Chapter 5
The typhoon battered the windows violently.
My scattered senses gradually returned.
I slowly stepped into the bathroom.
Turning on the shower, I let the water wash away every last trace of him.
Time seemed to lose all meaning.
When I returned to the room, a bouquet had appeared on the table.
Vibrant red roses stood in the vase, flaunting their beauty.
Stems lay scattered to the side, a pair of pruning shears hidden among them.
The lock on my bedroom door had long been removed.
Anyone could walk in and out as they pleased.
But now, I can finally enjoy this night, the last time I'd be in control of myself.
The bathtub filled with steaming water, and I sank into it slowly.
The warm current carried my senses away.
For the first time, I felt a sense of relief.
Blurred figures appeared. I saw my parents waving at me.
This time, I reached out to them.
Suddenly, a woman's shrill voice pierced through.
"Mrs. Collins! Mrs. Collins!"
"Willa!"
"Wish Girl! Willa!"
My eyes flew open.
The steam clouded my vision as my senses gradually returned.
A searing pain from the gash on my hand reminded me. I was still alive.
Downstairs, Emily was shoving a young girl toward the door.
The girl, around seventeen or eighteen, drenched to the bone from the rain, trembled violently yet held a stubborn glint in her eyes.
She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Mrs. Collins! I need to talk to you! Please, just give me one chance!"
Maybe it was because I hadn't seen an outsider in so long, or maybe the night just felt endless.
Or maybe... I just wanted to hear her say my name once more.
Whatever the reason, she had piqued my curiosity.
"Emily, fetch a glass of water," I said.
Emily froze, then reluctantly let go.
The girl wrapped the blanket tightly around herself, sobbing uncontrollably.
"M-my name is Scarlett. I've been with Mr. Collins for years.
"I came to beg you. Please, could you talk to him? Please don't cast me aside.
"I promise I'll be good. I ask for nothing... just let me stay with him for life."
Emily looked at me, searching for even a flicker of anger.
I couldn't be bothered.
I pointed at the flowers swaying violently in the storm outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
I spoke more sternly, "Emily, move those roses to the greenhouse."
Emily's expression shifted repeatedly before she finally retreated outside the door.
Scarlett, seemingly startled by my coldness, shrank back.
Her timid glances darted toward me, but she still managed to summon her courage.
After a pause, she pleaded, "Mrs. Collins, I truly love James! I'm willing to be his mistress, as long as I can stay with him. Please, do me this kindness!"
I just watched her youthful face, reminded of how love had once blinded my younger self, too.
My thoughts drifted back to my eighteenth birthday.
My parents asked what wish I'd made.
I said, "I hope the marriage with the Collins family won't be called off."
Back then, I was so infatuated. I was blinded by love and even chose an arranged marriage to get closer to him.
What an utter fool.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Scarlett froze, her voice trembling as she blurted out, "He's obsessed with me in bed! We've slept together countless times!"
I ran my fingers over the bangle on my wrist, its coolness seeping into my skin.
Scarlett clenched her fists, psyching herself up. "Mrs. Collins, I know your marriage was arranged. You don't love each other. He's never even slept with you, has he?
"But I'm willing to be his mistress and satisfy his needs. I'm helping you fulfill your duties as a wife.
"You want his family status, but I love him."
I listened intently, but couldn't help bursting into laughter.
The laughter grew louder, shaking my entire body.
My nightgown slipped off my shoulder, revealing the unmistakable marks James had left on my skin.
Scarlett's eyes flew wide open. "You two..."
She clenched her fists, refusing to believe what she was seeing.
"No! That can't be!" she screamed hysterically. "James loves having sex with me. He loves me!"
We locked eyes across the flickering candlelight—our features, eerily similar.
After a long, stunned silence, she finally understood. "No wonder he always made me keep the lights on. He didn't want my body... He wanted a face like yours.
"So, he's leaving me because he finally has you?
"You're the original, and I'm just a shoddy copy. To James, I was never more than your stand-in!
"He never loved me!"
Covering her face, she sobbed hysterically, "Willa, why? Why?
"Your parents adore you with all their hearts, and even James loves you!
"Why are you so lucky? You get everyone's love without even trying!"
Jealousy and resentment flashed in her eyes, but vanished in an instant.
"Willa, can you spare me just a little luck?" Scarlett forced a smile, as if accepting everything.
"Do you know me?" I asked.