Chapter 90

The scene was eerily similar to when they were younger seven years ago. Back then, Nancy was afraid that the teachers or the students would suspect something, and she would always caution Murphy in the same way. Now that Nancy was a married woman, and Murphy understood her plight, he suppressed some of his own desires, making his movements even gentler. They kissed as they made their way through the dimly lit hallway to the bedroom, not even having time to close the main door behind them. Their clothes were strewn about, from the front door all the way to the bedroom. Nancy was hoisted onto a small single bed. She could smell a musty scent in the room. Though sunlight was bright outside, Murphy's curtains were drawn tightly shut, giving an oppressive feel to the room. Murphy's rough palms roamed her body like icy serpents, coiling around Nancy's chest, ready to strike without warning. Nancy imagined that any second now, Murphy would stifle her breath. All she could do was cling to Murphy, feeling the heartbeat and warmth within his chest. She dared not look directly into Murphy's eyes, for fear they would consume all that was warm and joyful. Nancy was trembling the entire time, trying her best to keep her fear in check. Whenever Nancy thought of Murphy, she would naturally recall the moment he had once raised an ax towards their physics teacher... "Ah!" As Murphy thrust into her, Nancy couldn't help but let out a scream. "What's the matter, Nancy?" When dealing with Nancy, Murphy's voice was always gentle, showing his concern for her well-being. From the moment Nancy stepped into the room, her fingertips were icy cold. "I'm fine." Nancy closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm within her body. Blood! The sight before her was dyed red with gushing blood, to the extent where Nancy, succumbing to fear, began to hallucinate. Nancy closed her eyes tightly, she was scared to death. Seven years ago, Murphy almost killed someone for her, and today, she had come to lure him into killing again on her behalf. From start to finish, Nancy wept gently, her heart teetering on the brink of collapse. Afterwards, Nancy curled up the bed, refusing to speak. Her body wasn't as cold anymore, and she pondered on how to initiate the conversation. Murphy embraced Nancy from the back, lightly kissing her forehead. Seeing Nancy this peaceful and quiet, he felt he needed to break the silence. "Nancy, what are you thinking about?" "I am thinking about where you have been all these years, and if you were doing well ..." Nancy knew that by asking this, she was inching closer to the topic she wanted to discuss. Murphy let out a soft sigh, holding Nancy's frail shoulders. She was thinner than before, yet even more beautiful. "I... well, it has been okay. I got out three months ago. Just had a job interview for a delivery service two days ago. Today at noon, I got the message that I passed. I guess I will start working tomorrow." "Really? I am happy for you." Nancy, looking up at Murphy with bright innocent eyes, gave off a delicate, bird-like charm. Once the conversation started, the strong fear in Nancy’s heart began to subside. Murphy chuckled lightly and shook his head "Being a delivery man is not some great profession. What's there to be happy about?” "Seeing you come back is the happiest thing for me recently," Nancy intentionally let her voice sound somewhat disappointed, burying her head into Murphy's arm and snuggling close to him. "Nancy, have you been doing well in recent years?" Murphy noted Nancy's disappointment, and he already anticipated her reply when he questioned. "Not well" Nancy answered in a concise, unemotional manner. Nancy sat up on the bed, enclosing herself in a corner. Murphy, withdrawing a pack of cigarettes from the bedside drawer, casually lit one, and leaned against the wall with Nancy. To prevent Nancy from feeling cold, Murphy deliberately placed a pillow behind her. "Why not? Is it true that Liam is abusive?" Murphy brought up this topic again, beginning to doubt all that Melissa had told him. Nancy shook her head gently and spoke in a melancholy whisper. "It's not physical abuse, just emotional coldness." "Coldness?" Murphy repeated, puzzled. He flicked off some cigarette ash and turned to look at Nancy. Nancy nodded, making herself look fragile and disheartened. "Yes, do you remember the girl who used to hang out with me when we were in school? The one who was even more outstanding." Nancy deliberately brought up the topic to test Murphy, to verify her conjectures. "I remember, wasn't her name Melissa? The other one was called Amy." Murphy replied calmly, he remembered everything about the people around Nancy. Murphy flicked his cigarette butt into a water bottle and moved to hold Nancy. "But neither of them was as beautiful as you." Murphy looked at Nancy, a face he hadn't examined carefully for seven years. A face meticulously covered up, no flaw could be seen. But it's no longer the natural and delicate face from the schooling days. However, no matter how Nancy has changed, Murphy likes her. Nancy was once just one of Murphy's ex-girlfriends. But ever since he went to jail for her, Nancy had become his only faith to survive in prison. Their once beautiful relationship strengthened. Nancy leaned against Murphy's chest with a sweet smile. "Unfortunately, Melissa and Amy are no longer my friends," Nancy sighed with a dejected look in her eyes. "Why?" Murphy patiently listened and occasionally asked. "Because Melissa was Liam's ex-wife. She had an affair three days after their wedding and was later caught in the act by Liam. Melissa got divorced and moved abroad in anger." Nancy shared her inner grievances and anxiety with Murphy, putting on a pitiful face. "Then Liam ended up marrying me in a twist of fate, and I agreed without thinking. But I later realized that I was just a substitute for Melissa. Until last month, Melissa returned from abroad, she asked me to meet in a coffee shop and declared war on me to win back Liam. She fought me multiple times. How could she do this, divorcing at will and then returning to challenge my position?" "Murphy, I can't accept this. I feel I've been tricked by those two." Murphy listened carefully, growing more and more furious as he did. It turns out that Melissa told Murphy about Liam's supposed domestic abuse of Nancy just to sabotage Liam and Nancy's relationship, hoping they would quickly divorce so she could have Liam back. Melissa's methods were incredibly ruthless. The moment she met Murphy at the mall, she began plotting. Murphy realized that he had been manipulated. On one hand, he felt regretful; on the other, he was apologetic to Nancy for blindly believing in someone else's rumors.