Chapter 4

After I don't know how long, June updated her social media post.

"Love is what's eternal, what can never be replaced."

Just a few words, and I read them over and over.

Below it was July 20th, five years ago, Jeffrey kissing June by the lake.

The caption read: The first day we fell in love.

But that day was also my wedding anniversary with Jeffrey.

My hands wouldn't stop trembling, until my phone buzzed and June sent me a recording.

Millicent's skills are god-awful. She's practically an idiot, not even fit to be a stand-in.

Even if she wears the clothes you like every single time, I still have to picture her as you.

Good girl, hang on a little longer, it'll be over soon.

The endless panting in the audio made the string I'd been forcing myself to hold together snap completely in that one second.

June kept sending messages.

"I crook my finger and he comes rushing to my side without stopping. What do you have to fight me with?"

"If you didn't look a little like me, do you think he'd have ever spared you a glance?"

"Have you ever seen the real one come back and the stand-in still hang around?"

I slumped against the doorframe, drained, and sent her a message.

"A scumbag deserves a dog. May the two of you last forever and stay locked together."

I turned off the phone and started packing my things.

Before I left, I took one last look at the nursery Jeffrey had built with his own hands.

Once, he had wanted so badly for me to have a child. Not only did he fill the nursery balcony with all my favorite flowers, he even came up with dozens of names, saying it was better to be prepared.

But now, this child I'd waited three years for, I didn't want anymore.

On the operating table, the lights shone down on my face, and countless memories flashed before my eyes.

After today, we were completely over.

My room was at the very front, and the moment I opened my eyes I heard a familiar voice.

"Don't go handling something that dangerous next time."

June said with a pout, "It was just peeling an apple. It's all my fault for being so clumsy. From now on, you can peel them for me, okay?"

Through the crack in the door, I could see Jeffrey gently ruffle her hair.

"Okay."

And on June's hand there was only a small spot covered with a Band-Aid.

After the assistant paid the fees, he reported back to Jeffrey.

"Mr. Harding, the hospital staff said they think they saw Mrs. Winfield here too. Should we call and ask?"

This hospital belonged to the Hardings. One question and he'd know the truth.

But Jeffrey glanced at June beside him and refused. "No need. She probably just came to get a wound bandaged."

As he spoke, he picked up his phone and sent me a message.

"June's hurt. I'm taking her home to stay a few days. Remember to clear out those flowers you keep, she's allergic. And make some iron-rich broth for her."

"June's leaving in a few days. Just put up with it, we'll be back to the way we were before soon."

Too bad I'd already booked a flight for tonight. There was no way I was going back.

I looked at the pregnancy test slip and the miscarriage form and gave a bitter laugh. But I could give you a parting gift.

That evening, Jeffrey brought June back to the villa.

The moment the door opened, the air was thick with the scent of flowers, and June covered her mouth and nose in an exaggerated way.

"Jeff, your wife doesn't seem very happy to see me. She knows I'm allergic to pollen, and she still—"

Jeffrey quickly pulled her back outside the door. "Don't worry, I'll have her take the flowers away."

Furious, he searched the whole villa but couldn't find any trace of me, and the call showed the line couldn't be connected.

He had no choice but to keep sending me voice messages.

"Millicent, you've gone too far. I clearly told you June is allergic to pollen, and you deliberately left the flowers here anyway. Get back here right now and move them."

He'd barely finished speaking when the delivery man knocked on the door.

"Hello, are you Mr. Harding? I have a package delivery for you, it needs a signature."