The Scapegoat for His First Love

Two years after my death, my husband once again wanted me to take the fall for his first love.

He came to my house with a fabricated confession, only to find it empty. Left with no choice, he inquired about my whereabouts with a neighbor. But the neighbor told him:

Her? Oh, she died a long time ago!

I heard she suffered terribly in prison. She passed away from complications just two days after her release.

My husband refused to believe it, convinced that I was conspiring with the neighbor to deceive him. His face darkened. He scoffed, So, I put her in prison for a few years, and now shes putting on a show for me, is she?

Please tell her that if I dont see her within three days, she can forget about me continuing to support that bastard child!

My husband stormed off, sleeves flaring. The neighbor watched him leave, shaking her head with a sigh. But that child also died in a car accident a long time ago, and the culprit is still at large

Down the hall, the metal security door rattled with a loud clang. I floated in the air, watching Mark Kingston and Eleanor Reed stand before my old home, as if wanting to kick a hole straight through the door.

Claire Davies, get out here! Dont think I cant find you just because youre not responding to my messages!

Dont you know how urgent Eleanors situation is? How can you be so heartless, refusing to help her in her time of need?!

It had been five years since I was imprisoned. Mark and I hadnt seen each other since. I never imagined that the only time he would remember me was to ask me to take the fall for his first love again.

Eleanor stood behind him, sunglasses loosely perched on her face, looking frail and delicate. Mark, what if shes not home? Maybe lets just forget it?

Impossible. Where else would someone fresh out of prison go? Shes definitely hiding from me on purpose.

Claire Davies! Get out here! Mark gritted his teeth, his kicks against the door becoming more violent. The noise even disturbed Mrs. Jenkins next door. She opened her door, frowning.

Who are you looking for? This house has been empty for a long time.

Mark shot a cold glance at her. Im looking for Claire Davies. Has she gone out?

Claire Davies? Mrs. Jenkinss gaze suddenly became complicated. Oh, her she died a long time ago.

I saw Marks expression freeze for a moment, but it quickly reverted to his usual dismissive look. You must be joking. How could someone like Claire Davies

How could I joke about something like that? Mrs. Jenkins interrupted him. She died two years ago, just two days after getting out of prison. Doctors couldnt save her. Who are you to her?

She, how could Marks next words got stuck in his throat, and his expression subtly changed at Mrs. Jenkinss statement.

Eleanor, seeing this, tugged on Marks sleeve. Mark, let it go Claire even put out news like this. She must still resent us for making her take the fall two years ago.

It looks like she wont help me again. Lets go back. Eleanors single sentence instantly dispelled Marks suspicions, making him believe I was deliberately faking my death to avoid helping them.

Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, Mark sneered, Resent? What does she have to resent? I gave her so much money; she should be grateful!

I floated above their heads, feeling my soul tremble at his words. Money? I hadnt received a single penny of that money. I had planned to save it for our daughter, Jasmine, for college. But just two days after I was imprisoned, all the money in the account was withdrawn. If it hadnt been for that, how could our daughter have ended up in a situation where she couldnt even afford medical care when critically injured!

Eleanor feigned a sigh. Its okay, Mark. If she wants me to go to prison, I will. Honestly, Im not afraid of any of it. I just cant bear to be separated from you

Mark was instantly moved. He clasped her hand. Eleanor, dont worry, I wont let you leave me. Ill find her. This time, she has to take the blame for you!

Looking at their faces, I wished I could rush down and strangle them. But I was just a transparent soul, powerless to do anything. After comforting Eleanor, Mark turned to Mrs. Jenkins, his voice stern.

Madam, please tell Claire Davies that if I dont see her within three days, she can forget about me continuing to support that bastard child!

Mrs. Jenkins paused. But that child also died in a car accident a long time ago, and the culprit is still at large

Mark couldnt help but snort through his nose. Pretend, keep pretending! So I put her in prison for a few years, and now shes putting on a show for me! He grabbed Eleanor and turned to leave, muttering, Shes definitely hiding. Ill dig her out if I have to!

Watching them walk away, those painful memories resurfaced. Two years ago, Mark had come to me just like this. Eleanor had been driving drunk and hit someone. He knelt before me, crying and begging me to take the blame.

Claire, just three years, itll pass quickly

This project is very important to Eleanor; she cant have a criminal record! Please help her, just this one last time, okay?

Dont worry, Ill give you a sum of money, and Ill arrange everything for Jasmine, too, sending her to the best schools!

Please help her, Im begging you

Looking at his tear-streaked face, and thinking of our child, I agreed. Because I still loved him, foolishly believing it could save our marriage. But life in prison was hellish. The other inmates, as if instructed by someone, would gang up on me during free time. They stole my food, poured water on my bed, and sharpened toothbrushes to stab my thighs. Going hungry was common, and beatings were a daily occurrence.

The prison guards all turned a blind eye, sometimes even intentionally putting me in solitary confinement. Three years, a full three years. I endured it like a dog, my only hope being to see my daughter, Jasmine, after I got out. But when I finally walked out of prison, all I received was news of Jasmines death. She was hit by a car that ran a red light while crossing the street. Afterward, because we couldnt afford medical expenses, she tragically missed the best treatment time.

I found out later that there was no money in the card at all. Someone had withdrawn all the money a few days after I was imprisoned. And she never went to any best school either; Mark hadnt cared about her at all. I knelt in the hospital morgue, looking at Jasmines pale face, a mouthful of blood rising in my throat. The next day, my heart stopped beating.

Mommy

I spun around, seeing Jasmines translucent spirit standing behind me. She tilted her head, her big eyes full of confusion. Why did Daddy say I was a bastard child? Arent I Daddy and Mommys baby?

I knelt, trying to hug her, but could only pass through her ethereal body. Of course Jasmine is Daddy and Mommys precious girl

Then why doesnt Daddy want us anymore? Jasmines voice was tearful. I miss Daddy so much

I looked up in the direction Mark had left, boundless hatred surging from the depths of my soul. He not only ruined me but didnt care about our daughters death either. He wouldnt even believe she was our child, calling her a bastard child from beginning to end!

Suddenly, I felt my body grow heavy. An invisible force pulled me, following Marks car. It seemed my soul was still bound to this cruel man.

Mark drove, making a phone call. Find Claire Davies for me. I want her, dead or alive!

Eleanor asked worriedly, Mark, what if she really is dead?

Impossible! Mark declared firmly. She was so hesitant to go to prison for a few years back then. How could someone so attached to life possibly die?

And dont worry, we still have Jasmine in our grasp. She wouldnt dare disobey.

I floated in the back seat, looking at Marks handsome profile, and suddenly felt like laughing. Yes, in his eyes, someone like me didnt even have the right to die.

Jasmine had followed us at some point. She lay on my lap, whispering, Mommy, does Daddy not like me?

My eyes stung, and I smiled. No, honey, Daddy is just busy.

Hes so busy I waited for him every day, but he never even called me

I turned my face away, not wanting my daughter to see my distorted expression. Mark, did you hear that? Our daughter waited for you until her death!

The car stopped in front of a high-end restaurant. Mark, holding Eleanors hand, walked in, a sweet smile on his face, as if the previous incident had never happened. I followed behind them, watching Mark thoughtfully pull out a chair for her, and she, with a coy blush, accepted his attentiveness.

Mark, Im so grateful for your help with this. If it werent for you, I dont know what Id do.

Mark gently clasped her hand. Thank me for what? For you, Id do anything.