No Peace in Life or Death

The day before Chris Carter and I were supposed to get engaged, my parents sent me to prison.

Three years later, when I was finally released, Chris was the only one who came to pick me up.

I knew he despised me. I trembled, keeping my head down, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

But he blocked my path, frowning. “Emily York? You stink.”

He pinched his nose and told me to get in the car.

I fell to my knees, desperately begging him not to take me home. If he did, I would die.

He looked at me with chilling indifference and said, “Then go ahead and die.”

I agreed.

But later, he cried and begged me to stay alive.

The day I got out of prison, the sun was shining bright.

A guard gave me a pat on the back and said, “Take care of yourself, start over.”

The pat made me stumble a little, and I barely kept my balance. I picked up my bag and walked out.

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw a tall man leaning against a car, dressed casually. It was Chris Carter, who was handsome and well put-together.

I caught a glimpse of myself in a puddle on the ground. I was wearing an old, worn-out jacket from three years ago. I looked gaunt, my skin pale and sallow, a shadow of the vibrant person I used to be.

My heart clenched, and I tightened my grip on the bag. I lowered my head, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

But as I tried to sneak off, he finished his cigarette, crushed it under his foot, and walked over.

“Emily York?” His voice was deep, with a trace of impatience.

I instinctively took a step back. My whole body was trembling and I was feeling completely out of place.

“You stink!” He covered his nose, his face full of disgust.

I sniffed around, confused. I had showered before leaving, but after spending so much time near the toilet, the smell seemed impossible to wash off.

Seeing that I wasn’t responding, his patience wore thin. He grabbed me by the collar.

“I... can I...”

I started to speak softly, hoping to ask if I could just leave on my own. I could disappear, stay far out of his sight.

But he shoved me into the car before I could finish.

The smell bothered him so much that he rolled down both front windows all the way during the drive.

I huddled in the corner, the wind stinging my eyes. I watched the scenery pass by, everything looking both familiar and strange, a sense of confusion clouding my mind.

Three years had passed.

And now Chris was taking me back home.

But did I even have a home anymore?

......

When my parents opened the door and saw Chris, they greeted him with warm smiles, “Chris, you’re here! Come in! Lily’s been asking about you!”

Chris casually sidestepped my mom’s attempt to pull him