2
L
I remembered David rescuing me, not caring
about my hand.
Begging his mom to let him marry me.
Seven years of being pampered.
Him coming home for dinner, no matter how
late he worked.
Putting the factory in my name. Not wanting
kids because he didn’t want me to be in pain.
Everyone said he loved me. Said he was the
best man in the world.
But he was in love with his “sister.”
I was living a lie, the family joke.
<
Ashley was still taunting me.
“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me?”
I flicked the water off my hands, ignoring her.
I’d made a decision. I was leaving David.
Infuriated by my silence, Ashley yelled, “Just
wait! Sarah’s coming back, and my brother
will kick you out!”
David was waiting outside to drive me home.
As we passed the mall, he said casually,
“Sarah and Chloe get back tomorrow. Let’s
get her a welcome-home gift.”
His eyes shone with happiness. It was
sickening.
Fighting back tears, I looked out the window
and nodded.
He parked and took me straight to the jewelry
store.
The saleswoman showed me a ring.
“This new couples’ design is perfect for you
two!”
She reached for my hand, then saw my
missing fingers.
Flustered, she stammered, “We have lovely
necklaces too…”
Г
I wasn’t interested. I shook my head and
followed David.
He bumped into Mr. Fuller, the bank manager.
“David! Heard you stopped sending money to
that Chicago account.”
“Is your sweetheart coming back? When can I
meet her?”
Mr. Fuller’s jovial tone turned awkward when
he noticed me.
He made an excuse and scurried away.
“My wife’s calling. See you later!”
David looked guilty. “Amy, don’t get the
<
wrong idea.”
“My stepdad sends money to…Sarah. Just
making sure she’s okay.”
“I know. I don’t mind.”
Relieved I wasn’t angry, he relaxed.
His assistant rushed over. Some clients had
arrived.
David hurried me home and rushed back to
the factory.
I told the housekeeper what to cook for
dinner.
Before going upstairs, I grabbed David’s
newspaper.
<
In his study, I noticed his locked drawer was
slightly open.
Inside, neatly clipped newspaper articles. All
of Sarah’s published academic work.
And money transfer receipts. David’s
treasured collection.
My hands trembled as I flipped through them.
Starting at $520, increasing to $5,200, then
tens of thousands.
David claimed he’d spent all his money rescuing me.
He’d sent it to Sarah.
<
While he worried about his sweetheart’s
tuition, I ate ramen to save money.
Took on piecework despite my hand, to ease
his burden.
Pawned my father’s jade pendant to help him
start his business.
I read every receipt, my heart turning to ice.
