Chapter 2

Everyone stared at the burly man standing before them, his features uncannily similar to Samuel's, and they exchanged looks of disbelief.

Just a second ago, they had been laughing at me, saying I was Janet's replacement, but now it dawned on them—Samuel was no different. He was a stand-in, too.

Charles cradled me in his arms, his eyes filled with worry and tender affection as he gently checked my foot.

I was stunned, staring up at him. "Charles, when did you get back?"

He was Charles Warren, the boy my grandmother had adopted when I was little.

Grandma used to say his background was a little tricky, and even though he was just a few years older than me, she insisted I see him as my uncle.

Samuel couldn't contain himself anymore. He jumped up from the couch, stormed over, and caught my wrist tightly.

He said, stunned, "Lily, are you telling me, after five years, you only loved me because I reminded you of him?"

I yanked my hand free, my voice cold and unwavering. "Samuel, I warned you once—if you ever betrayed me, I'd leave. Well, now that Janet's back, it's time for us to break up."

Samuel raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.

He said, "Lily, are you trying to provoke me? It's not gonna work. You just found some random dude to put on an act, hoping I'd feel threatened. That's hilarious.

"All this effort just to get me back, huh? Alright then, once I've settled the regrets I had as a kid, I'll go back to you."

Charles's grip on my arm tightened, and Samuel saw it, a flash of smug triumph crossing his face.

I just shook my head. "Samuel, I really don't love you anymore. I'll mail you the divorce papers, and I wish you happiness."

I kept it vague and let him stew over my words.

As we left the Watson residence, Samuel's enraged shout echoed after us.

"Lily, how dare you betray me? And what's that supposed to mean—'wish me happiness'? Is that some kind of curse?" Samuel yelled.

I slid calmly into the car. If divorce wasn't an option, then I had to make sure he was gone a month later.

Later in the evening, Charles showed up at my door with some ointment in his hand.

He said, "I brought this back from overseas. It heals the wound quickly and won't leave scars."

He cradled my foot in his hands, eyes steady and sincere—just like those days when I got hurt messing around as a kid, and he would always patch me up.

Almost without thinking, I leaned towards Charles's face, but he suddenly turned away, dodging me.

He jumped to his feet and bolted, like he couldn't get away fast enough.

"Charles, you vanished for six years. How long are you gonna disappear this time?" I blurted out.

He paused, silent for a moment, then finally said, "Lily, don't forget—Grandma's birthday party is in two days. Don't be late."

"You'll be there, right?" I asked, trying to hide the nervous quiver in my voice.

Charles had seemed to deliberately avoid me for the past six years; we had barely crossed paths.

"Yeah," he said.

Even though Charles' reply was short, it somehow sent a rush of warmth straight to my heart.

For the next two days, he was nowhere to be seen during the day, yet came without fail at night to put medicine on my feet, then left without a word.

Even on my grandma's birthday, he drove off early, but on the table, waiting for me, was a plate of my favorite ravioli. He had specially prepared them for me before he left.

With the party already halfway through, Charles was still nowhere to be seen, while Samuel suddenly showed up without warning. I couldn't help feeling nervous and a little let down.

Just then, Charles' assistant, Alan, called me, his tone fraught with urgency.

He said, "Mr. Warren went over to the Watson residence first thing this morning, but now he's vanished—no one knows where he is."

My chest tightened. I couldn't help but recall the murderous look in Samuel's eyes the day I left—the kind that made me feel he was moments away from tearing Charles apart.

I rushed straight up to Samuel. "Where's Charles?"

Samuel gave me a smirk. "No need for such a clumsy excuse if you want to go back to me, right?"

It had only been three days since I last saw Samuel, and his lips were oddly red, almost feverish—he might look healthy, but I could tell he was burning out from within.

I turned to leave, but Samuel reached out and caught hold of me, refusing to let me go.

I glared at him, forcing the words out through clenched teeth. "Samuel, I left on my own and stepped aside for Janet—what more do you want?"

"I want you back with me," Samuel replied, his voice low and stubborn.

Samuel stared at me, his eyes filled with unwavering affection.

Suddenly, my grandma came over to us, her tone gentle and worried. "Lily, I heard you came home with Charles. Has Samuel been giving you a hard time?"