Chapter 20

Andrew imagined Emily standing under the spotlight and accepting the trophy with a dazzling, confident smile. This was the glory that she deserved, but it'd been delayed for so many years because of him. He closed his eyes, and the image of the timid yet expectant gaze she had when she first married him flashed before him. He also remembered the sight of her quietly preparing dinner in the villa, her despairing tears at the police station, as well as her cold, unwavering gaze when she last saw him. A single, scalding tear slid unexpectedly from the corner of his eye, quickly disappearing into his collar. When he opened his eyes again, the violent storm of emotions in them had calmed, leaving only a quiet, resigned look of release as he quietly wished her the best from afar. Andrew was releasing himself from this torment by finally accepting that she would always be happy but would never be his again. He turned off the radio, and the sound cut off abruptly. All that could be heard