Too Late To Pick Him Up のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 8

The charity gala took place at the most lavish hotel downtown.I didn't wear the jewel-encrusted gown that Mark had picked out for me.Instead, I chose a jet-black dress.It was the kind of color that was only worn to funerals.As soon as I walked into the ballroom, the surrounding conversations died down.Mark was across the room, chatting smoothly with Chloe on his arm.Chloe wore a fiery red, backless dress that burned like an open flame.The moment Mark saw me, his smile froze.He strode over and grabbed my wrist, squeezing hard enough to break bone."Sarah, what the hell are you wearing?"He kept his voice low, but every word dripped with threat."I told you this was an important night. I told you to look pretty."I looked up into his eyes, my expression blank."Today marks two months of mourning for Leo. What else should I wear?"Mark frowned, completely missing my point."Mourning? What are you babbling about? Go change right now."Chloe drifted over, linking her

Rain pounded against the window, lightning flashing as thunder rolled across the sky.It rained like this two months ago. The exact same day Leo died.I sat on the living room couch. In front of me lay three signed copies of the divorce papers.My phone buzzed on the coffee table.It was a text from Mark.[Sarah, I've been thinking. I know I haven't been there for you and Leo over the years.][I'm heading to his school right now to pick him up like I promised.][Get dinner ready. Let's have a nice family night, just the three of us.]I stared at the screen, a sick laugh bubbling in my throat.Where was he going to pick him up?Preschool had been out for summer, and Leo’s enrollment had been canceled a long time ago.Mark didn't even notice that his son hadn't spoken a single word to him in two full months.I gripped the phone, listening to the rain outside. My heart was completely dead.Half an hour later, Mark called.His cheerful mood was gone, replaced by growing annoy

On the other side of town, inside a quiet, low-key bistro, I held a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup, sipping the broth in slow, small mouthfuls.Julian sat across from me, peeling a shrimp with methodical grace before dropping the tender meat into my bowl."Eat up," he said without looking up. "You've lost so much weight that you look like a skeleton.""Thank you." I picked up the shrimp with my fork. "How are things moving along?""The IRS got the files. They'll freeze every single account under Mark's name first thing tomorrow morning. “As for the money laundering evidence, the financial crimes unit is already opening a case."Julian wiped his hands with a napkin and poured himself a cup of tea."Mark just saw what you left behind. I forwarded the security camera feed from your house to your phone. Want to watch?"I shook my head and kept eating."No. It would only pollute my eyes."Julian let out a quiet chuckle. "Fair enough. It is disgusting. But care to guess wh

When the police led Mark away, he didn't scream or make a scene like people do in movies.He just stooped his shoulders, looking ten years older in an instant, as he was escorted into the back of the cruiser.The wail of the sirens faded into the distance, leaving the cemetery quiet once again.I knelt in front of the headstone, gently tracing Leo's photo with my thumb. The plastic frame felt smooth and cold beneath my fingers."Leo, the bad man is gone," I whispered. "Mommy is taking you somewhere new, okay? A place where it doesn't rain all the time, and where no one leaves you waiting."Julian didn't rush me. He closed his umbrella, stepped back a few paces, and lit a cigarette.The soft plume of gray smoke drifted through the damp air, offering a strange sense of comfort.After a long while, I forced myself to stand. My legs had gone numb."Let's go."Julian pinched out his cigarette and walked over, supporting my elbow naturally. "I'll take you back to rest. The lawyers