Burn My Love to a Crisp

Stanley held a storybook and read softly to Hannah until she finally fell asleep.

Sabrina moved closer. The space between them grew smaller until their lips were almost touching.

Stanley turned his head away. "Don't do this."

Sabrina draped herself over him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Do you think I'm beneath you because I'm divorced and have a child? Is that it?"

"No," Stanley denied. "I'm already married."

"But you should have been mine." Sabrina's tone was filled with absolute certainty.

She looked at him intently, and their gazes locked.

"Stanley, don't deny it. You've fallen for me. Even though you've known Jaycee for years, you've still fallen for me. You're just used to Jaycee. It's not love.

"You love me, Stanley," she said with conviction.

Stanley averted his gaze. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Don't think about this. Rest for now."

He stood up and left, almost as if fleeing the room.

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

I was the first to notice Stanley's growing feelings for Sabrina.

The first time I met Sabrina was the day I tried to end my life. It was the anniversary of my parents' death.

In the past, Stanley would always be with me on that day, trying to cheer me up and make me smile. But that day, he didn't come back.

I called him countless times, but he didn't answer.

I went to my parents' graves alone. In my dazed state, I thought they had come to take me away.

Without hesitation, I slit my wrists.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital and saw Stanley there. He was embracing Sabrina with one arm, and his profile was filled with tenderness.

I rushed forward to grab him. "Who is she, Stanley? What's your relationship with her?"

"What's wrong with you, honey?" His voice became urgent when he saw the cuts on my wrist.

I asked again, "Who is she?"

While looking at my injuries, Stanley explained, "She's a classmate of mine. She fainted, and I brought her to the hospital. Don't misunderstand."

But Sabrina's hostility was clear. I saw it immediately.

I asked, "Do you remember what day it is?"

Stanley paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered. He quickly hugged me and apologized over and over again.

The once cold embrace now carried the scent of perfume, which felt sickening to me.

I pushed him away with all my strength, screaming, "My parents raised you! And you don't even remember their death anniversary?"

"I'm sorry. It's my fault. I promise it won't happen again," he said.

I wasn't listening. I continued to shout at him, "You ungrateful turd! You—"

Suddenly, Sabrina stepped in front of Stanley and glared at me. "If it weren't for Stanley, your family would've fallen apart long ago. Your parents' deaths weren't Stanley's fault."

I slapped her as hard as I could. The force left my hand numb.

The slap landed on Stanley's face, leaving a clear mark.

Stanley sighed. As he looked at me, his expression was full of exhaustion and reproach.

He said, "Your stubbornness caused your parents' death. Will you only be satisfied after I die in front of you?"

I stared at Stanley in silence for a long time.

Back then, my relatives tried to take over the Hartman family's business. They slandered me, saying that I caused my parents' deaths.

Stanley had been the one to stand up against them and protect me. Yet now, he said I was the cause of my parents' deaths.

I turned and walked away.

Stanley grew anxious and tried to catch up, but Sabrina stopped him.

This was the first time he had chosen Sabrina over me.

He went home and apologized to me for a long time, and I forgave him.

He promised never to leave me again, but time and time again, he chose Sabrina.

During the fire at the postpartum care center, he rushed in to save Sabrina, completely unaware that I was being engulfed by the flames.

…

The next day, Stanley was woken up by the alarm.

He had probably not slept well. Dark circles were visible under his eyes.

He pressed the alarm off and saw the reminder on it—Father's Day School Activity.

It was an alarm I had set for him, hoping he wouldn't forget the event with Lily.

Stanley sent me a message. "I'll be there on time for Lily's school activity. Let's talk after that."