Tangled in his Obsession novel Chapter 87

During Balch's hospital days, the media had been buzzing non-stop. It was only when he was discharged that things started to cool down a bit.

However, on the day Balch was discharged, there was still a circus at the hospital entrance between the security guards and the journalists.

In the end, Balch managed to sneak out of the hospital through a secret passage, unnoticed by the horde of reporters.

Back at Urban Oasis, as he pulled up to his house, he saw Seraphina sitting on the doorstep.

It turned out she didn't come to pick him up from the hospital; she was waiting for him at home.

Balch couldn't help but smirk as he got out of the car and helped Seraphina up. "Why aren't you inside?"

"I've already moved my stuff out," Seraphina replied. "I don't live here anymore; it didn't feel right to go in."

Hearing this, Balch let out a chuckle. "Since when did you become so sensitive?"

Seraphina shot him a glance and said, "When it comes to certain men, it's better to be sensitive."

"Everything you asked for, it's all been arranged," Balch said.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a few large moving trucks pulled up.

"What's this for?" Seraphina asked.

"Didn't we agree to move?" Balch replied.

Seraphina couldn't help but laugh at his response; she was obviously playing dumb. "I didn't say we had to move today. You just got discharged; I'm supposed to be taking care of you."

Balch nodded. "So, you're in charge of the move today. You decide what stays and what goes."

Balch had a mountain of work piled up during his hospital stay, so he left the moving to Seraphina. She took charge and only left the essentials and Balch's personal items; the rest was handled by the moving company.

In just half a day, Seraphina had pretty much sorted everything out.

Only then did she knock on the door of Balch's study.

"How's it going?" Balch asked, looking up from his files.

"I've sorted out most of it," Seraphina replied, crossing her arms. "Only two rooms left."

Without a doubt, these two rooms were the ones he always kept locked. One was Janetta's study; the other was something Seraphina had never seen before.

Balch was silent for a moment before nodding and standing up. "I've thought about it."

He walked to the door and led Seraphina to the two rooms.

The door to Janetta's study was open, the furniture still in its original place, untouched.

"Whatever you did with the furniture downstairs, do the same here," Balch said.

Then he led Seraphina to the door of the last room, entered the code, and opened the door.

Seraphina stood behind him, peering over his shoulder into the room.

The room was filled with stuff: boxes, chairs, clothes, daily items, and Janetta's portrait that she had seen in the living room.

Balch turned to look at Seraphina and asked, "Want to come in?"

Seraphina slowly entered the room, glanced around at the items, and then turned to Balch and asked, "Are these all your wife's belongings?"

"Yes," Balch replied, leaning against the door frame, "I had someone pack and store them. Tomorrow, I'll take them to the cemetery; leave some for her."

Seraphina looked at him, a little surprised. "You're going to burn them?"

Balch nodded, then asked, "Are you okay with this?"

Seraphina stood there silently.

She had let him handle everything, and he had chosen to cut ties with the past so drastically. It showed that he was really ready to start a new life.

Balch walked over to her and looked down at her. "What's wrong?"

Seraphina immediately hugged him.

Balch wrapped his arm around her waist and softly chuckled.

"You don't have to be so thorough," Seraphina said. "What if you miss her one day? Keep something."

"No need," Balch said after a moment of silence. "Keeping them won't mean anything. She’ll understand."

After a while, Seraphina finally nodded, "Okay. So, should I come with you tomorrow?"

"Okay."

That night, Balch moved into a hotel. Considering his situation, Seraphina decided to avoid any misunderstandings and went back to her own place.

The next morning, Balch came to pick her up, and they went to Janetta's grave together.

By the time they arrived, the moving company staff were already moving Janetta's belongings to the incinerator, box by box.

Balch first took Seraphina to pay their respects to Janetta.

Seraphina had bought a bunch of lilies on the way, which she laid in front of Janetta's tombstone.

The woman on the tombstone looked gentle and elegant, her smile peaceful.

"Mrs. Lawson, from today on, I'll take good care of Balch for you. I won't say much more; I hope you can rest in peace," Seraphina said.

Balch squeezed her hand, looking at the woman on the tombstone, silent.