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Once Gale realized things were truly over, she completely lost it. Her words turned vicious, spilling out without any thought. “Feeling smug now, Shannon?” she shouted. “You set this whole trap, didn’t you? Waiting for me to walk right into it. You’re such a schemer. Don’t pretend you’re better than me. You’re just better at playing innocent!“}
She took a step closer, hatred burning in her eyes, and went on, “Even if I go to prison, I will come back for you. Mark my words. Your life won’t be peaceful. I’ll make sure you pay for everything in blood. I swear I’ll-“}
But she didn’t finish her sentence.
Clutching her neck, Gale’s face twisted in pain. Blood started gushing from the wound, pouring between her fingers. She tried to scream, to beg for help, but no sound came out.
And there Rusty was, calm, as he crouched beside her, his hands kept moving up and down without hesitation. In seconds, Gale’s body was covered in wounds. Her eyes rolled back before she collapsed, unconscious.
It all happened so fast, like a nightmare unraveling in slow motion.
Clayton shielded me and slowly backed us toward the door, keeping me safe.
Meanwhile, Rusty didn’t stop until he was sure she was dead. The moment he stood up, my heart nearly stopped.
But just then, the police burst in, shouting for him to drop the weapon, urging him to calm down.
Yet, he didn’t seem to hear them. His eyes were locked on me.
“Shannon,” he said softly, “I’ve wronged you more than anyone else. Everything that happened to you was my fault. I couldn’t protect you, couldn’t give you peace. So I took her life in exchange for yours.“}
His voice broke slightly, though his gaze never wavered.§
“Being with you was the best time of my life. And even if you don’t forgive me, I hope I get to meet you again in the next one. I’ll love you better then.“}
Before anyone could stop him, Rusty raised the knife and took his own life, right there in front of everyone.}
The room exploded with panic and noise, but I stood frozen in place, overwhelmed by emotion. I should’ve felt vindicated, triumphant even, but all I could feel was the weight of it all.
In the days that followed, I worked with the police to finish the investigation. I stayed quiet, letting everything settle.
Clayton tried to lift my spirits. Half–jokingly, he reminded me that I still owed him a proper date, the one we never got to finish.
Of course, I couldn’t say no to him. Besides, I knew it was time to move forward.§
As such, we packed up and went on a road trip. From the ocean to the grasslands, from flat plains to towering mountains, we explored the beauty of the country together.
With every challenge we faced on the road, our bond only grew stronger.}
And on the final stop of our journey, we returned to our hometown.
In the very place where I first fell for Clayton, I got down on one knee and asked him to marry me.
Tears sparkled in his eyes as he said yes.”
And just like that, our life as a family of three was finally beginning.
