Atonement in the Grave

Gerald got a call from work and left the hospital room shortly after. Once he was gone, Mrs. Davis tried to comfort Anna. "Anna, I know marrying Gerald these past few years has been hard on you. But remember, you promised Grandpa that no matter what, you would stick it out five years. so, don't mention divorce again."

Anna pressed her lips together, her expression downcast, and forced a bitter smile. "Mom, there's only three months left until the five years are up. Gerald already dislikes me, and now that I've lost the baby, there's no way he'll fall in love with me in such a short time. "

"But he hasn't talked about divorcing you, has he?" Mrs. Davis patted her had reassuringly.

Anna managed a weak smile.

"Anna, promise me you won't bring up divorce before the five years are over."

Anna was silent for a moment, thinking of Gerald and that other woman she clenched her fists. "Alright, I promise. "

Mrs. Davis finally felt relieved.

In the afternoon, at Mrs. Davis request, Gerald brought some chicken soup from the villa to the hospital.

Mrs. Davis made an excuse to leave, giving Anna and Gerald some time alone.

Anna had promised Mrs. Davis not to mention divorce again, so she had to pretend yesterday never happened.

She forgave him, just like she had done countless times over the past five years.

Anna quietly drank the soup.

Gerald sat on the sofa, his long legs crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression.

It was the first time Anna had tasted something Gerald had made himself. Her heart, which had felt so empty, started to warm up.

She was like that no matter how much Gerald hurt her, as long as he showed her a little kindness, she could forget the pain.

Ahe knew it was foolish, but since she couldn't stop loving Gerald, she had to accept the hurt that came with it.

"Do you know what today is?" Gerald suddenly asked.

He stood up and walked over to her, looking down at her with an imposing presence.

Anna paused, her hand holding the spoon, and looked up at him in confusion. What day was it? Yesterday was October 18th so today must be October 19th.

Her eyes lit up. Today was their wedding anniversary! Her heart leapt with joy. He actually remembered their anniversary!

"Five years ago today, the president of the Taylor family jumped to his death, "Gerald said, his voice cutting through her thoughts.

"The lady commited suicide in her own villa," Gerald said, his deep eyes swirling with emotion, his voice cold and deliberate. "Anna, today is the anniversary of Migi's parents ' death."

A mettalic clang echoed as the spoon slipped from Anna's grasp, hitting the porcelain bowl. soup splashed onto the white hospital sheets.

Anna's heart skipped a beat. Five years ago, the Taylor's family tragedy struck, with both the president and his wife passing away, leaving their only daughter, Migi, who vanished the same day.

Anna pursed her lips, placing the bowl on the nightstand. Her once warm heart gradually turned cold. so, this is what he remembered...

Gathering herself, Anna forced a smile at Gerald. it's not dark yet. You can still make it to pay your respects. it's raining outside, so don't forget an umbrella..."

"Anna! You know that's not what I'm talking about

!" Gerald's voice suddenly rose, filled with disdain.

Startled, Anna's eyes reddened, her teeth chattering slightly. "Then what are you saying? Gerald do you still believe i caused the death of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and Migi's disappearance?"

Migi had returned, hasn't she? who would know better than her what happened back then? Hadn't Migi explained everything to him?

Gerald leaned in, gripping Anna's chin, his tone icy.

"Anna, if you hadn't cut off uncle Taylor's call for help, he wouldn't have jumped. Have you ever visited their graves to repent?"

Indeed, Migi Taylor and the Tayler family were the unbreakable knot between them.

Anna closed her eyes in resignation, her heart shattered. For five years, she had explained countless times about the Tayler family and Migi, but Gerald never listened.

"Gerald, I truly never received that call. I had no grudge against the Tayler family. I has no reason to lie, no reason to harm them..."

"If it weren't for you, Migi would have been Mrs. Gerald by now, and we would have a family full of kids. And you say you have no reason?"

A family full of kids...

What he always wanted was him and Migi.

Was it because Taylor was obsessed with his own family that he was so indifferent to the child they lost? From the moment the tragedy happened, he hadn't offered her a single word of comfort. Their child was alive too, yet he showed no sorrow for the baby.

In his eyes and heart, there was only the Taylor Family and Migi.

Anna clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, but she couldn't feel the pain. The tears she had been holding back finally broke free, flowing uncontrollably.

When Gerald saw her tears, he smirked disdainfully. "Anna, you should go confess to uncle Taylor and Auntie Rain!"

With that, his strong hand gripped her shoulder, effortlessly pulling her up from bed.

'Gerald, what are you doing!... Anna barely had time to resist before Gerald dragged her out of the hospital room.

Over an hour later, they were at a cemetery on the outskirts of town.

In front of the gravestones was a black and white photo of a couple. The rain continued to fall, and the cemetery was cold and damp. Anna, dressed only in a thin hospital gown, shivered uncontrollably. The pain in her abnomen from the recent miscarriage intensified, and cold sweat broke out on her back.

Gerald felt her trembling under his grip but assumed it was from guilt and fear. He sneered and flung her forward.

Anna, weak and defenseless, fell to the ground in front of the gravestone.

"Kneel and atone!"

Anna lifted her head, tears streaming down her face, only to be washed away by the rain. Her gaze at Gerald was filled with defiance and pain. "Gerald, I beg you to believe me, just this once. I didn't hang up that call..."