“Why would she choose him?”
I slowly sat back down.
My ears burned.
I couldn’t look at anyone.
For eighteen years, Lily had been my entire world.
And on the day I thought she would honor everything we had survived together…
she walked past me.
For the janitor.
I tried to smile.
Tried to pretend I understood.
But inside, something was breaking.
I started replaying every argument we had ever had.
Had I been too strict?
Too controlling?
Had she secretly resented me?
Was this punishment for something?
The woman beside me leaned over.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
My voice sounded strange.
“She probably has a reason.”
I hoped I sounded convincing.
I didn’t believe it myself.
Lily and the custodian reached the stage.
But instead of climbing the stairs, the old man stopped.
He said something to the principal.
The principal frowned.
Then looked directly toward me.
My pulse quickened.
The custodian reached inside his jacket.
He pulled out an envelope.
Not a fresh one.
An old envelope.
