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The Place 9

The Place 9

Chadwick Gabriel shook his head, clinging to denial, his eyes glazed over with utter ruin

I smiled sarcastically, Your wife?I echoed. Didn’t we get divorced long ago?” 

A devastating tidal wave of disbelief surged through his pupils, widening them in horror

You knew?His voice cracked. Nono, that divorce was just on paper! I never acknowledged her as my wife!” 

Didn’t acknowledge her?I cut him off with calm irony. Didn’t you move her into our marital home?” 

His face turned ghostly pale

I kept going

Actually, the day I returned, I stopped by the estate.” 

Chadwick’s carefully constructed composure shattered completely

I saw you on the secondfloor balcony, whispering sweet nothings to her like lovers in a drama.” 

Oh, and by the waywhile you were at it, you declined my call. Twice.” 

Johnson Lachelle turned sharply to stare at him, disbelief and horror mixing in his expression

Chadwick staggered backward, a raw, broken sob tore from his throat

He had never regretted anything as much as he did in that moment

It was all out in the open now

Everything I had seen, everything I had enduredhe could no longer deny any of it

His tears came, helpless and unrelenting. He knew thenit was over. There was no salvaging us

Johnson stood silently, tears already streaming down his face

So much pain, so much humiliationall suffered by his sister, and all while he’d been blind

He took a moment to gather himself, then rasped out, Jessdo you still see me as your brother?” 

I looked at him steadily

This will be the last time I call you that,I said softly. You gave my candy to someone else. I don’t need you anymore.” 

His face turned deadly pale. The light of hope in his eyes went out

Steven Wilson came out just then, carrying Shelly

He gave my cheek a playful pinch and turned to the two men outside the gate. It’s getting late. Jess and Shelly need to rest. You should go.” 

We turned away together, walking back toward the house

Behind us, the ragged sounds of their grief tangled in the crisp sea breeze

Jess” 

Chapter

100003 

Their voices were barely audiblesnatched away by the wind

At the door, Shelly looked up at me

Mommy, who were they?” 

I kissed her gently on the forehead

No one important.” 

Steven’s hand tightened around mine, warm and steady

I can finally breathe again,he murmured

Hm?” 

Nothing,he said with a quiet smile

I was too busy playing with Shelly to catch what he said

What did you mean, about going back?” 

But Steven didn’t answer. He just looked at me for a long moment, eyes full of something unreadablepart relief, part joy, and something else, too

Nothing,he said again. Just thinking how lucky I am.” 

Years later, I heard about Chadwick Gabriel again. He had jumped into a river, bringing the final chapter of his story to a tragic close

News of his death sparked heated discussion online

They said he died clutching a wedding ring in his hand. They called him a tragic lover

I scrolled past it casuallyand froze. In his hand was our wedding band

Even his funeral was broadcast live

And that was when I saw Johnson again. He’d tonsured and dedicated his life to God

He was there to lead the memorial pass

In the footage, his eyesonce so vibrantwere now dry and withered, like cooling ash

And yet, for a moment, it felt like his gaze met mine

Jess,he said softly, voice hollow from the weight of redemption

His black vestments fluttered in the wind

I’ve made peace with myself. I don’t ask for your forgiveness anymore. I only wish” 

that you live the rest of your life in peace and happiness, free of sorrow.” 

Then, with solemn reverence, he pressed his palms together and bowed toward the camera

It was the gesture of a man praying to the last light of his life. Or maybe bidding farewell. Chapter

100.00

I turned off my phone. A single tear slid down my cheek

Steven came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist

It’s all over,he whispered

I nodded

Yeah. It’s over.” 

The past had run its course

And I had stepped into a brand new chapter of life

Chapter

The Place

The Place

Score 9.9
Status: Ongoing Type:
The Place

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