You Are My Star

Chapter 4 Consider It as My Last Wish, Please

Nancy chuckled in self-mockery.

In the moonlight, her thin form cast a long shadow over the floor.

She had lost lots of weight because of the cancer. Even her shadow seemed lighter than before, as if she'd vanish upon thin air.

Tim asked: "Where were you today?"

She looked up at him: "Why? Are you worried about me?"

"No. I asked Jack to work out a divorce settlement with you. He said you weren't at home."

"Oh. I was at the hospital."

"Why?"

"To repair the hymen, like you said."

Tim said: "Nancy Roberts, I feel like I've never known you... If you're after my family property, you could have it all after we got married, after you became Mrs Jones. Why did you have to get my parents killed? They loved you and treated you as their own. If you wanted anything, you only needed to ask; and my parents would have done the same for you. Why...for what vicious, disgusting plan of yours did you have to play with my feelings? Are you enjoying all of it?"

"If I told you I was innocent, would you believe me?"

Tim shook his head: "What do you think? I lost everything because of you. My parents died, and I was a mess. I took to drinking...almost died from it. And you? You and your family took away all my family property, and you left! Leaving nothing behind you, not a note, not a number...you just vanished. How am I supposed to believe you?"

"Tim..."

Tim continued: "If Rachel weren't there for me, I would never have survived those dark days. I would have given up, like you wished, and become too much of a loser to fight against your family."

“……”

"But I survived. And I don't allow myself to fall in the same place twice."

Nancy smiled sadly. The same place...he was talking about her, wasn't he?

He wouldn't believe her, and wouldn't...love her again.

She wetted her lips before asking: "What kind of girl is Rachel?"

Tim's expression softened: "She's...smart, and kind, and most of all, she gets me."

"She loves you, doesn't she?"

"Of course she does."

Nancy nodded: "That's good to know."

It was good to know because when I was gone, I would go knowing that you weren't alone...someone else would be there for you, in my place.

I would die peacefully, and without regret.

I would quietly walk away from your life, and die in a place where no one knew me.

The clock on the wall struck twelve. It was midnight.

She looked up at him with a bright smile: "Just tonight, I promise. After tonight, I'll sign the divorce papers."

Tim didn't reply. He frowned at her, as if debating whether she could be trusted.

Nancy walked to him, leaning against his chest, and pressing her lips onto his: "Consider it as my last wish, please..."