Took You Long Enough

It felt like my soul got chained to Delia, dragged along behind her.

The second she stepped in, Harlan pounced.

"Well? Did you find William?"

She looked dazed. "No... they said he's dead."

"Dead?!" He flinched like she slapped him, then grabbed her arm. "That's—no. He's just hiding. Probably made it up to mess with you."

Delia frowned. Said nothing.

Harlan slapped on a fake smile.

"Yeah, that's it. Still mad from five years ago. Doesn't wanna help. Maybe we just... drop it? I'll turn myself in..."

She paused. Then nodded. "No. He's hiding. But we're not done. I'll find him—and he's taking the fall."

Harlan's eyes got misty, voice cracking. "Delia, you're so good to me—"

"But," she cut in, hesitation creeping in, "if he's pulling stunts like this, he's pissed. Harlan, this is it. Once he goes down for you, we're done."

I was so stunned, I almost forgot I was dead.

Delia wanted to dump Harlan?

Wild, considering how hard she fought me over him back then.

We were barely a year into marriage when Harlan came crawling back into the country—conveniently assigned to our hospital.

They got cozy fast. Right under my nose.

When I finally called it out, she called me paranoid. Jealous.

And now she's ready to end it?

She didn't see the way Harlan's face tightened.

She looked away, voice dropping. "I need to move on. I gave him money before, but I've only held him back. Honestly... I do feel guilty."

Harlan blinked, caught off guard.

"Delia... you're leaving me?"

"I don't know." Her eyes drifted. Brows pinched. "Ever since I left William's place, I've felt off. Like something's about to go wrong."

She paused. Then steadied.

"But I'll help you. I'm not letting you go to prison. I'm heading out to find him now. Wait here."

She turned and walked off, back straight, full of resolve.

Harlan didn't follow.

But the second she was out of sight, that pitiful look dropped.

His eyes turned sharp. Cold. Poisonous.

And what he muttered through clenched teeth?

My name.