A Heart for a Heart Chapter 08
As I stared at James’ perfect cheeks, I remembered the fantasy that he weaved for me and Stan.
But as it turned out, it was just one humongous spiderweb.
Still, while James didn’t expose Sue’s lies, he wasn’t stupid enough to confess either.
Hence,
the first court session ended in disappointment.
Before the second started, I went to visit Stan’s gravestone, brushing my fingers against the name carved into the
marble.
It was hard to imagine that not long ago, he stood right in front of me, alive and healthy, planning for a trip to the beach during the holidays. We even bought him a float, swimming trunks, and goggles…
But now that the holidays were here, when all the children were playing happily, Stan’s remains were left here, in this cold, harsh place.
I once again remembered how my boy kept yapping as the excitement at the mall reached its peak, and how James was looking at him in confusion, pain, and hesitation.
It felt strange at the time, but that coldness in James’ reaction just didn’t set off any alarm bells.
When Stan got his toy and gave James a hug, telling him he was the world’s best dad, that man was already planning Stan’s death.
The regret of not seeing through him right then and there only left me with a truth more agonizing than when they cut me open.
That was when a large hand put another bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums beside my bouquet.
It was James.
I wasn’t that surprised he showed up-the Frosts really did rule the city.
However, there were tears on his cheeks as he stared at Stan’s gravestone with a pained look and closed his eyes. I’m so sorry, Stan…”
I laughed coolly. “Why didn’t you feel that way when he’s lying on the ground, begging for you to save him?”
He didn’t argue, instead saying, “I know what I did to you and Stan was so terrible that I don’t even deserve to ask for forgiveness…”
“Then leave. You’re not welcome here,” I snapped.
He stayed silent, but I saw the red bracelet on his wrist when he raised his hand to wipe his tears, and screamed hysterically, “Do you even have a heart, James Frost?! Stan spent all his free time working on that bracelet for you, even going days without watching his favorite cartoons!
“He’d stay up when you’re working late, watching from the window so he can welcome you home as soon as you get home.”
“But were you really working late, or just sleeping with Sue or playing with your other son?
“When you’re sick, he’d sneak out because he’s worried about you, peeking in through the door.
“But you can’t even bother to keep up the pretense! You had to make him see your true nature right before he
