Chapter 10
The moment the plane touched down, I turned on my phone and was instantly bombarded by breaking news.
The headlines were plastered with my mom’s wild–eyed face, clutching a knife.
Turns out, right after I boarded my flight, she tracked down the hospital where Susan was treated.
Three stabs, six wounds–she killed both Susan and her mother.
They died on the spot, and my mom was arrested.
Reading all this, I didn’t feel much of anything.
She’d always been that crazy.
In college, I worked hard at every job I could find, earning a full scholarship and fighting for the top spot in every class.
Before graduation, several well–known companies offered me positions as a professional engineer.
My name appeared in foreign newspapers, becoming a familiar face in the local community.
But even in my spare time, I kept tutoring and picking up odd jobs–just to settle an old debt.
Two years later, I never expected to run into Kelvin on a bustling street in a foreign city.
The crowd flowed around us like time itself.
He still had that striking face, though he looked much more worn down.
He told me he’d served two years for excessive self–defense and bought a plane ticket to find me as soon as he got out.
“Long time no see,” he said first, his voice rough.
I nodded, like I was greeting an old friend I hadn’t seen in years.
“Long time no see. Let’s grab a coffee.”
Over a cup of coffee, we talked like old friends, catching up on life.
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Chapter 10
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At the end, his voice broke. “When I was in prison, I selfishly wished I could start over, so I could cherish you and make sure we never ended up like this.
“But after I got out and learned about all your achievements, I was suddenly grateful I hadn’t become the obstacle that held you back.
“In that whole stupid game, I guess I was the only joke.”
I listened quietly, waiting for him to finish.
Then I slid a bank card across the table to him–a card I’d prepared long ago.
“Thank you for helping me back then. This covers every cent you ever sent me, plus the money from the gifts sold. I’m paying it all back with interest.”
From the moment I took his first dollar, I’d been ready to repay him.
Sure, I was vain and materialistic, but climbing up on money is still better than rotting in the mud.
To stay detached in love, to own nothing, but use everything–maybe that’s just another way to
succeed.
Kelvin stared at the card, tears streaming down his face.
He knew there was truly no going back for us.
He took it, his voice hoarse. “I’ll use this money to start a foundation for underprivileged
students.”
That was his business now.
I finished my coffee, stood up, and smiled.
“Goodbye.”
“I’m sorry!” he caught up to me, bowing deeply.
“Kelvin,” I said calmly, “let’s stand back to back and count to three, then walk away.”
I’ve always liked closing my eyes and counting down.
Whenever the storms of childhood crashed over me, I’d shut my eyes, hoping that when the countdown ended and I opened them, everything would turn out to be a dream.
Now, I used it to end this chapter.
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As we stood back to back, our body heat mingling just like it did years ago, I heard his quiet sobs behind me.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
We each stepped forward, heading in opposite directions.
Never to cross paths again.
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