The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 581

She reached out, expertly spinning the combination lock, her underwater movements slightly sluggish against the resistance.

With a soft click, the locker door sprang open. She retrieved a fountain pen, waving it once in the murky water before tucking it safely into the waterproof pouch at her waist.

The footage cut to the surface.

The girl broke the surface. As the camera transitioned from underwater to the open air, the lens overexposed for a few blinding seconds before snapping back into focus.

Rosemary's face filled the screen. It was a younger Rosemary—makeup flawless, hair pulled back into a severe, immaculate chignon—standing at the edge of the boat, staring anxiously at the water.

The girl pulled off her respirator and held up the pen, a radiant smile breaking across her dripping wet face.

"Mom, I got it for you!"

Rosemary’s face lit up. She snatched the pen, her fingers repeatedly tracing its barrel with a bright, satisfied smile. Yet, her eyes never once left the object; she didn't so much as glance at the girl.

The girl didn’t seem to notice or care. She just laughed as she peeled off her wetsuit, haphazardly pushing her soaked, heavy hair behind her ears.

The final frame froze on her: wetsuit half-off, shaking out her wet hair, smiling right at the camera.

She was so young, so stunning. Every inch of her practically vibrated with vibrant life and energy. She looked like a sunflower soaked in daylight, every petal practically glowing...

*

Sloane Taylor furrowed her brow slightly. Her gaze shifted from the now-dark computer screen to Garrison Foster’s pale profile.

"This was... during the second year of our marriage, right? I remember Archie was about eight months old."

She searched her memory, a faint, lingering smile playing on her lips from seeing her younger self. "But why is this the big secret you've kept buried all these years?"