Chapter 0125
Abby

The scent of mahogany and bergamot fills the air as I step into the room that was once mine—our

room, really.

I feel so drawn to the familiarity of it all; the embroidered curtains, the chestnut armoire that I remember

picking out myself, and the plush rug that used to cus hion my bare feet in the mornings. Every little

detail is still the same, just as I remember it. It’s uncanny, really.

My fingers trace the intricate patterns on the upholstery of the armchair near the window. It’s a bit

surreal, being back in this space. I mean, this was my sanctuary once. Our sanctuary. But now, it’s

filled with… bittersweet memories. Maybe more bitter than sweet.

I move to the dresser next. That’s when I see it: a photo of us, still sitting exactly where it used to be on

top of the dresser—Karl and I laughing at something, looking so young, so naive. My eyes widen

slightly as I gently pick it up. Did he have this picture up all this time?

As I hold the picture, something stirs in me. Tears begin to pr ick the backs of my eyes, and I have to set

the frame back down with a ragged breath, laying the photo flat so I don’t need to look at it. Suddenly, it

too stuffy in here, and I need to

down the winding staircase and out through

back patio, I take a deep breath,

door, I step into the garden, a sanctuary

of the world

me instantly, filling my senses with

out in front of me like an artist’s vivid canvas. I

sun,

deep sniff.

memories and the

someone is watching me, I look up

that’s where I see Gerald, the butler,

windows.

they hold a

steps away from

skin, a mix of embarrassment and

now an

that I cheated on Karl with the

trying to dispel the uneasy feeling that settles in my gut. Surely he

all, I doubt Karl made a big announcement about

theory about

to go back inside, I take one last look around the garden, breathing

way back towards the house. Just as I reach the patio door, it

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