Chapter 8
Meanwhile, at the Parker home…]
Jackson had restarted the family business, with Zoey helping at the company.
“Jackson,” Zoey said sadly, “Mia’s birthday is in two days.”
Jackson paused what he was doing, a wistful expression crossing his face.]
“Yeah. By this time every year, we’d be planning some kind of surprise for her.”
They exchanged a glance, both sighing softly.[]
That night, I visited Jackson in his dream.
I chose him because Zoey was too young–I didn’t want to frighten her.[]
“Jackson, I need your help with something.“[]
Jackson’s eyes instantly reddened. “Anything.“[]
My kidney is still with Chase Because my body isn’t complete, I can’t move on. Can you get it back for me?“]]
“Of course. Mia… are you okay wherever you are?”
“I miss you all so much! If there’s another life after this, I promise I’ll listen to you better… I’m sorry!“]
Jackson woke with a start, the corners of his eyes still damp.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring into the darkness of his room, unable to hold back his sobs.]
Don’t cry. These past two years by your side have been happy ones.
But I’m tired of drifting. I’m exhausted. I want to begin again.]]
You understand, don’t you?]
At the psychiatric hospital, isolation ward.]]
Chase curled up in the corner, grinning stupidly at empty air. “Mia, you want a strawberry cake today? I’ll have the chef make one…“[]
Before he could finish, the door burst open. Police officers rushed in with a search warrant while he continued his conversation with nothing.]
When the forensic technician pulled a glass jar wrapped in silk from between the mattress layers, Jackson heard his own teeth chattering:[]
A kidney floated in clear liquid, its edges yellowing, A label on the bottom of the jar read: “My beloved wife, Mia.“]
As he held the jar, his hatred reached its peak.
Turning, he saw Chase at the morgue entrance.
Chase was strapped to a wheelchair, smiling vacantly in their direction, drool dripping onto his hospital gown.
Fury rose in Jackson. He stepped forward and slapped Chase hard across the face.
The sharp sound echoed as Chase’s cheek
- d.
But Chase didn’t cry or protest. He just stared blankly into empty space, lost in his own world.]
“Mia must have had the worst karma in the world to end up with someone like you.“[]
Jackson spat out the words, seething.
Standing at my grave, his voice was hoarse.[]
“Don’t worry. I won’t let that bastard off easily.“]}]
“He’s in that special facility now, but he doesn’t have long. They found a tumor in his brain last week. Soon he’ll face judgment before you…“[]
“Oh… I forgot. You don’t want to see him. I’ll help you move on quickly, Mia. Never look back again.“[]
The flames in the metal basin suddenly leaped higher, ashes drifting toward my portrait, resembling the dandelions we played with as children.[]
Zoey placed the black box and my ashes in her backpack. “Jackson, tomorrow’s Mia’s birthday. Let’s go to her favorite beach.“[]
The next morning, on Golden Sands Beach.]
Jackson placed the black box on the waves, which quickly pulled it away like a playful tongue.]
A ship’s horn sounded in the distance, reminding me of my sixteenth birthday wish: “I hope someday I can see the real ocean.“[]
His phone vibrated. Someone had sent a message: Chase suffered a brain hemorrhage early this morning. He’s in a coma. Doctors say the chances of him waking up are extremely low.
Jackson deleted the message and threw the empty jar into the sea.[]
The glass bottle caught the sunlight, reminiscent of the crystal hairpin in the black box–Chase’s eighteenth birthday gift to me.]
The memories of the past had scattered away.[]
Zoey suddenly pointed to the distance. “Jackson, look!“]
A pod of dolphins leaped above the horizon, their silver–gray backs cutting through the morning light.[]
Looking at the sparkling sea, Jackson felt his eyes grow hot.]
I embraced my family one last time as I felt my soul gradually dissipating.
The sun was rising from the horizon as Zoey scattered the remaining ashes over the water.[]
Jackson pulled out a family photo from his wallet. I stood in the middle, holding cotton candy, my eyes crinkled with joy.
He gently touched the photo. “Mia, we’ve finally made you whole again.“]]
floated in the air, sunlight passing through my body as I slowly faded away.
I watched their silhouettes, silently saying goodbye.[]
From childhood, Jackson had always been good to me, giving me everything I asked for. Zoey had always been sweet and obedient.[]
Having such a brother and sister was the greatest blessing of my life.[]
I hope that in my next life, we can be family again.
On the drive back, the car radio announced: “Early this morning, an unidentified female body was discovered in an alleyway downtown. Preliminary findings suggest she was homeless…“]
…0
Three months later, at the auction of the Vincent mansion.
As Jackson raised his bidding paddle, Chase’s mother sobbed in the corner.
When the gavel fell, he noticed two sparrows building a nest in the sycamore tree outside the auction house.[]
The assistant handed him documents. “Mr. Parker, what are you planning to do with this property?”
“A shelter for stray animals.” He signed his name, pen crossing through the words “Vincent Manor.” “And a free mental health center, named after Mia”
As he walked out of the auction house, the sunlight was perfect.[]
Jackson looked up at the sky, where the wind had shaped clouds into feathery patterns.[]
He knew some wounds would never heal, but at least sunlight could shine through them–giving shelter to souls consumed by shadows.
