Evelynfeltlikethunderhad struckherears.Her hand,stillclutchingthephone,slowlydroppedasMrs.Sheltonsvoicefadedintosilence.
RealizingEvelynwasntgoingtorespond,Mrs.Sheltonsighedandhungup.
Stevewalkedoutofthebedroom,frowningwhenhesawherfrozeninplace.Whatswrong? Hismomcalled,Evelynsaid,hervoicehollow.Sheturnedtohim,hereyescloudedwithconfusion.Hehaslivercancer.Theysayhedoesnthavemuchtimeleft.
Shereachedout,andStevepulledherintohisarms,hiswarmthgroundingherastheysatonthesofa.Hisvoicewaslow,almosthesitant.Doyouregretit? Doyouregretleavinghim?Doyouregretcomingherewithme? Evelynshookherhead.Ijust…didntexpectlifetobesounpredictable.Steve,sincewehavesometimeoff, willyoucome backtothecountrywithme? Stevedidntanswerrightaway.Whenshethoughthedfallenasleep,shegentlypushedhimawayonlytofindhimstaringatherwithalookofpurebetrayal,likeapuppyabouttobeabandoned.
Sherolledhereyesandruffledhishair.Hesdying,Steve.Dontbejealous.Itsjustonemeeting.Thinkofitasclosingthebookonafailedmarriage.

EvelynreturnedtothecountrywithStevebyherside.
Sheknockedonthehospitaldoor,andMrs.Sheltonsteppedout.Herexpressionwasamixofreliefandbitterness.Ididntthinkyoudcome.
Evelyntightened hergriponSteveshand.Imonlyheretoseehimonce.Afterthis,Iwontcomeback.
Theydbeenmarriedforthreeyears.BeforeshefoundoutabouthisaffairwithStella,hehadntbeenaterriblehusband.Hearingabouthisillnessnow,Evelyncouldnthelpbutfeelapangofsadness.
Thisisyourfault!Mrs.Sheltonburstout,tearsstreamingdownherface.Afteryoulefthim,hestarteddrinkingeveryday.Ifitwerentforthat,hewouldnt bedyinglikethis! Steveopenedhismouthtoargue,but Evelynstoppedhimwitha sharplook.
SheturnedtoMrs.Shelton,hervoicecold.Ivealwaysrespectedyou,Mrs.Shelton,butyoursonschoicesarehisown.Ididntmakehimcheat,andIdidntmakehimdrink.Dontblamemeforhismistakes.

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Withoutwaitingforaresponse,Evelynwalkedintothehospitalroom,Stevetrailingbehindher.
Martinlookedfrail,buthemanagedaweaksmilewhenhesawEvelyn.HeignoredStevecompletely,andturn,grabbedachairandsatdown, pretendingnottocare.
in 45.5% Chapter22 Evelyn…Imsorry,Martinwhispered,hisvoicetrembling.
Ayearhadpassed,andthosewerestilltheonlywordshecouldoffer.Evelyndidntrespond.Hewasdying,andshedidntwanttoupsethim.
ButMartinkepttalking,hiswordsspillingoutinarush.HetoldherhehadntmarriedStella,thathercareerhadbeenruinedaftertheaffairwasexposed.Shedtriedtolatchontootherpowerfulmen,butnoonewantedher.Now,shewasakeptwoman,thelaughingstockoftheirsocialcircle.

Hetalkedabouthisdrinking,hisselfdestruction,andhowithaddestroyedhishealth.Youwereright,Evelyn,hesaid,tearsstreamingdownhisface.Ididthistomyself.
Evelynreachedoutandwipedawayhistears,justasheddoneforhersomanytimesduringtheirmarriage.Youneedtomoveforward,shesaidsoftly.
Martinshookhishead,hisbreathinglabored.Icant,Evelyn.Youllneverforgiveme,willyou? Evelyndidntanswer.Instead,shestoodupandtookSteveshand.Imhappynow,shesaidsimply.
Ivemovedon.Iwontlookbackanymore.
Illkeepmovingforwardtowardafuturewithout you.