Chapter 13 A family was having a picnic a father lifting his child in the air with laughter , while a heavily bundled mother arranged plates on their blanket .
Such happiness , Issac thought , If Sophia had lived , if he and Evelyn had stayed together , their child would be about that age now .
A large lake dominated the park .
Since Evelyns death , Issac had avoided water , but today he felt inexplicably drawn to it .
The wind rippled the surface , the overlapping waves threatening to pull him in .
Hey ! What are you doing ? A concerned voice called from behind .
Issac turned to find a face he never expected to see again .
Stepping back , he realized hed been leaning dangerously far over the railing.
No wonder Lucas thought he was contemplating suicide .
They stood in tense silence until the little girl in Lucass arms tilted her head curiously .
Mister , what are you doing ? Im … Issacs voice caught , unpracticed .
Just looking at the view .
Stand back from the edge .
The waters very cold .
The little girl was remarkably perceptive .
Lucas remained silent this was their first encounter since hed beaten Issac after Evelyns apparent death three years ago .
What a coincidence .
Lucass smile was ice cold .
Its been a while , Mr.
Hernandez .
Indeed it has .
Issac felt disconnected from his body as he noticed Lucass clenched fist and the childs innocent face .
Youre married now ? Congratulations .
Hes my uncle , not my dad , the girl giggled .
Everyone says we look alike .
Do you think so too , mister ? Thats enough , sweetheart , Lucas cut in sharply , clearly wanting to end the interaction .
Dont talk to strangers .
The girl stuck out her tongue at Issac before waving goodbye from Lucass shoulder .
Issac found himself Its Too Late for Your Expired Regrets 8.9 % Chapter 13 waving back reflexively , So Lucas was back .
After Evelyns death , hed resigned from the hospital and moved to another state .
Issac never expected to see him again .
As a doctor , Lucas hadnt been a physical match for Issac .
But three years ago , it wasnt really a fight Lucas had simply pinned him down and kept hitting him , knocking out a tooth while Issac offered no resistance .
Sometimes when his tongue found that missing molar , his jaw and head would throb with phantom pain .
His body was permanently incomplete , just like his life without Evelyn .
A pain impossible to forget .
But seeing Lucas with another woman and child surprised him .
Hed assumed Lucas , like himself , would never love again .
Yet it made sense .
Issac alone had chosen to be the living widower at an empty grave .
Everything was the consequence of his own cruelty .
If he hadnt tormented Evelyn so relentlessly , she would never have sought death in those cold waters .
Shed always been sensitive to cold traveling so far from the warm south to study here , shivering even in thick scarves and down jackets , like a bird fighting its instinct to seek warmth .
Issac knew shed stayed for him .
This realization only highlighted his extreme coldness and cruelty .
As Sophias friend , Evelyn had grieved no less than anyone else .
Yet his family had driven away this heartbroken bird seeking rest , with sharp spears of blame .
Issac could forgive neither his family nor himself .
When Lucas carried Eva back to the car , he found the heater running high .
Evelyn had fallen asleep in the back seat .
He gestured for Eva to be quiet , and the little girl obediently covered her mouth .
The car door still woke her .
Evelyn rubbed her eyes , voice fuzzy with sleep .
How did it go ? Any trouble ? Let me hold Eva .
Nothing , Lucas hated himself for interfering if hed known it was Issac by the water , he would have ignored it completely .
Just someone fishing .

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Eva snuggled into Evelyns arms , looking up sweetly .
Mommy , thank you for taking me out today .
9.1 % Chapter 13 Youre welcome , sweetie .
Evelyn smiled , kissing her rosy cheek .
Did you thank your uncle ? Uncle wanted to come out more than I did ! Eva pouted before turning sweet again .
Mommy , when you go back , I wont see you for days .
What if I miss you ? Not this time .
I came back so Eva can see Mommy every day .
Three years ago, Evelyn had nearly died underwater .
Lucas had risked his own life to save her .
Her cancer had been critical without Lucas , she wouldnt have survived .
After three years of recovery , she was finally strong enough for surgery .
Southern hospitals had deemed it too risky .
Bringing Evelyn back to the city was their last resort .
Lucas had carefully staged her death , and seeing Issac just now had made him break into a cold sweat .
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