The End of Daylight Is Not Love

My husband, who spoiled me to the core, dressed up as Santa Claus to amuse his female secretary and win her smile.

He tricked my grandma into drinking a sedative and locked her in a car with the heater running. Tragically, she died of poisoning.

I called him again and again, but no one answered.

At the same time, the female secretary's live stream drew thousands of viewers who watched as "Santa Claus" extravagantly gifted her 1,001 presents in a high-profile show of affection.

The next day, he finally messaged me: [Baby, sorry, an urgent project came up and I had to go on a business trip. I can't spend Christmas with you! I've planned tonight's city-wide fireworks show, wishing you and grandma a Merry Christmas!]

I sat with my grandma's ashes all night, staring at the dazzling fireworks outside.

At dawn, I saw the secretary post a nine-photo grid on social media of the two of them watching the northern lights. The caption was: [Every little wish of mine, you always remember. Love you for a thousand years!]

My heart went completely cold. After grandma's burial, I dialed that mysterious number.

"Ms. Natalie, are you sure you've made up your mind to join the national secret experiment? If you join, your identity will be erased and you cannot contact the outside world for five years," someone said.

I calmly and resolutely replied, "I confirm my decision to join!"

——

As night fell, I didn't turn on the lights, curling up on the sofa with grandma's photo.

Josh pushed the door open, humming a cheerful tune. The lights flooded the room and he immediately noticed me on the sofa.

He rushed to my side without even changing his shoes, his face full of concern, "Natalie, why are you sleeping on the sofa without the lights on? What if you catch a cold?"

He spoke while carrying me to the bedroom, wrapping me in blankets and warming my icy hands and feet against his belly, "Why are your hands and feet so cold? Are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the hospital now?"

I stared fixedly at this man before me. The worry and tenderness in his eyes didn't seem fake.

But as he came closer, the strong jasmine scent on him was unmistakable and the hickeys on his neck blatantly mocked me.

Seeing my red-rimmed eyes, he gently stroked my hair and apologized softly, "Natalie, are you upset because I didn't spend Christmas with you and grandma? I'm sorry, it's my fault for not planning better! I promise, I'll spend every holiday with you both from now on!"

He stood up and took two charm bracelets from his bag, presenting them to me like treasures, "I got these charm bracelets during my business trip, despite how busy I was. This longevity charm is for grandma, wishing her a long life. This peace charm is for you, my Natalie, wishing you everlasting health and happiness!"

But my grandma was gone and she'd never have the chance to live a long life again.

"Grandma didn't come over today? Last time, she woke up in the car and went back on her own without telling me. I was worried for a long time! Tomorrow, I'll go with you to visit her and tell her not to do that again!" Hearing him mention grandma, my heart ached again.

That day, I was on a business trip and had asked him to take grandma for a check-up.

One moment, grandma had been as cheerful as a child, calling to tell me she was healthy and that Josh was taking her shopping.

But the next call came from a stranger, informing me that grandma had died of carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping in the car.

I trembled as I dialed Josh's number dozens of times, but no one answered.

The doctor said that grandma not only had excessive carbon monoxide in her system but also traces of sedatives.

I checked the car's dashcam footage and saw Josh buying grandma a drink, coaxing her to take a nap before going to the movies.