When Dust Meets the Lighthouse

As I returned home, intermittent laughter echoed from the second-floor bedroom.I took off my coat, draped it over my arm, and hesitated for a moment.Finally, I walked toward the bedroom with heavy steps.Pushing open the ornate oak doors, I immediately saw Jeffery.His crisp white shirt was half-open, and his tie was long gone.The girl in his arms was feeding him strawberries.Though he playfully pushed her hand away, his expression revealed he was quite pleased.Hearing footsteps, the young girl turned with a smile:"Oh, Jeff, is your housekeeping bringing the coffee—"Her unfinished words died in her throat, and the strawberry in her hand fell to the plush carpet.When she saw me, her face turned pale, and she stammered:"Ms... Ms. Sloan..."My gaze fell on her neck and shoulders, where a string of hickeys was glaringly obvious.My throat felt constricted, my voice hoarse:"Jeffery, what are you doing?"He lifted his eyelids to glance at me, clicking his tongue impa

During high school, Dylan and I were desk mates for three full years.I still remember when Dylan chose to study liberal arts in university.Our homeroom teacher was puzzled, given his outstanding grades in science subjects.Dylan glanced at me and said he wanted to make films.I remained silent.Back then, I was too insecure to even voice the most common dreams of youth.Later, Dylan submitted a story I had written to a writing contest on my behalf.He spread the winning certificate in front of me, pointing at the name "Naomi Sloan" on it, saying:"Don't be afraid, Naomi. Look, you really are talented."Back then, when sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, he always liked to nap facing me.One day, as I was writing an outline, he mumbled with half-closed eyes:"In the future, you'll write scripts, and I'll turn them into movies. We'll never be apart."We were young then, truly looking forward to the future.I even believed for a while that it would be our futur

"Don't be afraid, Naomi. I'm here."The familiar scent gradually calmed my rapid breathing."Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Carter," Jeffery said with a careless smile, slowly getting to his feet.He brushed off his slacks and pointed at me:"Dylan, don't tell me you're still hung up on her?"Do you know how disgusting this woman really is?"Her mother ruined my family and ran off with our money."And Naomi, on our wedding night, she even had the audacity to try to seduce me to bear my child."Dylan ignored his words, lowering his eyes.His fingertips gently rubbed the red marks on my wrist as he asked hoarsely:"Are you hurt? Naomi, are you in pain?"I trembled all over, tears flowing uncontrollably.Seeing this, his Adam's apple bobbed as he brushed the stray hair from my forehead.Looking into my eyes, he said softly:"Don't be afraid. Wait here for me for a moment, okay?"I looked at him, tears rolling down, and said "okay" in a shaky voice.Jeffery's face darkened, bu

"Jeffery, do you want to be charged with marital rape?"I resisted with all my might.He froze, stopping his actions, and yelled at me in disbelief, "What's that supposed to mean? You spend one night with him, and suddenly I can't touch you?"Jeffery's breathing was erratic, having long lost his usual composure. "He just beckons, and you run to him?""Naomi, you really are—""Disgusting," I said calmly. "Is that what you want to say?"He paused, his face slowly darkening. "Isn't it true?""You're just like your mother; both of you make me sick."I slowly shook my head, finally finding the courage to refute his accusations and misplaced anger. "It's different now. I don't owe you anything, Jeffery.""Back then, I didn't know the truth, and I lacked the courage to stand against you."All these years, Uncle Sam had been truly kind to me.But Jeffery kept repeating that I owed him.Those words planted a seed of guilt in my heart, which then took root and grew.And then, on my

Then I quickly ran to the car and got in. Dylan leaned over to fasten my seatbelt."You got up so early today. Have you had breakfast yet?"I leaned in and kissed his cheek.Dylan was startled, nearly bumping his head on the car roof, the tips of his ears turning bright red."Naomi, you..."I smiled. "I've wanted to do that for seven years."He turned his head away, not looking at me but unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips."I've never asked you: Why did you suddenly come back to the country?""Because I wanted to see you."The rain blurred the view, making his eyes seem especially moist."All these years, you haven't been well. You haven't been happy.""I thought you must need me."His tone was firm. "As long as you need me, I'll do anything."In that moment, it felt like we were back in high school.The bright, vibrant boy was the moon that many secretly held in their hearts.But he only shone for me.He was still that boy who, in the afternoon, would lie