Chapter 22
Ethan’s phone was flooded with birthday wishes.]
That’s when it hit him–today was his birthday.
His mind had become a numb machine, shutting down all functions|||
His fingers mindlessly scrolled through his phone until he stumbled across old messages from Scarlett.|||
May 27, 2024 00:00
“Happy birthday. Dhan-
May 27, 2023 00:00
“Happy birthday. Ethan.”
May 27, 2022 00:00
Happy birthday, Ethan.”
The words on the screen stabbed straight through his heart.]
His body went ice cold. Invisible monsters seemed to tear at his flesh. Every inch of him throbbed with unbearable pain. He started shaking uncontrollably
e phone slipped from has hand and crashed to the floor.||
Was Scarlett simply too good at reading him?||
Did she know even if she sent these messages, he’d never look?]
Or was he just too careless?
He had never noticed that every single year, she was the first person to wish him happy birthday:[]
dat
His hear clenched in agony. He clutched at his chest, gasping for air.]
When he finally calmed down, he grabbed his car keys and walked out of the office,
The villa was eerily quiet at night.
As soon as he opened the door, the stench of decay hit him []
The smell of a decomposing body
Without turning on the lights, he slowly walked over to Summer’s body
She had starved to death.
Before dying, she had chewed her hands paw. Her body was curled up in pain, as if trying to find some relier||
The walls were covered in bloody scratches from her fingernails ||
in the darkness, it looked horrifying
But Elhan wasn’t posted
just stared calmly at the putrid corper. I expression unne
You’ve made a mess.““]
unnervingly cool. Ita Low Durrowed slightly as he spoke to summer ||
He sulled up his sleeves. filled a bastar withe alei, and began cheating (
By dan
- he had taken care of Summer completelyl)
the wiped sweat from his forebeat
Then he picked up Scarlett’s memorial photo again, gently pressing his lips to her image:]]
He let out a soft laugh, his tome slightly accusatory||
Scarlett, you annoying woman. You did so much for me. Why couldn’t you just tell me?–||
“Everyone gets birthday gifts, but you? Just a simple happy birthday text? I know you did it on purpose. Since I never knew when your birthday was you deliberately didn’t get me gifts, right? Right. Scarlet
with you. But I knew nothing I called you
“But now I know. That day at the amusement park was your birthday. Your wish was for me to ride the Ferris wheel w childish and left you alone. Was I a total asshole? I bet you cursed me out after I left
He sniffled as tears streamed down his face, landing on her smiling face in the p
photo
“You’re right to curse me. Scarlett. 1 AM a Ducking asshole!”
He had no photos of Scarlett. Not a single one.
The memorial photo was just a printout from an old interview she’d done.]
Itis tears nowed uncontrollably now
Ethan sobbed loudly.]
His mind was filled with Scarlett’s pale face after she learned about her illness.[]
seemed like that was when the smiling Scarlett stopped smiling ||
She’d asked him to do five final things with her.]
First, attend a charity gals with her. But he bought the painting she wanted and gave it to Summer instead
Second, accompany her to portland. But right before boarding, he abandoned her to meet Summer
Third, she asked him to stay with her. He reluctantly agreed while süently cursing her the whole time.]
Fourth, go to an amusement park with her. He was not only impatient and moody all day, but also ignored her requests.||
Fifth, she just wanted him to cook her a meal. But he invited Summer over too.
Even now, he could remember the disappointment in Scarlett’s eyes.
It felt like a knife twisting in his gut, malding his insides scream with pain []
These five things–he hadn’t done a single one right.
