Chapter 3

3 "Pathetic, now you're trying to repent," Jake sneered. "You killed this child! If you hadn't provoked me, I wouldn't have kicked you."

I knelt, sobbing uncontrollably, unable to speak.

"Crash!" Jake smashed our wedding photo, tearing it to shreds.

"Amy, I'm divorcing you."

I looked at the shattered remains and whispered, "Okay." My goal was achieved. I could find a quiet place to die.

But the sorrow was immense. Jake and I had been so happy once. We'd grown up together, almost inseparable. I remembered him saying, in high school, when I was sick, "Amy, if you die, I'll die too." And after our daughter died, when I was ready to kill myself, he held me close, whispering, "Amy, you're all I have. If you die, I won't live."

So I had to become the villain. Jake, just live well.

The next day, I expected Jake to take me to the courthouse. Instead, he took me to our daughter's grave.

"It's been a hundred days since our daughter died," he said. "You want a divorce, to escape me, to live your life, right?"

He slammed my head to the ground. "Dream on, Amy. I won't let you go. I'm not divorcing you. Apologize to our daughter!"

He forced me to bow my head repeatedly. The force was brutal, my head pounding. But I didn't resist. Daughter, I'm coming to join you soon.

Sarah spoke up, "Jake, look, Amy's smiling. How can she do that at her daughter's grave?!"

Jake's rage exploded. He pressed harder, his voice filled with fury. "Amy, you're a monster! A monster!"

Blood streamed down my forehead, blurring my vision. I still didn't resist. Death would be a welcome escape.

But Jake suddenly released me, gripping my hair, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

"Amy, how could you be so evil? You once said you loved our daughter! You loved her so much!"

Yes, I loved her. I'd die for her. Every day since her death, I'd mourned her. Now, heaven offered me a chance to see her again. It was… good.

"Silent, are you? Don't think that will save you."

He dragged me to the car and took me home. He tied me up in the master bedroom, forcing me to watch him and Sarah.

My heart ached. I closed my eyes, but he forced them open, making me watch him kiss Sarah's face, lips, ears… tenderly tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

I trembled, tears streaming down my face. As long as he truly loved Sarah, he would be happy.

Afterward, he threw a used condom in my face. His voice was filled with disgust. "You should live in torment forever." "Murderer!"