From Burning Bride to Runaway Wife - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

"It's not what it looks like," Justin blurted, hastily adjusting his wrinkled shirt. "Leah and I just came down for water and... well, we tripped and fell onto the couch."
Leah gasped dramatically, clutching her half-buttoned blouse like some Victorian maiden in distress before scurrying away.
I didn't react. My throat burned, my voice scraping out rough and hollow. "Go ahead," I said flatly. "Don't let me stop you."
I turned to leave, but Justin grabbed my wrist—then froze. His fingers burned against my feverish skin, my body trembling with sickness. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes. But just as fast, he recoiled like I was something vile.
"Are you seriously faking sick to guilt-trip me and Leah?" His voice dripped with annoyance. "Look, I won't cheat on you before the divorce, and when it's over, you'll get whatever payout you want. But until then, cut the theatrics."
With that, he shoved me aside and bolted after Leah. I stumbled back, crashing onto the sofa. For a long moment, I just sat there.
Then, a bitter laugh tore from my lips. Justin… this time, I'm done.
For two days, he ignored me completely, clinging to Leah like a lovesick puppy, rubbing their "romance" in my face. And then, as if he hadn't hit rock bottom yet, he started plotting his eighth suicide attempt.
"Leah," I overheard him whisper, "if I try again, my parents will have to let me marry you. And honestly… if I can't have you, what's the point of living?"
Leah choked back a sob and kissed his cheek, swept up in his melodrama. Justin gazed at her like she was his salvation, stroking her hair like she was something sacred.
By the time they left hand in hand, I was already out the door—but not to follow them. Today was the day I was leaving Hartmere. And before I did, I had one last goodbye to make.
The southern cemetery was silent when I arrived. But as I neared my parents' graves, I froze.
There they were. Justin and Leah. He knelt solemnly before his grandparents' headstones, voice dripping with reverence.
"Grandpa, Grandma," he murmured, "this is Leah. The woman I'm going to spend my life with. Your future granddaughter-in-law. Please watch over her. Keep her safe."
His words were soft. Sincere. Like he actually meant them.
A lead weight settled in my chest. In my last life, Justin never acknowledged me as his wife. Never brought me here. Not once.
"I don't want to disturb their peace," he'd said.
But with Leah? No hesitation. He was proud to claim her. They knelt together, fingers entwined, like this was where they belonged.
I should've walked away. But then—I saw it.
Around Leah's neck. A tiny, familiar charm.
My breath caught.
It was my amulet. The one my parents gave me at the church. The one I'd left on Justin's hospital pillow after his fifth suicide attempt—back when I still thought he was worth saving.
And now it hung from her neck.
I lunged before I could think, reaching for it—but Justin was faster. He yanked Leah behind him, shielding her like I was the threat.
"Lara?" His voice was sharp with disbelief. "Are you insane? You followed us here to attack Leah in broad daylight?"
I was shaking, rage boiling in my chest. "That amulet," I spat, pointing. "It's mine. My parents left it for me. I only put it with you when you were in the hospital. Give it back."
Justin didn't move. Just stood there, unreadable. I tried to push past him, but he might as well have been a damn wall.
Finally, he shoved me back. I hit the ground hard, palms scraping dirt.
With an exasperated sigh, he rolled his eyes like I was the unreasonable one.
"Leah gave me her kidney," he said coldly. "She's still recovering. What's wrong with giving her something for protection?"
He scoffed. "Stop making a scene. I'll wire you money—buy yourself another one. Just quit harassing Leah over nothing."