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.

you ever tell the staff the truth?” I ask, my voice edged with more

with the gardener? That it was

the creases on his forehead deepening. I wait for what feels

waning with

“Karl?”

I didn’t make an

within me, mingling with a heavy dose

“That must be why Gerald

earlier.”

did what?” Karl’s eyes flash, a ripple of anger surfacing before he

really. I just caught him giving

seemed… perturbed when I

jaw clenches, and for a moment, it looks like

forcing himself to calm. “I’ll speak with

what about setting the record straight?” I press, my voice filled

my annoyance

Why didn’t you

look incompetent,” he finally admits,

handle my

“So my reputation gets tarnished because

That’s not fair, Karl. You need to man up and do

meeting mine without evasion this time. “You’re right.

Abby.”

shocked. Karl is so willingly offering to make things right. I

somehow, he’s

the subject. “Where

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