Chapter 79 The Last Couple's Suite
In the mountains, darkness fell faster than in the city. By the time Juniper reached the top of Sherlock Valley and the chapel there, it was already 7 o'clock in the evening. The sky above the mountain peak gradually dimmed.
Juniper kneeled on the cushion before the cross, her hands pressed together in earnest prayer. She wished for Jennifer to grow up safe and happy, for Magnus to let go of his past resentments and start anew, and for her mother, Lyra, to enjoy a healthy and comfortable old age. She made just these three wishes—about Jennifer, Magnus, and Lyra—and distinctly forgot to include herself.
She kneeled there, praying for a long time.
The priest approached her and said, "I see you've been sitting here for quite some time."
Juniper didn't particularly believe in all this but thought that maybe, as a person is nearing the end, God might see her pity and fulfill the desires of her heart.
He smiled kindly and said, "You carry a look of sorrow, wrapped up in fixation. Sometimes it's best to let go a little. Too many worries can make a person unhappy."
"Thank you for your guidance."
"You should try to let go some."
Juniper murmured softly, "Okay."
With a faint smile, Juniper admitted, "But I am a fool, and a layman at heart. I cannot cast aside my desires. All of this, they are seeds I've sown, and I am willing to bear the bitter fruit."
The priest wanted to offer further counsel, but Juniper was ready to leave. "Thank you for your guidance today. However difficult the road ahead may be, it's the path I've chosen, and whatever comes, I deserve it," she said. And with that, Juniper turned and left the chapel.
The priest watched her slender figure depart with a heavy sigh.
It seemed that the girl who had just left could not escape her fate. Yet, he thought, as consequences follow a cycle, someone with her kind face would surely turn misfortune into blessings.
The way down the mountain was harder than the ascent. Night trails were even more challenging than during the day. Juniper sometimes wondered why she kept making foolish mistakes, adding error upon error until nothing could be redeemed.
But the priest didn't know that it was because of such mistakes six years ago that she ended up in her current plight. She wanted to save her mother and Magnus as well. To choose her mother was right, and to choose Magnus was also right. Yet, to choose her mother was wrong, and to choose Magnus was wrong too.
Juniper sat on the steps halfway down the mountain, gazing toward Silver Lake at the foot of the mountain. At night, Silver Lake was like a clean mirror. Occasionally, the wind would stir the lake, rippling it as if it were a shattered mirror. But even as the surface broke apart under the wind, after it calmed, it would remain whole and unblemished.
But she wasn't the breeze, and Magnus wasn't the water.
Once you plant the cause, you must taste the bitter fruit yourself.
In the middle of the night, the mountain air was damp, and a light drizzle began to fall.
Juniper sat by Silver Lake, sitting there for nearly two hours.
It was as if something in Silver Lake was calling to her.
She stood up and slowly walked into Silver Lake.
The shallow water grew deeper, rising from her calves to her knees.
She thought she saw Jennifer laughing and calling her mom in the center of the lake.
She wanted to go over and hug Jennifer.
She missed her terribly.
Juniper walked further into the water, deeper still.
Until the depth of the water submerged her thighs.
Suddenly, a familiar male voice sounded behind her: "Juniper!"
She snapped back to reality.
She turned to look at the source of the voice.
Magnus stood tall and distinguished in the misty rain of the night.
His Adam's apple bobbed, breath slightly labored, his dark eyes flashing with urgency.
But Juniper couldn't see clearly.
His black shirt was soaked with rainwater, blending with the deep color of the night.
Juniper just stood there in the water, stunned, until Magnus strode towards her.
It was only when he arrived in front of her that she saw him clearly.
Their eyes met.
Juniper remained silent, just calmly looking at him.
Magnus's gaze was heavy, filled with gravity as he asked, "Why are you here alone?"
"I was walking around and lost track of time. I didn't realize the tour bus had left."
"Why are you standing in the water?"
"Because it's hot, you know, I've always liked to be cool."
Juniper replied calmly, a calm that seemed to come from deep within.
Magnus fixed his eyes on her as if trying to read something from the depths of hers.
But after a long while, neither spoke.
The corners of Magnus's eyes were faintly red.
He suddenly gripped Juniper's hand tightly and pulled her with him, taking long strides to the shore.
On the shore, both were wet.
Magnus looked at her and said word by word, "I promise, from now on, I'll let you see Jennifer every week."
This was his last concession and compromise.
Juniper's eyelashes quivered.
In an instant, a torrential downpour began in the mountains.
Magnus's car, which had just reached the base of the mountain, was blocked by floods.
The radio in the car was playing.
"At 23:26 tonight, a severe storm hit Sherlock Valley district. Sherlock Valley tunnel is closed. If you need to pass, please find an alternative route..."
To get back to the city center from here, passing through the Sherlock Valley Tunnel was unavoidable.
Magnus put the car in reverse, "We can't go back. Let's find a motel to stay in tonight."
But in this remote area, motels were scarcely found.
There were, however, two small inns.
They tried the first one but, due to the heavy rainstorm that evening, it was fully booked.
So they headed to the second one.
The innkeeper eyed them both and said, "You're a couple, aren't you? We have just one room left. Do you want it?"
Juniper clarified, "No, we're not a couple."
"A pair of lovers is fine too, staying or not?" The innkeeper was getting impatient.
Magnus answered simply, "Staying."
After paying, the innkeeper handed Magnus the room key.
She then asked, "We don't provide condoms here, but we sell them at the front desk for two dollars each. Do you want to buy a couple?"
She gave Magnus a look-over.
Handsome guy with such a prominent nose — he probably has stamina.
"Do you want to buy two?"
Magnus shot the innkeeper a cold glance and tersely replied, "Not necessary."
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