Chapter 4

Brad gave Nathan a playful kiss.

"Thank you, Daddy!"

But when he turned his head and caught sight of me, he leapt into Nathan's arms in terror.

"Daddy, I'm scared!"

"Make this ugly lady go away!"

I kept my head down and said nothing. Even though I was dying, I couldn't bear to go back to living in the Blackpine Wilderness.

Nathan shouted impatiently.

"Are you deaf?"

"Brad told you to get out, so hurry up and get back to your room."

"And that divorce you promised—don't you dare go back on it."

I nodded, then remembered he wouldn't look at me right now, and spoke up at once.

"All right. I'll find a chance to explain it."

"If you don't trust me, I'll write out a divorce application first."

He nodded. I swallowed the bitterness in my heart, finished writing the application, and turned to leave.

But then I heard Sandra coo sweetly to Nathan.

"Nathan, you don't have to go this far for my sake."

I couldn't tell what Nathan said, but it set Sandra and Brad roaring with laughter.

I hid in my room and buried myself in the warm, soft blankets.

How had Nathan and I come to this?

I met Nathan in college. He fell for me at first sight. Back then, to make me happy, he would bake birthday cakes with his own hands and knit me scarves, and he didn't care if his classmates laughed at him.

The days after our marriage were full of sweetness. Once, on a trip back to his family home, Old Mrs. Gilbert discovered by chance that I was the little girl who had saved Nathan when they were young. She declared then and there that she would be my backing for the rest of her life.

Remembering it, a smile rose to my face before I knew it.

But soon the murmuring of a woman and a man drifted in from the living room.

I froze where I stood, not daring to move. They were the ones who had done wrong, so why was I the one who didn't dare make a sound?

My thoughts drifted to the day my relationship with Nathan turned.

It was a night of thunder and rain. Sandra called me, begging me to hurry to the little grove in the park and save her. I rushed frantically into the pitch-black grove, but there was no Sandra—only a handsome man, about six feet tall. Before I could react, Nathan appeared behind me, his face full of fury as he looked at me.

"When I got that anonymous call, I swore up and down that you'd never betray me."

"But look at what you let me see instead!"

"I really was a fool. I was even willing to keep quiet about how you stole the credit for Sandra saving me when she was young."

"I bet that it was because you loved me too much—and I lost."

I shook my head desperately, but my explanation was too feeble, and the call log was gone.

Nathan was certain I had framed Sandra to cover up my own affair.

The rift between us grew wider and wider. I begged Nathan to go confront Old Mrs. Gilbert with me.

But Sandra breezily said,

"Old Mrs. Gilbert never liked me. She knew all along that I was the one who saved you."

"Yet she still chose to help Arlene Sullivan deceive you. If you go to her now, she's bound to make things hard for me."

It was such a clumsy excuse, one no one could be fooled by—yet Nathan believed it completely.

My thoughts were still drifting when the door was pushed open.

Sandra bashfully handed me an invitation.

"Arlene, thank you for stepping aside and giving up Nathan of your own accord."

"Next month, Nathan and I are holding our wedding by the sea. I hope to have your blessing."

I looked at the glaring red and let my gaze drift out the window.

"I'm sorry. I probably won't be able to come next month."

Nathan gave a cold snort.

"What could you possibly have that would keep you from coming?"

"And here Sandra came all this way to invite you."

"Biting the hand that feeds you, not knowing a good heart when you see one!"

"I think we should just toss you back into the Blackpine Wilderness!"

I trembled with fear and quickly spoke.

"That's not it—I might be dead next month!"

Sandra shot to her feet, furious now too.

"Arlene Sullivan, if you don't want to come, just say so. There's no need for this!"

Nathan gently stroked Sandra's back.

"Don't stoop to her level."

"Someone this rotten to the core would only be a bad influence on our Brad if she came!"

"That's exactly why a person like this can't have children."

Listening to Nathan's words, my chest felt unbearably tight, and I suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Just when I thought Nathan would finally believe me,

I heard his voice, dripping with mockery.

"Not only is your heart black, even your blood is black."

"Do me a favor and put a little more effort into your props next time you buy them."

"If you're going to die, then go die this instant—stop coming around to sicken us!"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Even if I explained, what would it change? Would he believe me?

Sandra, clinging to Nathan's arm, said each word slowly and clearly.

"Arlene Sullivan, no matter what you do, our wedding next month is going ahead as planned!"

With that, Nathan took Sandra's arm and left.

They didn't notice that the blood I was coughing up came faster and faster, until it stained the whole room red.

I watched their retreating figures, wanting to call for help, but no sound would come.

Nathan, are you happy now?

I'm finally dying. No one will ever disturb the happy life of your little family of three again.