“Hm?”
“Do you remember what Claire said after our wedding?”
“Which insult?”
He laughed.
“The one about you getting nothing.”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
“And what I said?”
“You said I’d get exactly what I deserved.”
He nodded.
“I was arrogant.”
“Shocking.”
“I thought I meant money.”
I turned toward him.
He looked out across the garden.
“I thought I could calculate everyone’s worth.”
His voice weakened.
“Then you ruined my theory.”
“How?”
“You deserved something I couldn’t buy.”
“What?”
“A life that wasn’t ruled by fear.”
My eyes filled.
Russell continued.
“I hope I gave you at least part of that.”
I took his hand.
“No.”
He looked hurt.
Then I smiled.
“You gave me the chance to build it myself.”
He laughed softly.
“Even better.”
Russell died peacefully twelve days later.
No fake funeral.
No secret coffin.
No hidden escape.
Just sunlight coming through his bedroom window and my hand around his.
Claire and Daniel were there.
So was Margaret.
Even Hayes stood quietly near the door.
Russell opened
his eyes once.
Looked around the room.
Then looked at me.
“Emily.”
