I knew he was hurting, but had I not suffered just as much? Though my name had been cleared, it was far too late. With red-rimmed eyes, I grabbed my shopping basket and headed out the door. Before leaving, I placed the USB drive on the table. “I hope that by the time I return, you’ll be gone.” …When I came back from the market, the old house was empty. The USB drive had disappeared, and so had Lucas. A wave of relief washed over me. The next day, news broke that Karen had been sent to a remote overseas sanatorium, reportedly due to "stress." That afternoon, I ran into Lucas again. He stood at the school gate, watching as I sent the last of the children home. Then, without a word, he stepped into the classroom and quietly helped me clean. I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed my bag and walked out. Lucas followed in silence. It wasn’t until I reached my apartment and was about to close the door that he finally spoke. In the dimly lit hallway, his face was p
続きを読む