He failed to respond to the warning markers.
The boat struck a submerged obstruction in the shallow water and overturned.
Richard reached shore.
Jessica didn’t.
He covered his face.
“I never meant for any of this to happen.”
My voice shook.
“Why didn’t you just take her back?”
Richard finally looked at me.
“I thought if I had a few more minutes with her, she’d change her mind.”
Those few extra minutes had cost Jessica her life.
Richard began offering to help.
He wanted to cover funeral expenses and provide financial support.
“You think money can fix this?” I asked.
“No. That’s not what I’m saying.”
“You tried to buy my wife’s attention. When she refused, you kept pushing. And now you’re offering me money?”
He lowered his eyes.
“You can’t buy your way out of what happened,” I told him. “And you couldn’t buy her either.”
For once, Richard had nothing to say.
