Chapter 2 - The Weight of Platinum
Back at the scene, the flashing lights of the fire trucks illuminated the night sky.
Alex stood completely frozen on the cracked pavement.
The simple platinum wedding ring felt like a burning lump of coal in his gloved palm.
He stared at the empty intersection where the ambulance had just disappeared.
His heart pounded wildly against his ribs.
Valerie tugged gently at his suit sleeve, whimpering softly.
"Alex, honey, I’m so scared," she cooed, pressing her tear-streaked face against his shoulder.
He didn't move to comfort her.
For the first time in months, her sweet, helpless voice didn't make him feel like a hero.
It made him feel sick to his stomach.
"Lucy was in there," he whispered, his voice cracking with sudden realization.
Valerie’s eyes widened in perfectly feigned innocence.
"What?"
"I didn't know she was in the building," Valerie lied smoothly.
Mark, the rookie firefighter, stepped closer with a look of absolute disgust on his face.
"She was curled up in the back corner of the elevator cab," Mark said coldly.
"Right behind the woman you were so desperate to pull out first."
Alex felt the color drain completely from his face.
"No," Alex gasped, taking a step back.
"I didn't see her."
"I swear to God, it was dark, and there was smoke everywhere!"
"She called your name," Mark stated flatly, crossing his arms over his heavy turnout coat.
"She called your name twice, but you were too busy carrying this one to safety."
Alex looked down at his hand, his thumb tracing the familiar engraving inside the platinum band.
Forever Yours, A & L.
He had given this to her five years ago on a sunny beach in Malibu.
"Where did they take her?" Alex demanded, panic finally overriding his shock.
"Which hospital did that ambulance go to?"
Mark just stared at him with cold, unforgiving eyes.
"City General."
"But if I were you, buddy, I wouldn't rush over there."
"Why not?" Alex snapped defensively.
"Because she explicitly asked us to leave you behind," Mark replied.
"She said to tell the driver to go."
Alex felt a heavy stone drop to the bottom of his stomach.
He looked at Valerie, who was still clutching his arm like a dependent child.
Suddenly, her clinging hands felt like suffocating chains.
He pulled his arm away forcefully.
"Alex?" Valerie gasped, looking genuinely shocked.
"I have to go to my wife," he said, turning toward his parked car.
"But I need you!" Valerie cried out, tears welling up in her eyes again.
"My wife is pregnant, Valerie," Alex shouted, the reality of his actions finally hitting him.
He sprinted toward his car, leaving his mistress standing alone on the sidewalk.
May you like
But deep down, he knew the terrible truth.
He was already too late.
