Chapter 2
Casper said, "And then, I'll take you out. You haven't really gone anywhere these past few years since you got sick.
"I still remember how you loved to go everywhere when you were a kid.
"You always said you wanted to travel the world when you grew up. When you're better, let's do it together, okay?"
He looked at me, but I stayed silent.
Casper let out a sigh. "Stella is a showgirl. Like I'd ever actually fall for her. But she's really not like the others. I'm just curious when she'll finally cave.
"Don't worry. I promised I'd take care of you, and I always keep my promises."
I nodded, and Casper, finding the whole thing pretty dull, just kept driving quietly.
When we got there, Casper opened the car door and helped me unbuckle my seatbelt.
I followed him into the city hall, and everything went smoothly.
The staff asked the usual questions.
I had autism, so I had trouble expressing myself. I nodded along with Casper.
"If you're sure, sign here. Come back in a month to pick up your divorce certificate," the staff said.
Casper took the receipt with a big smile on his face.
He looked down at his phone and started typing out a message.
He was smiling to himself. It was obvious who he was texting.
Meanwhile, my phone pinged with a new message. [I've already bought the ticket for your return. See you tomorrow.]
I only replied with a simple [Okay.]
That night, I actually dreamed about my childhood for once.
When we were kids, Casper was always super clingy with me.
Back then, he'd say, "Natalie, your eyes are so pretty!"
"Natalie, let's play house, okay? I'll be the prince, and you can be the princess."
"Princesses are supposed to marry princes, you know. When I grow up, I'm gonna marry you."
Back then, I had a huge crush on Casper.
We went to school together, walked home side by side, and even skipped class to see a concert.
Until that day, when I found my parents and little sister covered in blood on the floor.
I stood there, completely numb, like my whole world had gone silent.
The last thing I remember was Casper sobbing, hugging me tight, begging me to go home with him.
He said, "Natalie, my home is your home. Don't be afraid. I'll always be here with you."
After that, I closed myself off from everyone and stopped talking altogether.
Casper's parents, Alfred and Peggy, took me to all sorts of hospitals, both in the country and overseas.
Every doctor said the trauma had triggered my autism.
Alfred and Peggy looked at me, their eyes red from heartbreak.
Peggy said, "Natalie, you're all your parents have left. Promise us you'll stay safe, okay?"
The Ryan and Fowler families had been close for generations, so after my parents died, the Fowlers took me in.
Everyone in the Fowler family treated me so well that my childhood was saved from becoming a tragedy.
Back then, Casper wasn't like this at all.
He always had my back. If anyone talked badly about me, he'd puff up like a scrappy kitten and jump right in to defend me.
He'd quietly sit with me, just watching as I played around with those silly flowers and plants.
He never once said I was wasting my time.
So when he asked if I'd marry him, I nodded without a second thought.
Alfred and Peggy were over the moon, busy getting everything ready for our wedding.
As for me, I was still messing around with those silly flowers and plants.
By then, I was doing a bit better. I could sort of let people know how I felt.
But I still didn't really get what marriage was all about.
The doctor said marriage was just two people staying together, never leaving each other.
I thought if it was with Casper, maybe that was okay after all.
Our wedding was a grand affair. Every VIP and big shot in Ablale was there.
Casper held my hand as we soaked up all the well-wishes from everyone.
That night, he wrapped me in his arms and asked if he could kiss me.
I didn't understand why he wanted to kiss me right then. I was really sleepy.
Whenever Casper wanted a kiss, I always gave in. I had never been able to say no to him.
That night, I curled up on his lap, and he kissed me tenderly.
He promised we'd stay this happy forever.
But just four years later, everything turned upside down.
Casper's parents died, one after the other, and I found myself losing the only people who truly cared about me all over again.
During that time, I locked myself away in the greenhouse.
I only opened the door when Casper came back.
He'd hold me, crying, begging me not to be like this.
After that, the Fowler family business kept booming. Casper came home later and later.
Everyone in Ablale knew Casper's wife was that "useless autistic girl."
So, there was no shortage of women itching to become the next Mrs. Fowler and take over the household.
Casper ignored all of them, except for that one starlet, who was nothing like the rest.
Stella didn't care about Casper's money, and she couldn't be bought or scared off, no matter what he tried.
All she wanted was to stand openly and proudly by Casper's side, without having to hide from anyone.