Chapter 2
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I pulled up the home security footage and fast-forwarded through the past month.
Early in the month, John walked in with his arm around Nancy. Two hours later, he left with a pile of clothes.
Mid-month, he carried her in bridal style into the house. They didn’t leave until the next morning.
Just two nights ago, they slipped in under the cover of darkness and left yesterday at dawn.
All those times, I’d been in another city, desperately searching for him.
My tears kept falling as I watched-not for John, but for myself.
I gave everything for someone this disgusting.
He wasn’t worth it!
While I was losing sleep, worrying if he was alive or dead, he was in my house, with her. Maybe even in
I gripped the edge of the table, trying not to sob until I couldn’t breathe.
My phone, tossed in the living room, started ringing.
I didn’t want to answer, but whoever it was kept calling, over and over.
I took a deep breath and walked over.
The caller ID made me pause. I picked it up fast. “What’s wrong, Harvey?”
“John’s not dead.”
Right after, he sent me a video.
my bed.
I opened it. In the clip, John and Nancy were linking arms, sipping wine like newlyweds, their eyes locked like no one else existed.
My breath caught. My hand shook as I whispered, voice trembling, “I know he’s not dead.”
He was silent for a beat, then chuckled.
“And you’re still throwing him a funeral?”
“Everyone told me he was dead. I believed them. So yeah-I’m giving him a funeral.”
Harvey Sullivan paused. “Widowed, huh?”
I replied with a soft “Yeah.”
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12:32
Chapter 2
Harvey was John’s uncle by title, no blood relation. We barely crossed paths.
He was the first to tell me John wasn’t really dead, and I owed him for that.
“Harvey, if you’re free, you can come pay respects in seven days.”
“I will.”
Right after, he sent me a video.
Someone besides John held up a phone to show him something. He suddenly smashed his wine glass.
Nancy, beside him, flinched. She placed a hand on his chest, saying something to calm him down.
The bar was noisy-I couldn’t hear.
But I saw his face soften, even bury into her shoulder.
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He must’ve seen the broadcast message I sent and lost it. I just didn’t expect a few words from Nancy could calm him. down so easily.
Back then, whenever he got mad at me, he’d make me reflect all night and apologize, and only then might he forgive
I shut my stinging eyes and saved both videos.
Just as I was about to put down my phone, Nancy called.
I answered. Music blared in my ear.
She yelled, “Wennie, are you holding a funeral for John? Are you out of your mind?
“I’m telling you, cancel it! Or you’ll be dead when John gets back!”
I hung up mid-sentence, grabbed a blanket, curled up on the couch, and slept.
It was the best sleep I’ve had in three months.
The next morning, I brought my ID and canceled John’s identity record.
After that, I went to Nancy’s place.
The door stayed shut. I rang again and again until she finally opened.
She stood in a thin silk robe, leaning on the doorframe, traces of intimacy running from her neck downward.
“Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”
I glanced from her neck to her face and met her mocking gaze.
“I want you at John’s funeral. You were his close friend, after all.”
She rolled her eyes, voice sharp. “Wennie, you’re his wife! He’s not dead-there’s no body. You’re not even looking
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12:32
Chapter 2
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for him, and you’re holding a funeral?
“What if he’s still alive? Are you cursing him to die? What kind of wife does that?”
I pulled out the death certificate I’d just gotten and laughed softly. “Three months buried in snow. I couldn’t find him. He’s officially declared dead.
“Weren’t you the ones who told me to move on?”
When the bad news came, I fainted on the spot.
Woke up the next morning with all his so-called buddies gathered around my bed.
“Wennie, the place where John went missing is rough. Might be best to let go.”
“Yeah, it’s way too dangerous. Better not go.”
I forced myself up, bought a ticket, hired a rescue team, and went straight into the mountains.
Fifteen days. No sleep. Searching nonstop.
Back then, I didn’t notice-none of those buddies had even a trace of worry in their eyes. Only amusement.
Right then, a loud bang came from inside Nancy’s room.
Her face changed. She glared. “Wennie, don’t pull any stunts! John won’t let you off when he’s back!”
I ignored her, like last night.
She shot me a death glare and slammed the door in my face.
