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All Chapters of The Goodbye Unseen: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

After Mom's cremation, I shut myself in my room and wept for a whole day and night.Just two days ago, she was laughing, baking me a cake, and then all that was left of her was a pile of dust. I cried until I passed out. In a matter of days, death had torn us apart.Emma Rogers, the woman who used to spread lies about me, was living the dream. She was all over Twitter, flaunting her perfect life.Her latest post was a selfie showcasing her collarbone, littered with hickeys.She tweeted: [What's a girl to do when her boyfriend's super clingy?[He promised to spoil me, but all he did was enjoy himself. [@Andrew, please tell me, who's hotter, me or your wife? Who do you love more? And just so you know, if you get it wrong, you're banned from my room tonight! ]She even tagged Andrew Snyder's alt account. There he was, replying earnestly: [I love you the most. My Emmy's the most beautiful.]I could feel the love oozing through the screen. It was a kind of affection Andrew had ne

Chapter 2

The Goodbye Unseen/Lucky Charm

Mom's funeral was kept simple.However, a bunch of Andrew's relatives were still hanging around. As I was walking by, I overheard them whispering."Did you see the woman's face? All that makeup can't hide how sickening it is.""I heard she's got a nasty rep. She caused an explosion back in university and hurt a bunch of students. Hey, Mrs. Snyder, wasn't your son saved by her?"Andrew's mom let out a soft laugh, her voice dripping with skepticism. "Sure, she 'saved' Andrew, but who's to say she didn't cause that explosion on purpose? Maybe she wanted to play the savior card so that she could wrap Andrew around her finger forever?""You might be onto something! Jessica Harris is like a walking bad omen. Her friends ended up with broken legs, and she even managed to anger her dad to death. Now, her mom's gone too.""They were supposed to hold a wedding, but it turned into a funeral instead. Jessica's like a magnet for disaster!"I bit my lip so hard it turned white. Anger rushed t

Chapter 3

The Goodbye Unseen/Lucky Charm

Andrew and Emma sprang apart like they had been caught. Andrew scrambled to fix her clothes, all flustered. "Why are you back? I was just helping her out, putting some cream on a scrape she got on her back."My voice came out all scratchy. "Is that all you were doing?"Maybe he had grown accustomed to my humble demeanor, or maybe he thought I was challenging him.Andrew scrunched up his brows. "Jessica, you're not seriously getting worked up over this, are you?"He grabbed a box from nearby and shoved it into my hands like he was doing me a favor. "Emma picked this out just for you. It's chocolate from Belmar Island."Three years together, and he still did not get me. He did not even know I could not stand chocolate. I chucked the chocolate to the floor and stomped on it."I don't want anything that's been touched by someone else."That went for people too.Andrew lost it. "What are you freaking out about now? I was just helping her to fulfill her wish. What's the big deal?! Em

Chapter 4

The Goodbye Unseen/Lucky Charm

"No way! How could..."Andrew's eyes shook, slowly turning to me."That can't be right. Her mom was so strong. How could she just be gone?!"The nurse on the phone was at a loss for words. "The lady had a heart condition and couldn't handle stress. We sent out the death notice the day before yesterday, sir. Didn't you know?"The phone slipped from Andrew's grasp, hitting the floor as panic took over his face. "Jessica, this has to be some sick joke you're playing on me, right?"I fought the overwhelming urge to gasp for air, but no words came out, just silent tears.Andrew could not lie to himself anymore. As I passed out and started convulsing, he dialed for an ambulance, his eyes filled with a worry and urgency I had never seen. "Jessica, you can't… Nothing can happen to you!"…When I came to, I was in the hospital.Andrew was there, gently holding my hand, his eyes resting on the rashes on my face. His voice was rough with emotion. "Jessica, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you

Chapter 5

The Goodbye Unseen/Lucky Charm

I stopped, holding Andrew's gaze."I wouldn't save you. Not in a million years."Andrew's voice was a rasp. "Jessica..."I looked away."Andrew, you're just... the worst."Andrew's shoulders slumped, defeated....After I got out of the hospital, I went home and changed the locks.I used to think Andrew was end game, so I gave him my keys, letting him waltz in and out like it was nothing. That had been a big mistake. It turned out he was the very person who bit me in the back. I straightened up Mom's photo again and dug into some pierogi in front of it. The ones Mom used to make were long gone. These were my own newbie attempts. The dough was too thick, and they just fell apart in the pot. They were nothing like Mom's. Hers were delicate and stuffed full, and I could scarf down two heaping plates with no problem.The more I munched, the more I felt like bawling. I mumbled to her photo, "Mom, you never got to try my pierogi. They're not as yummy as yours. Mom, I'm craving y

Chapter 6

The Goodbye Unseen/Lucky Charm

Andrew would not let go.He seemed dead set on cutting Emma out for good.Day after day, Emma's nasty texts kept coming.[Jessica, you think you're still good enough for Andrew with that face?[I don't care what spell you've cast on Andrew, he's mine![Here's a friendly tip: stay away from Andrew. Haven't you learned anything from the past?]Even Andrew's parents joined the guilt-tripping parade."Jessica, you're a sweet girl, but let's be real, with your scars, snagging someone like Andrew is your last shot at a decent life... "Mrs. Snyder tried to sound caring, but her words were dripping with disdain."Jessica, let's be real—who would actually fall for someone like you? Only our dear Andrew—bless his rich, naive heart—is willing to put up with you. It's just a wedding, right? We can always do it over."I had always known that they did not think much of me, but I was willing to put up with them for Andrew. No matter how cutting or cruel their words were, I could take it. H

Chapter 7

The Goodbye Unseen/Lucky Charm

I ripped everything Andrew left behind in two and tossed it all in the trash. Time was not the only thing I had wasted during our time together.He had been camping out under my window for days, like he was on some kind of stakeout. Every time he saw me, he would start to say something, then just clam up.However, when I pulled out the gloves he gave me, his eyes sparkled to life. Too bad for him, I tossed them into the bin without a second thought.Andrew's voice spiked. "Don't!"Tears streamed down his face, and I had never seen a guy fall apart like that. He scrambled into the trash like he had lost his mind.I knew what those gloves meant. They were our memories—a cheap pair that cost ten bucks but which I had kept for three years. They were shabby and let the cold in, but they meant something. Back when the whole university turned against me, Andrew stood by me, holding my hand firmly in support. Because of that, he ended up being misunderstood along with me."Jessica, I t

Chapter 8

The Goodbye Unseen/Lucky Charm

"Andrew? What are you saying? You think I'm vile?" Emma's voice rose in indignant fury.Andrew rose to his feet, his stance composed as he faced her. "Aren't you vile? The explosion, the deceit, the fear that Jessica would reveal the truth... You wanted me to be her savior, to feign love to silence her."You've ruined her life. Her father died from a stroke, her family was uprooted, and her mother's heart broke."With each accusation, Emma trembled."Emma, don't you see how vile you are?"Emma was cornered by guilt, her eyes darted around. Her bravado was gone. "You're lying... Andrew, you're lying!"Her voice became strained as she shook her head in dismay. "Andrew, how could you do this to me?!"Guys, don't listen to him. Andrew and Jessica must be in on this together to mess with me!"Emma scanned the room, desperate for someone to take her side.I waved my phone, the screen showing the video. "Talking about me, Emma?"Her eyes were fiery red as she lunged at me, spitting