Sunset Falls, Love Ends

When our daughter passed away, Ian Blackwood promised her that he would never have another child. So, for all these years, no matter how openly he flaunted his mistresses, not a single one dared to provoke me with talk of children.

Until our daughter Lily's third death anniversary.

I received a pregnancy test result at her graveside. The name on the form was Jenny Hayes, the innocent bridesmaid Ian had practically stolen from someone else's wedding reception.

He glanced at the paper, delivered to me like a cruel gift. There was no gentle interruption to his reverie. He merely chuckled, an unsettling amusement in his eyes.

"The little rascal is playful. Don't mind her. You go ahead with your remembrance; I'll be back in a moment."

That day, I waited from morning until night. What I saw instead was a photo Jenny posted on social media: Ian kissing her belly, with the caption, "Our family of three."

They expected me to rage and make a scene, to even beg him, as I had in the past. But I simply exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I quietly took the divorce papers, signed three years prior, and submitted them for registration, keeping it a secret from everyone.

No one knew that Lily, on her deathbed, had also made a wish to me. The day her father broke his promise would be the day she agreed to let me divorce him.

1.

It was eleven thirty-one in the evening. A biting wind swept through the cemetery. My hands, trembling from the cold, clutched my phone as I called Ian again. The custom ringtone C a recording of him and Jennys intimate whispers C played for a full minute and twenty-six seconds. Finally, a robotic voice announced that the call was unanswered.

I had calculated the time: it took twenty-five minutes from Jennys place to the cemetery. That left three minutes, just enough for him to light an incense stick for Lily and say a few words. But he didnt answer. I knew his phone would likely be unreachable tonight. Six months ago, when I was ill and called him for help, he told me that when he didn't want to take my calls, hed let the ringtone play until I couldn't bear their voices anymore and would be sensible enough to stop bothering him.

I gave a self-deprecating smile. Just before I put my phone away, he sent a rare, unsolicited message.

Dont call. Shes been threatening to get an abortion, and I cant calm her down. Ive given her Lilys necklace for now. Ill order a new one tomorrow. A day earlier or later, Lily wont mind.

I gripped the phone, yet strangely, I couldn't muster any anger. Last time, when Jenny threw Lilys photo in the trash, I slapped her. That night, Ian's men "accidentally" injured my arm, putting me in the hospital for two weeks. I had known for a long time that Lily no longer held the same place in his heart. But Lily was young, innocent. She always appeared in my dreams, begging me to give her father another chance.

I sighed, and then Jennys message arrived.

Sister, Im so sorry, Im pregnant. He said the cemetery was too unlucky, bad for me and the baby, so he made an excuse to miss it.

Oh, and do you know when this baby was conceived? It was during the time you went to the temple every year to pray for Lily.

I told him youd be upset, but you know he always likes to force things. The more I resisted, the more intensely he wanted it.

Afraid I wouldnt believe her, she sent a screen recording of hundreds of flirtatious videos on her phone. The last date was January 21st C the same day, three years ago, Lily was diagnosed with her illness. I distinctly remembered Ian abandoning millions in business deals to rush back, crying hysterically outside the operating room, kneeling and begging the doctors to save our daughter. Afterwards, every year on that day, he would clear his schedule to go with me to the temple to pray for Lily. Until Jenny appeared, and I was the only one who went. It turns out that wound in his heart had healed long ago.

I didnt reply. Almost stubbornly, I stood there until the date on my phone changed to the next day. I didn't feel the sadness I expected. I simply touched the serene smile on Lily's tombstone.

"Lily, it's time. Dad isn't coming this year. From now on, you and Mom will go our own way."

2.

That night, I dreamt of Lily crying, throwing herself into my arms, saying she didn't like Daddy and didn't want him anymore. I woke up, choking on my own sobs. In the dead of night, the space beside me remained empty. Only Lilys favorite teddy bear, the one she cherished in life, still carried her scent.

When Lily passed, Ian was inseparable from me. Whenever Id wake from a nightmare, hed be the first to notice, then hed hold me, soothing me with soft words or weeping alongside me. Back then, I thought we would reconcile. I never imagined his philandering would remain unchanged, even after Lily and I had left.

I couldnt fall back asleep. After typing out the divorce papers, word by word, he returned. I handed him the signed agreement, still warm from the printer. He paused for two seconds, then scoffed. So, just because I didnt visit our daughter? Its been years; are you still using these tactics? Isnt it tiresome? He paused again, seemingly realizing something. Besides, Jennys pregnancy makes it difficult for her to move around. Or do you think this child threatens your position, so youre playing hard to get to test me? Dont worry. Once the baby is born, as long as you treat it as your own, no one will challenge your status as Mrs. Blackwood. While Im in a good mood, take the hint. Dont, like before, cry and tear up the agreement, saying you cant live without me, if I actually sign.

I felt no anger at his mockery, nor did I bother to explain that my past actions were forced, a desperate charade. I just looked at him calmly. Do you remember what you promised Lily?

