Freeing Her at the Cost of My Life

I fought with Quentin so many times because of Taylor. I told him he was crossing the line with her, but he thought I was blowing things out of proportion and that it was all in my head.

The most ridiculous moment was when Ruby was really sick with a high fever. I still hadn't learned how to drive yet, but Quentin left me behind to celebrate Taylor's birthday at her place.

He even left a whole room full of friends and family on our engagement day. He didn't care about the whispers or the stares I was getting from everyone and just bolted out of the hall to look for Taylor.

It was all because of a message from her saying she couldn't live without him and wanted to end it all.

Quentin spoiled Taylor and let her have her way with everything, including calling him her husband. It was all because she was his childhood sweetheart and had a history of suicide attempts.

That was why Anya, Taylor's younger sister, felt comfortable seeing Quentin as her brother-in-law.

That was also why, even though Taylor had no professional experience, Quentin was fine with having her around and even brought her along while handling cases.

I was concerned the other partners might have issues with it, and given the clients' privacy, I kept telling Quentin not to let Taylor get involved at work.

But Taylor thought I was targeting her and kept throwing digs at me before Quentin.

So, when I received her threatening message, I didn't take it seriously—I figured it was just empty threats. I never thought she'd actually mess with my car and try to run me over.

When I saw Taylor speeding toward me in her car, I hit the brakes hard, trying to swerve out of the way, but it was pointless. Just before my car flipped, I heard her triumphant laugh.

She messed up her clothes and gave herself a few cuts. Before Quentin showed up, she made herself look like a scared victim who'd just accidentally caused the crash.

…

After hearing Taylor's response, Quentin pulled her out of his arms, irritation obvious in his eyes.

"Why do you keep bringing her up? She's just some self-righteous woman. Does she really think giving me the silent treatment will make me want to make up with her? No way!"

Even so, he faltered. He pulled out his phone and hesitated before dialing my number.

But Taylor stopped him with a playful tone. "Quent, Sharon's just being childish. She's probably still mad, so don't egg her on!"

Her words seemed to calm Quentin, and his voice shifted from uncertain to determined. "You're right, Sharon's way too narrow-minded. She doesn't even come close to how great you are!"

He gently stroked Taylor's face, his fingers brushing over the scar left by the car accident's flying debris. "That must hurt, huh? Don't worry, Tay. I'll make the person who did this to you pay!"

Quentin was asking her if it hurt, but he never bothered to check on me when I was burned by the raging fire.

I'd already paid the price. I'd been branded as someone who didn't love herself, and I lost Ruby and my life, didn't I?

In the days that followed, Quentin never brought me up again. Instead, he was always by Taylor's side—shopping, watching movies, getting ready for her birthday.

Since I was dead and had no family or friends to speak for me, the court made its final call after deliberating—Quentin's side won.

How ironic that was. Quentin, my boyfriend, was a top lawyer, yet I didn't even have anyone to represent me in court after I died.

Quentin was in great spirits in the days leading up to the judgment.

Logically, this case was another win for his career—something that could boost his future. Emotionally, his involvement meant Taylor wouldn't have to take the fall, which fed right into his need to protect her.

I floated beside Quentin, watching him and Taylor act all lovey-dovey, calling each other husband and wife. But they never crossed that final line, not even at the end.

I couldn't help but feel the irony. Quentin's behavior now was pretty much the same as crossing that final line. I wondered who he was pretending to be so principled for.

He had quietly checked out of our relationship a long time ago.

The night before the judgment was handed down, I saw Quentin actually take the initiative to message me for the first time.

"Sharon, that should be enough for your little show. If you come home now, I'll let you off the hook for the tantrums you've been throwing lately."

His text oozed with condescension, like he was doing me a huge favor by sending it.

He paused for a moment before texting again. "I've got Ruby now, so don't worry. I'm not going to leave you. I just see Tay as a sister."