He Bought Her a Car, I Ruined Him

Chapter 4

Sophie picked up the gum and followed me toward the register.

When she saw me heading for the side exit, she stopped near the register and looked at me in confusion.

"Why aren't you going out the front to meet your husband? Are you waiting for him to drive over and pick you up?"

I stopped, turned, and shook my head.

"I'm not waiting anymore."

I reached deep into my canvas bag and pulled out a scented knotted car charm carefully woven from red cord.

I had spent three sleepless nights making it for the new car.

I walked back and held the charm out to Sophie.

"We may have just met, but I'd like you to have this. I invented the knot myself. It's called a locked twin-loop knot, and you won't find one in any store. I put a calming botanical blend inside. Hang it in the car, and it'll freshen the air and help you relax on the road."

Sophie's eyes widened with delight, and she eagerly took the charm.

"It smells amazing. There's a soft, woody fragrance. Thank you! You're so talented. It's beautiful."

She thanked me again and again, then hurried through the front door toward the gas pumps, clutching the charm in her hand.

From behind the window, I watched her open the Audi's passenger door and climb inside.

Then I took out my phone, removed the SIM card I had used for five years, snapped it in half, and dropped both pieces into the trash beside the register.

I left through the side door and walked toward the bus stop beside the highway without looking back.

*****

Inside the Audi, Sophie fastened her seat belt and eagerly held the car charm out to Grant.

"Honey, look what I got! This poor woman in the store gave me this handmade charm. She said the knot was her own design, something called a locked twin-loop knot. It smells wonderful."

Grant was busy replying to messages in his work chat. Without looking up, he waved her away impatiently.

"Why would you take something from a stranger? It's probably filthy. Throw it out before it gets the new car dirty."

Sophie pouted.

"But it smells amazing. Just smell it."

Ignoring his objection, she held the charm under his nose.

The moment Grant caught the familiar scent, his entire body went rigid.

Whenever one of Grant's migraines struck, I would diffuse a custom aromatherapy blend to ease the pain. No one else knew the recipe.

Grant's head snapped up, and he stared at the red charm.

The intricate crossed loops were unmistakable. It was my signature locked twin-loop knot.

The blood drained from Grant's face.

"This charm..." he whispered, his voice trembling with panic.

A second later, he snatched the charm from Sophie, then clamped his free hand around her wrist until her face twisted in pain. His eyes were wild as he screamed, "Where is the woman who gave you this?"