despair.

Seeing Alice spinning on the barrier, Edmund's face paled. He got out of the car and ran towards his wife.

“Alice!”

Alice didn't listen. Taking a deep breath, she tilted her head to face the sky. Her hands slowly went down to hug her stomach.

Edmund knew he didn't have much time. He picked up the pace, calling out as best he could, “Alice, please listen to me. Alice!”

However, just as he arrived at the barrier, Alice had dropped her self backwards. Everyone spontaneously screamed. They hoped that Edmund would succeed in grabbing her hand. Unfortunately, he failed.

With wide eyes, Edmund stared at his empty hand. His mouth was agape, didn't know what to say. Only a faint choke escaped along with his short breaths.

“Alice ...?”

His chest had never been that tight and his eyes had never been that sore. While his tears thickened, his head moved to look down. Seeing a river that seemed bottomless, his entire body began to shake.

“Alice ...? Alice?!”

Edmund burst into tears. He shook his head, refusing to believe it. When his sanity no longer remained, he gripped the railing. His feet prepared to jump. Several people there swiftly detained him.

"Please don't be reckless, Sir!"

“That's my wife! I have to save her. Alice? Alice!” Edmund tried to get away.

“Come to your senses, Sir. That won't help. The current is too strong. You'll just drift along!”

“But she is my wife! My wife! I promised to always protect her. Let me go! Let me save my wife!”

Edmund rebelled more strongly. Several more people were called to restrain him.

“Calm down, Sir. Let the SAR team save your wife. Someone … call them now!”

However, Edmund kept to struggle. Emma and Henry, who had just arrived, could not help but gasp when they saw him.

"Where's Alice?" Emma asked with shaky eyes. Getting no answer, she covered her mouth with both hands. "Did she ...."

Emma couldn't finish her sentence. Her mouth felt dry. It was useless for her to swallow. Her throat remained choked. When she cried, she could only express her emotions in Henry's arms.

Henry had no choice but to calm his lover. Occasionally, he looked at Edmund. He understood. No matter how painful Emma's heart was, it wouldn't be worse than the regret that Edmund bore. That man must think that he had killed his wife.

A moment later, Edmund finally dropped his knees on the bridge. His hands clenched into fists, pounding the earth as if it were himself. He no longer knew how to breathe normally. His cries and chokes made everyone who heard feel the same tightness in their chests.