Chapter 9

The day before Xenia's wedding, we threw a bachelorette party along with some of our closest friends. Everyone was drinking and chatting as the laughter flowed nonstop. Suddenly, someone said cautiously, "Yvonne, Anderson's sentence has been reduced. He might be released sometime next year." My hand stilled around my glass. Then, I replied quietly, "Is that so?" "Will you—" "Will I what?" I said, laughing. "Will I go pick him up? Will I get my revenge?" Everyone fell silent. I swirled my glass gently. "It's all in the past now. He can come out and start anew. It was my choice to move forward. We won't meet again." Xenia was the first to raise her glass. "Good! Let's drink to Yvonne's new life!" "Cheers!" Our glasses clinked cheerfully together. After the party, I felt rather tipsy, so I went onto the balcony for some fresh air. My phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number. I picked it up. "Hello?" All I heard was silence. After a long time, long enough for me to assume