Semua Bab Spicing Life Up With Some Agony: Bab 1 - Bab 9

In the middle of the night, after Conrad drifted off with his arms around me, I couldn't help but slip out to the study.The way he used to whisper Jenny's name in bed, along with the photo albums and love letters I found on his computer, shattered whatever hope I still had.Still, our seven years together meant something. We'd shared too many sweet moments for me to just walk away.I stepped up to the small safe on the desk. It felt like Pandora's box, full of mystery and danger.Back when Conrad and I were tangled up together in the study, I'd asked him more than once what he kept inside that meant so much to him.But he always avoided answering, never giving me the code. Instead, he'd just tease me to guess.I tried my birthday, his birthday, even our anniversary, but nothing worked. My hands shook as I entered Jenny's birthday, praying for the first time that I'd gotten it wrong.The safe clicked open.My heart sank into the abyss. Inside, there was a pair of matching rings

I stared at the sky, feeling a calm I hadn't known in years.The driver studied me for a long moment, as if I looked familiar.I smiled faintly. "People say I look a lot like Jean Swisher, the best actress. You must've confused me with her."Only then did he smile apologetically and drive away.I pulled my mask tighter and hurried toward the spot I'd picked out well in advance.It was the only safe place I could think of—a frost-covered forest on Mount Everwhite, where I'd be working as a forest ranger for the winter.Starting now, every last trace of Jean Swisher would be gone. No one would ever find me through that old name again.…The news hit Conrad like a lightning strike.His voice burst out, rough and uncontrolled. "What did you just say? Say it again!"As soon as the words sank in, Conrad bolted for the Lennon residence like a man possessed.Jenny caught the back of his shirt, her voice tight with worry. "Slow down. Jean might be just fine."Conrad spun around, his

Joel muttered, "When I handed Jean over to you, I actually thought she'd be safe, and that you wouldn't fail her. But you're just a piece of shit!"Feeling like a complete joke, Conrad sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth, swiping at his mouth. "If I'm a piece of shit, what does that make you? A heartless bastard? We're the same damn kind."Joel sighed quietly. "Jean comes across as gentle and easygoing, like she doesn't have a temper. She won't lash out even if you say something harsh or do something that hurts her."She'll just lower her voice and try to talk things through calmly. But the truth is, she's actually sensitive. She notices everything—every kindness, every cruelty—and doesn't forget a thing."There's no changing her mind once she's decided to leave you, like she has now. So don't bother chasing after her. If she's walking away, let her go."Conrad smiled until a tear rolled down his cheek. "Let her go... Just let her go..."Before he realized it, he'd wandere

If Conrad refused to believe I was already dead, then fine. I was done begging for his trust.All I wanted now was to live my life well. There were countless ways to live, and plenty of people got by just fine on their own. I just hadn't figured out how yet.Once the snow stopped, Joel left.The world fell silent again.When winter ended, I moved on as well, searching for my next place to stay.Conrad never sent anyone after me. I'd see updates on my phone every so often. His business was doing better than ever.As for Joel, he had a rough time after going back, but slowly, he got himself back on his feet.Jenny? Well, Conrad and Joel worked together to take her down, but with the Swishers behind her, there was no chance they'd let her fall too far. Still, she was pretty much blacklisted now.In the end, I decided not to take on Gideon's film. He ended up working with another young, innocent actress instead and started production on his next project.Joel thought I should get