Love, Lies, and a Death Certificate - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Hearing Wendel’s words, my brother hit him even harder. 

“Don’t call me ‘brother‘! I’m not your brother!” 

I grabbed my brother’s arm, stopping him from hitting Wendel. His face was already covered in blood–if he continued, he might not survive. 

“Leave. I have nothing to say to you,” I intoned coldly. 

As soon as my brother stopped, Wendel immediately straightened up and knelt. 

“I’m not leaving. I’ve come to take you home, Aileen. You’re my wife. If you leave, we leave together.” 

At this, my brother became enraged again, about to strike. I shook my head at him and then turned to look at Wendel, who was kneeling before me. 

“Have you forgotten? Because you faked your death to escape marriage, we never had a wedding, and we never registered. Legally, I’m single. We’re not married.” 

Wendel remained kneeling, his expression unwavering. 

I sighed, tears falling in large drops. “Wendel, do you remember what I said the day I agreed to be with you?” 

My tears landed on Wendel’s hand, and he froze as if burned by them. 

I gently wiped my face and smiled. “That day, I said–Wendel, if you ever fall in love with someone else, it’s okay. I only have one request. Don’t lie to me. Be honest with me, and I won’t pester you. I will walk away on my own.” 

“But you broke your promise. You fell in love with someone else, and you lied to me. So, I walked away.” 

-Wendel’s tense shoulders gradually sagged. 

“It’s not true, Aileen. I didn’t fall in love with anyone else. I love you. I only love you. It was her who seduced me…” 

His voice grew softer, and/I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. 

“Is that so? Maybe. Maybe you do love me.” 

“But that doesn’t change the fact that you had an affair with another woman, that you left me alone at the wedding, and that you were willing to put on such a huge act to avoid marrying me.” 

15:35 Mon, 19 May G 

*.72% 

“She seduced you, and you just had to fall for it? Still defending yourself, Wendel, don’t disgust me any further.” 

Wendel’s eyes were bloodshot as he fell silent for a long while before speaking softly. “I’m sorry.” 

I scoffed again. “Sorry?” 

“If you truly feel sorry, then leave. Leave far away, and never disturb my life again. Never show your face in front of me.” 

“Wendel, I will never forgive you.” 

I slammed the door shut, not saying another word to him. 

I didn’t know when Wendel left, but the next day when I opened the door, there was no one there. 

The next six months, I lived with my brother, almost as if I had returned to the childhood days when we relied on each other. 

Wendel did exactly as I had asked–he never disturbed my life. 

Until one day, when my brother and I were lounging on the balcony couch, watching the night sky, he hesitated for a while before speaking softly. 

“Someone contacted me from back home. They said Wendel is dead. He committed suicide due to depression.” 

“They found a skeleton in the basement of his villa. After identification, it was confirmed to be Ivy’s.” 

“They said Wendel developed severe depression shortly after returning and needed round–the–clock care. Yesterday, when his mother went downstairs to get water, he jumped from the building.” 

I gently caressed the wine glass in my hand, unsure of what to say. 

Unexpectedly, my tears fell into the glass, creating ripples on the surface. 

My brother’s voice broke the silence once more. “His funeral is the day after tomorrow. Do you want to go back?” 

I gently shook my head. 

What would I go back for? What identity would I return with? 

There was no need. 

“Aileen, do you still hate him?” 

At this question, I froze. 

After a long moment, I wiped the tear from my eye and drank the wine in my 

15:35 Mon, 19 May G 

glass in one gulp. 

“Before hearing this news, yes, I hated him.” 

But now, with his death, everything from the past was wiped away. 

Falling petals no longer cling to the branch. 

You and I shall never meet again. 

Wendel, farewell. 

(The End)