Chapter 3

When we got into the car, Randell started talking to me about his plans for the next day. "I've already prepared a birthday surprise for you. And once this busy period is over, we can start planning for a baby, okay?" I only listened quietly without responding as I continued to stare out the window. He had only just turned the car on when his phone rang. He answered it, and his voice was laced with hesitation as his brows furrowed ever so slightly. I turned to look at him and said calmly, "Go ahead if you need to leave." He hesitated for a moment as he said, "Jules, I…" "It's okay. I'll wait for you at the yacht." I didn't get a good look at the caller ID, but I knew that only one person could make him form such an expression. As I boarded the yacht by myself, I took out my phone and looked at May's social media. I found a newly posted photo with the caption, "It's nice to have someone keep me company just as I find success. Thank you for bringing me a late-night snack and coming all the way here just so I have someone to talk to. Thank you for always taking care of me." The comments below were all lauding her. "Your husband is so good to you!" "This is the true example of a devoted husband!" However, my attention was drawn to the hand in the photo. I was very familiar with the rosary beads on that wrist. They belonged to Randell. I called his number, but it was May who answered. "Why are you calling so late, Julia? You're not looking for Randell, are you?" May asked, her voice thick with mockery. "Just give up. He's not going back tonight. Who asked you to fail to keep your man interested, dear sister? I've already handed him to you, and yet you still couldn't hold onto him." I hung up the phone abruptly, then turned to the yacht's crew and said, "Set sail." "We're not waiting for the others?" "No. It's just me," I answered softly. The yacht slowly took off, cutting through the waters bathed in the night as it set sail for the deep seas. I stood by myself at the bow, staring at the stars above. The sea breeze was cold and biting, and starlight shimmered across the waters. Randell didn't appear at all that night. As I leaned against the railings on the deck, I stared at the sea blankly. Memories from the past five years flashed through my mind. His gentleness, his companionship, his promises… All of these memories were like shards of glass slashing across my heart. And in the end, when pieced together, those shards formed nothing but a broken picture. All the illusions and hypocrisy seemed ironic and laughable now. Just before sunrise, I gave him one last call. This time, the phone was turned off. I stared at the screen as I set a phone recording and the video evidence of me creating that painting to be uploaded automatically at a certain time. After finishing all that, I took one last look at the faint light that was slowly rising on the horizon. Then, I flung myself overboard and dove into the icy waters. Meanwhile, Randell was hastily leaving while telling May, "I need to go. It's her birthday tomorrow, and I promised I'd watch the sunrise with her." May tried to stop him, clearly upset. "Randy, I need you right now too…" Randell shook his head. "No, not today." Right then, his assistant, Evan Smithers, finally located him. "Mr. Gunther! Your wife… she jumped down from the yacht!"