Chapter 10
When I woke up again, I was lying in a bed that felt all too
familiar.
My head still throbbed dully.
Outside the window, a gentle, persistent rain was falling–just
like the night I’d leapt from the 19th floor.
I’d arranged for everything to be faked.
Here, there would be no more endless arguments, no more
screaming matches that tore me to pieces.
No more lonely nights, crying into my pillow until it was soaked
through.
And never again would I suffocate in that marriage, drowning a
little more with every breath.
I let out a long sigh, my eyes growing wet.
This–this was what freedom felt like.
It was wonderful.
In a world without Bryce, every day felt like sunshine.
Chapter 10
Two years later, I’d almost managed to forget that chapter of my
life.
Until today. I’d just finished drinks and gossip with my
girlfriends, stumbling home and collapsing into bed.
I remembered how we’d been talking about my cheap ex-
husband, Bryce.
Over these two years, Bryce kept up appearances at work,
running the company as usual.
But his temper had grown even more unpredictable—his
employees walked on eggshells, terrified of making a single
mistake.
Sometimes, a business partner would mention my “death” in
front of him, or even try to set him up with another woman.
He would fix them with a chilling, icy stare and pronounce, word
by word, that his wife wasn’t dead.
That was enough to send everyone scrambling, exchanging
nervous glances as they bolted from the room.
“Angela, maybe you should check on him. At least let him know
you’re alive.”
Fine. I’d do it. This time, I’d put an end to it for good. Make him
Chapter 10
let go–really let go.
After two years, I’d nearly forgotten everything about this place.
But every corner of this house reminded me, unmistakably, that
I’d lived here for eight long years.
I was lost in thought when suddenly the front door opened.
Bryce was home.
After two years, his features were even sharper, his expression
darker, blending perfectly with the bleak, somber winter outside.
He changed his shoes, stepped inside, and didn’t bother turning
on the lights. He didn’t notice I was in the bedroom.
In the dim living room, he dropped onto the couch and, with
practiced ease, lit a cigarette.
He pressed a hand to his forehead. “Two years, Angela. You’re
really something.
“Not a single word from you.
How long are you going to keep up this act?”
He snapped his phone shut in frustration, let out a heavy sigh,
Xand turned to stare out the window.
Chapter 10
His eyes were lifeless, empty.
Suddenly, the shrill ring of his phone shattered the silence.
He glanced at the caller ID, hesitated, then finally answered.
“Mr. Oswin, it’s been two years since Mrs. Oswin disappeared.
We’re reminding you again—you can come to the station and file
for a death certificate.”
Bryce’s face went rigid, a storm raging in his shadowed eyes.
The air around him seemed to freeze.
“My wife isn’t dead.
“None of you have found her body, and you expect me to believe she’s gone?”
He gave a bitter laugh. “I’ll never fall for a trick like that.”
His grip on the phone tightened, knuckles white.
“If anyone calls me again about a death certificate-
“I’ll make sure they get one first!”
He slammed the phone down, hurling it to the floor.
His fist crashed onto the coffee table, the glass splintering
beneath his hand.
Chapter 10
He bowed his head, voice hoarse and raw.
“Angela, how long are you going to punish me before you come
back?”
I watched him from the shadows, finding it almost laughable.
Why would I ever come back?
To watch him and Karley shamelessly tangle together? Or to stand by helplessly as the darkness inside me grew deeper and deeper, until it swallowed me whole?
After a long moment, I stepped out of the bedroom.
My voice was cold as ice.
“Why keep lying to yourself, Bryce?”
