บททั้งหมดของ To a Future Without Him: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 7

The portrait curled up in the brazier. My face in the photo blackened first, until nothing was left but a thin layer of ash.My husband, Brandon Robinson, poked apart the ashes.His first love, Aylin Blessen, sobbed against his shoulder, trembling with every breath."This is all my fault! Leanna must think I can't stand her being alive."He placed his hand on her back and stroked it slowly."She knows what you're afraid of, and she still chose this moment to run away. You're not the one who should be feeling guilty."I stood on the other side of the brazier and watched them.Last month, I burned myself in the kitchen while boiling water. Brandon had comforted me the same way. He held my wrist and rinsed the burn. Then, he replaced the faulty kettle the next day.My body had gone stiff from the cold across the hallway, yet he only cared about wiping Aylin's tears.A staff member, Patrick Mort, walked in carrying my clothes and said hesitantly, "Mrs. Robinson's bag, coat, and

On the fourth day, Aylin suggested rehearsing my return on the seventh day.She wore my light gray trench coat and walked slowly in from outside the funeral hall. The sleeves were too long on her, and Brandon rolled the cuffs for her without thinking.He used to do the same for me.Every time I wore that trench coat, he would complain that the cuffs got in my way. He would roll them for me at the entryway and then hand me my keys.Now my keys lay in my bag, and my name had been removed from the lock system.She opened her arms and waited for him to complete the rehearsal.But he suddenly took half a step back and slipped the trench coat off her shoulders."Don't wear this. Leanna will definitely show up before the seventh day. She owes you an explanation."She held on to the trench coat, and her nails dug into the fabric."If she's ruthless enough to hide till the very end, I can do the last part for her. After all, I'm the one who's been sitting here with you this whole time.

When Aylin was brought into the interrogation room, she insisted her treatment method was real.Brandon sat on the bench outside, clutching the printed consultation records in his hands.The records were clear. The psychologist had only recommended regular sessions and gradual exposure to safe, death-related stimuli.Any role-play required the patient's informed consent, and restricting a third party's communication or freedom was strictly prohibited.Aylin had pieced together a handful of online articles, forged an electronic signature, and changed "watch a simulated farewell video" to "recreate a complete rehearsal funeral process."The first time she brought the treatment plan home, I pointed out that the electronic signature looked blurry and suggested Brandon go with her to the hospital for a follow-up.He slammed the document onto the table and scolded me for treating traumatized people like liars.Now the papers in his hands trembled in his hands so badly he could barely

When Irene was sorting through my belongings, she found a divorce agreement that was never delivered.I had printed it before I went to the rehearsal funeral.The day Brandon revoked my access to our house and posted the announcement, I had decided to leave once the seventh day was over.I had rented a place and set up a meeting with a lawyer to handle our shared assets.The only reason I was willing to go along with the rehearsal funeral was that I wanted to see for myself just how far he would push me for Aylin's sake.The answer went further than I had imagined.Irene mailed a copy of the agreement to Brandon. The original stayed with the lawyer. The signature date predated my death.Brandon stared at it all night.The next day, he took the agreement to Irene. The edges of the pages were crumpled in his grip."She was already planning to leave me."Irene opened the door a narrow crack and peered out."You thought she'd come back after the seventh day and apologize. Even i