He Kills My Mother for Her Beach House

Chapter 8

Jacob turned and headed for the door.

Immediately, panic gripped Wendy. She lunged forward, grabbing his hand, but he shook her off.

Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, "Jacob, even if I lied, does it really matter?"

"I only hurt her because I love you!" she sobbed. "It happened so long ago, do you really need to dig it up again?"

Jacob's voice was low, almost to himself. "I was wrong from the start."

"I failed Juliana's mother. I won't fail Juliana too."

"I need to find her."

Wendy bit her lip, her voice trembling. "You don't love me anymore, do you?"

"You always told me I was the one you loved, not her."

"She's gone now. Why are you still chasing after her?"

"Jacob, were all those sweet things you said to me just lies?"

Jacob froze, standing there as if struck. He stared blankly at Wendy's tear-streaked face.

Wasn't Wendy the one I loved most?

Then why, when she's crying, do I feel nothing?

Why is it that I never cared when Juliana was around, but now that she's gone, I can't sleep, I can't eat, I feel like I'm losing my mind?

He looked at Wendy in confusion. "Why?"

Wendy threw herself into his arms. "Jacob, forget about her, okay?"

"Sign the divorce papers. Cut ties with her and marry me."

But Jacob gently pushed her away.

He took a step back, looking at her shocked face, and slowly shook his head.

"Wendy, I can't marry you."

"I thought I didn't love Juliana. But after three years together, every little moment, every memory, she became a part of my life."

"I was a fool. Only now that she's gone do I realize how deeply I love her."

"She was the best wife in the world… and I don't think I'll ever find someone like her."

With that, Jacob turned and walked out the door.

Wendy, desperate, called after him. "Jacob, will you come back?"

Jacob hesitated for a moment. Then, in a low voice, he said, "Wendy, actions have consequences. You hurt my mother-in-law. I hope you'll turn yourself in."

And with that, he was gone.

Wendy stood there, frozen, staring at his retreating figure.

Her lips were bleeding from how hard she'd bitten them. She could taste the metallic tang of blood in her mouth, but her face twisted into a manic, almost crazed smile.

Meanwhile, at my mother's old house, I finally found a sense of peace.

She was gone, but I was starting to live as she once had, grocery shopping, cooking, greeting the neighbors. It was my way of remembering her.

I never expected that one afternoon, as I returned from the supermarket, I'd see a familiar face.

Jacob.

He looked different, pale, thinner, worn down in just a few days. His usual neat, polished appearance was gone; his hair was a mess, and his eyes were bloodshot.

The moment he saw me, he rushed toward me. "Juli, I've come to take you home."

I didn't respond. I simply walked past him and headed for the house.

His voice cracked, hoarse with emotion. "Juli, I didn't sign the divorce papers. I was wrong. I finally realized the one I've always loved is you. Let's start over, okay?"

I still didn't answer.

Suddenly, Jacob dropped to his knees, his voice breaking as he begged, "Juli, have you forgotten how much you loved me? Please forgive me…"

I stood still, staring at him for a long, heavy moment. Then, in a quiet voice, I said, "Forgiving you is easy."

A flicker of hope ignited in Jacob's eyes.