She had secretly hired a construction crew to sabotage the structure, intending to eliminate her husband’s mistress under the
guise of an accident.
The only actual victim in this entire scheme was me, an innocent bystander who had lost my life in the process.
When the truth came to light, Joel’s hair turned white overnight.
He ran over Priscilla with his car, killing her, and was subsequently institutionalized due to severe mental instability.
His condition was dire. He spent his days clutching a doll, mumbling to himself, “Arie, do you like me? Let’s be together, okay?
“Arie, when will you forgive me? I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me.
“Arie, do you know? The person I love most… has always been you.”
Hearing his endless ramblings, I got sick of it.
Sometimes, I even wondered if he could truly see me. He often stared at the spot where I was, a strange smile lingering on his
face.
I didn’t know whether to pity him or to hate him.
He had ruined my life, and now, he was trapped in madness.
1/2
+15 B
“Joel, some things can never be undone. No amount of regret can change the past,” I muttered.
The following winter, there was a once–in–decade heavy snowfall in Capitalis..
That very day, Joel died.
1 had only left for a short while to accompany Sofia home. When I returned to the hospital, I saw his body covered by a white
sheet.
He had jumped from the building while the nurses were momentarily distracted.
No one had expected it; he had always been quiet and obedient in the ward, showing no signs of suicidal intent.
I moved closer to his lifeless body and noticed a crumpled note in his other hand.
Scrawled in uneven handwriting, it read, “Arie, I’m coming to find you. Wait for me. Let’s go see the snow together…”
At that moment, a memory surfaced–of a summer evening seven years ago.
We had just finished our farewell dinner after graduation when Joel asked me my biggest wish for the future.
Drunk and lightheaded, I blurted out, “I want to watch the snowfall with you–Capitalis‘ first heavy snow.”
