Chapter 0127
Abby

The warm afternoon sunlight casts dappled patterns on the ground as we walk through the park,

holding cardboard coffee cups in our hands. The warmth seeps through the cup, mingling with the crisp

air. It’s a nice moment, bordering on something that feels almost normal.

And then we stop in front of it—the old oak tree.

Its massive trunk and sprawling branches are as iconic as they come. It’s always been a sort of

landmark in this small town, here long before the town was ever built. But to me, it’s more than just a

tree. It’s a bitter reminder of another life, of another version of us.

We took our wedding photos under this tree.

“Do you remember?” Karl asks, his eyes meeting mine as if he’s searching for something—recognition,

perhaps.

“Of course I remember,” I snap, maybe a little too quickly. “How could I forget?”

He looks taken aback, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion. Then, as though sensing he’s

wandered into a minefield, he falls silent.

We stand there for another minute, neither of us able to speak. Then I can’t hold back any longer.

the staff the truth?” I ask, my voice edged with more tension than I’d intended. “That

cheated on you with the gardener? That it was a terrible

silent, the creases on his forehead deepening.

waning with each passing

“Karl?”

I

mingling with a heavy

it? “That must be why Gerald was

earlier.”

Karl’s eyes flash, a ripple of anger surfacing before he reins

that I let that slip. “It’s nothing, really. I just caught him giving me an odd look.

perturbed

moment, it looks like he

to calm. “I’ll speak with

record straight?” I press, my voice

silent again, and my annoyance flares up

Why didn’t you clear

I thought it would make me look incompetent,” he finally

my personal

I retort, incredulous. “So my reputation gets tarnished because

That’s not fair, Karl. You need to

mine without evasion this time. “You’re right. I’ll handle

Abby.”

a bit shocked. Karl is so willingly offering to

somehow, he’s exceeding my

say anything else, he changes the subject. “Where

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