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Waking in the hospital,Caleb was at my bedside,clutching my hand,dark circles under his eyes.
A pang of ache shot through my heart.
He stirred,lashes fluttering,checking on me.“Lily,how are you feeling?”
My leg, encased in a cast, was completely immobile. I forced a smile, trying to ease his worry. “I'm okay, Caleb.”
He frowned,puppy-like eyes sad,his mole accentuating his vulnerability.
I chuckled,patting his head.“It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“What about Lucas?”
His face darkened.“You’re still thinking of that monster?After everything he's done?”
Seeing my silence,he scoffed,“He’s out with his girlfriend for her prenatal check-up.”
“Lily,forget him.Come with me.I promise I'll keep you safe”
He hooked my pinky,swaying it.
I nodded at his pleading look.“Okay.”
He grinned,peeling an apple with care.
Guilt gnawed at me.I’m sorry,Caleb.I lied.
That starless night,I had made a firm decision to break free from the cage that had confined me my entire life.
I told Caleb I wanted to see the sea again.
He wheeled me to the beach.
Waves churned under a gray sky,a storm brewing.
My white skirt fluttered.
I gazed at the sea,saying softly,“Caleb,the butterfly was never meant to cross the ocean.That story was always tragedy.”
At another family dinner,Lucas had Mrs.Wilson set a separate table for me in a corner. Being treated like an outsider left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Without me,their table was lively.
Mia,rubbing her belly,glanced at me,taunting.
“The baby’s kicking,”she cooed.“Must want shrimp bisque.”
Lucas,unusually quiet,served her a bowl.
“Since Mia’s pregnant,we should move up the wedding,”Mr.Hayes declared.
Lucas looked glum.“Dad,let’s wait.”
Mom shot me a look,saying,“You can wait,but her belly can’t.”
I picked up a piece of tofu,its sheen soft under the light.
I swallowed it,put down my fork,and smiled silently.
Lucas’s sins,my pain—they were all being swept under the rug, forgotten.
My heart no longer ached.
Mia clutched her stomach,groaning in pain.
Lucas stood,dialing 911,but spat blood.
“Dad…”he gasped.
Mr.Hayes and Mom collapsed,vomiting blood.
Mrs.Wilson screamed,calling for help with Mr.Thompson.
I stood over them,pouring the scalding bisque on their faces,burning their skin.
“Mr.Hayes,Mom,what a pity—this is our last family dinner.”
Lucas’s eyes fluttered open,weak,reaching for me,unable to speak.
I watched them writhe like maggots,laughing until tears fell.
Their blood pooled,a vivid painting.
I thought of Caleb’s painting for me,glimpsed once—a girl in a white dress,sleeping on golden sand,bathed in warm sunlight.
I spat out blood,collapsing.
Closing my eyes,I felt a deep regret for never getting to see that warm sun again.
