Chapter 3

My eyes were full of anger.

"What are you two doing?"

Alfred came out of the kitchen.

He was wearing an apron, carrying a pot of steaming food.

A man who never cooked, and now he looked like a thoughtful, domestic husband.

"I signed Mavis up for an advanced flower-arranging course. She lives too far away, so from now on she'll be staying here."

"Mavis is allergic to pollen, so don't put any flowers in the house anymore."

My nails dug hard into my palms.

"Alfred, this is your and my marital home. You gave her the ring, and now you're letting her live in our home too. What exactly are you trying to do?"

He took off the apron, his brow furrowing.

"She's only staying temporarily. You'll get the ring back."

He glanced at me, a faint distaste in his tone.

"Did I really ever like you before?"

"Neither gentle nor sweet, and so jealous."

I really wanted to just turn and leave.

But the thought of my mother's pale face in the hospital made my feet feel like lead, rooted to the spot.

All I could tell myself was to endure it, just a little longer.

I gritted my teeth and turned to look at Mavis.

"What else do you want?"

Mavis met my gaze with a smile.

"Your bedroom faces south and has such good light. Could I borrow it for a couple of days?"

Alfred nodded, answering for me.

"Then let her have it."

I forced out a faint smile.

"Fine."

Alfred hadn't expected me to agree so readily. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

And so Mavis got her wish and moved into my bedroom.

I left early the next morning, not wanting to see them.

When I came back in the evening, Mavis and Alfred were fooling around in the living room.

The next second, Mavis's eyes suddenly rolled back and she collapsed heavily to the floor.

Her face flushed red, as if someone were choking her, and she struggled to breathe.

"Help... help me..."

Alfred was startled. He rushed over, shoved me aside, and gathered Mavis into his arms.

"Mavis!"

At the hospital, Mavis slowly opened her eyes.

Her face was streaked with tears as she threw herself into Alfred's arms.

"Alfred, I thought I might never see you again..."

Alfred held her and soothed her for a long time.

After a while, he turned his head and glared at me furiously.

"Mavis had an allergic reaction to pollen. You did this, didn't you?"

I frowned.

"What are you talking about? I wasn't at the villa during the day today."

He looked at me coldly.

"Vanessa, you knew perfectly well that Mavis is allergic to pollen, and you still put lilies under her pillow. Do you have any idea that a severe reaction can kill someone?"

"How can your heart be so vicious?"

Mavis leaned against Alfred's chest and tugged at his sleeve.

"It's all right, it's all right, Alfred. Don't blame Vanessa. Women just get jealous. You've been so good to me, of course she's upset..."

Alfred looked down at her, his voice softening.

"Mavis, she almost took your life just now."

Mavis shook her head gently.

"Alfred, I'm happy just being by your side. As for everything else, I can bear it."

A bitter ache spread through my chest.

"Alfred, you said you'd always trust me."

He cut me off, his tone cold and hard.

"Enough. Shut up."

Then he turned and called in his lawyer.

"Vanessa, my lawyer says that before I lost my memory, I transferred eighty percent of my assets into your name."

"Honestly, now I don't think you deserve it."

His fingers were laced tightly with Mavis's, like a real couple.

"I want those assets back. I'm giving them to Mavis."

I stood there, as if struck by lightning.

Until now, I'd kept comforting myself.

Alfred just wanted to toy with me. The amnesia was an excuse he'd made up.

But now, that little bit of self-deception shattered completely.

I realized with perfect clarity that he no longer loved me. Whether he had amnesia or not, he didn't love me anymore.

He had overturned every promise he'd ever made, and now he was even transferring the money he'd given me to another woman.

All that was left in my heart was a bleak desolation.

In that instant, I made up my mind.

I would not register the marriage with him.

Once my mother's condition stabilized, I would take her and leave this place.

"Whatever you say." My voice was hoarse. "I'm tired. I'm going home."

Mavis suddenly spoke up.

"Alfred, she's leaving without even saying sorry."

Alfred said gently to her,

"How do you want her to apologize?"

Mavis lowered her head, timidly.

"Really? I can? Then... I want her to kneel and grovel to me three times. After all, I almost died."

Alfred didn't hesitate for a moment as he looked at me.

"Kneel and grovel to Mavis, and we'll drop this."