His face stiffened, and beneath his serious demeanor was an undeniable hint of guilt. I will always love her, but the Blackwood family cannot be without an heir. She will understand me. As he finished speaking, his phone rang. He smiled happily as he answered Jennys call. How could such a small baby be making a fuss? Alright, alright, I know you miss me. I just came back to grab some fresh clothes; Ill be right there. His voice was tender. For a fleeting moment, I was transported back to when we were most in love. When he learned I was pregnant, he was just as gentle. He would lie on my belly every day and talk to the baby. When the baby's movements made me uncomfortable, he would sternly tell her not to bother Mommy.

He hung up, then glanced at me. Enjoy your life as a rich wife. Dont cause trouble for Jenny, and your future will be one of comfort and security. Watching him rush away to someone else, aside from a pang of bitterness reserved for Lily, I felt very little emotion left.

I had the cemetery exhume Lilys grave. I took out her urn. Then, I carried the divorce papers to the Blackwood family estate and handed them to Ians father. Back then, besides Lily not wanting me to divorce him, you also said I was the only one who could curb his inherent arrogance. But now I cant do it, and he no longer has Lily in his heart either. Ians father, stroking the agreement, looked at me regretfully. You know he just loves playing games and excitement. Wait a couple more years; hell settle down eventually. You two have so many years of history.

We had been entangled for ten years, from campus to marriage. He once defied his elders in the ancestral hall, staining a marriage contract with his own blood, just to marry me, an unsuitable match, vowing to marry no one else in this life. Just when I had finally softened his familys hearts with my sincerity, he had lost his feelings for me. I smiled and shook my head. No more waiting. I need to start a new life too. He sighed, then retrieved the real divorce agreement, swapped out three years ago, from his safe and handed it to me. The process has been re-approved. Pick up your divorce certificate in three days.

3.

After completing the registration, I returned home. The house had acquired some unfamiliar items. Jenny sat on the sofa. Ian stood beside her, directing the moving company as they cleared things out of Lilys bedroom. He paused when he saw me. "Jenny's pregnancy is unstable; she needs care. I've brought her home. You and the new nanny look after her. After all, you'll be relying on this child in the future." "Lily's room is empty anyway, so I've put some odds and ends in there for storage. The master bedroom, where you sleep, is for Jenny and me. You can clean up the guest room and move in there."

Jenny stood up, stroking her belly, looking shyly at me. "I'm so sorry, big sister. Arthur just cares so much about me and the baby. Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble." "Once I've had the baby, I'll definitely restore Lily's room to its original state."

This wasnt the first time Jenny had tried to provoke me using Lily. Last time, she sent a voice note of them flirting. Jenny said she wanted to give him a child as cute and well-behaved as Lily. So, Ian took her to the children's room, jokingly saying Lily was kind and would surely grant their wish if she heard it. In front of Lily's portrait, Jenny emotionally begged Lily to be reincarnated into her womb and become part of their happy family. By the time I arrived, the entire bedroom was filled with a disgusting odor, and Lilys favorite bedsheets were soiled. I used the most vicious words to curse them, to curse her. And Ian, from beginning to end, acted like a cold psychopath, holding Jenny in his arms, covering her ears, watching my hysteria. The next day, I was sent to a mental hospital for a week under the pretext of being mentally unstable.

Thinking of this, I no longer felt that same anger; only a sense of the ridiculous. I calmly glanced at Ian, who looked at me with the guarded expression of an enemy. "Whatever you want, arrange it however you like. I have no objections." With that, I turned and went back to the master bedroom, pulling out my suitcase to pack.

He watched me toss items into the suitcase, one by one, until half the closet was empty. Ian was somewhat surprised by my obedience and meekness. He tentatively spoke. "Father's birthday banquet is on Friday. I plan to announce this news publicly as a gift. If you have time, whisper a few words to him so he won't be angry when he hears it then."

I didnt speak, merely nodding perfunctorily. Friday was the day I would receive my divorce certificate. Seeing that I still had no reaction, his brows furrowed deeper. "Did you change your tune today? Or do you realize nothing can threaten me, so you're trying a gentle, devoted wife approach?" "Since you're so sensible, make some soup for Jenny. She liked the last one. It'll also be a test to see if you can take good care of her."

During a previous attempt at reconciliation, I had humbled myself to make him soup and deliver meals. But he had fed it, mouth to mouth, to Jenny right in front of me. Since then, I had been so disgusted that I never cooked again. I remained silent for a moment, then pulled out paper and pen, writing down the ingredients, steps, and cooking time, and handed it to him. "I need to clear the room for you first. Have the nanny make it. I'll cook again when I have time."

He looked at the note, a playful smile playing on his lips. He attributed my newfound obedience to my realization that I had lost all my leverage and would no longer cause trouble for him. At the dining table, the nanny served Jenny the soup. But after her first sip, she clutched her stomach, crying out in pain. A few fresh drops of blood stained the floor. Ians face registered an unprecedented panic. He glared at the nanny. "What happened?!" The nannys gaze subtly flickered towards me. Before I could explain, Jenny looked at me with red eyes. "Sister, I know you don't like me, but you're a mother too. Why would you hurt my baby?!"