Author: x17267807909@gmail.com
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Chapter 5: Return and Testing
It was late at night by the time I got back to Allen’s place. Leon wasn’t asleep yet, and prompted by Allen, he reluctantly apologized to me. I said, “It’s okay.” Then I gave him the gift I’d brought back—a limited edition Stephen King novel. He glanced at it, not wanting to take it: “I…
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Chapter 6: Peaceful Life and Undercurrents
Married life was pretty much as I’d expected. The only difference was that since that day my gesture of goodwill was rejected, I hadn’t stepped foot in the kitchen. At home, I either ordered takeout or ate out. Allen didn’t say anything; we coexisted peacefully. After a month, Leon started acting up again. The trigger…
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Chapter 4: Work and Observation
This business trip was to a remote township. After landing, I met up with my colleague Chris, rested for a night, and then took a train and a bus the next day to reach our destination. The cell signal there was poor, and the local accent was thick, making our evidence-gathering work difficult. We had…
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Chapter 3: Space and Reflection
On the plane, I turned off my phone. Two hours later, after landing, I turned it back on and received two messages. Allen: Don’t be hard on yourself while you’re away. Susan: That Leon kid is way out of line. I gave him a piece of my mind. Boys his age are like that; they…
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Chapter 2: Drawing Boundaries
The next day, I came home from work and found the debris from the previous day completely untouched. I pretended not to see it, simply packed a few clothes, and left again. Allen didn’t see me when he got home from work and called to ask. “I’m on a business trip. Back next week,” I…
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Chapter 3: Space and Reflection
On the plane, I turned off my phone. Two hours later, after landing, I turned it back on and received two messages. Allen: Don’t be hard on yourself while you’re away. Susan: That Leon kid is way out of line. I gave him a piece of my mind. Boys his age are like that; they…
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Chapter 2: Drawing Boundaries
The next day, I came home from work and found the debris from the previous day completely untouched. I pretended not to see it, simply packed a few clothes, and left again. Allen didn’t see me when he got home from work and called to ask. “I’m on a business trip. Back next week,” I…
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Chapter 15: The End of the Plot
True to her word, Rose, upon waking, forgave Hunter and didn’t press charges. After the police left, Hunter confronted her. “What is your endgame?” Rose replied, “Hunter, dying in your arms would be my only wish. Only after I’m gone will you understand I was your true love. I don’t blame you. Please don’t be…
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Chapter 14: The Aftermath
When I arrived, the Allendales were gathered outside the room. Hunter’s parents weren’t there; they were busy apologizing to the Chows. Hunter was getting an earful over the phone, and after hanging up, he smashed his phone to pieces. When the doctor jokingly asked, “Save the mother or the child?” Hunter looked up, snarling, “Hopefully…