Chapter 2

Raquel said, "She didn't mean to hit you yesterday. I apologize for her.

"If you ever need anything, just come to me. And don't let her get to you."

I never got an answer from Joshua. My heart stung, sharp as a bee sting.

But regret wouldn't help now.

I'd lost my health and now had to deal with my own temper.

Even if I regretted it, it couldn't change anything, Joshua.

But I was already dead.

Thanks to the butterfly effect, everything was about to shift. Soon, all the pain and chains I brought would fade away.

All the suffering and burdens I caused would disappear, just like that.

Raquel smiled. "Joshua, I know things aren't easy for you.

"And I know Alice is a good girl. She's just not well right now, so I don't hold it against her."

Joshua let out a sigh of relief, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

He looked at Raquel, grateful. "Thanks for understanding."

After a brief exchange, they started talking about work.

I watched as Joshua's frown slowly faded, and the light in his eyes grew brighter.

He had that spark in his eyes again, just like back in his school days, alive and brimming with energy.

After a while, the two of them left for the office.

Raquel asked, "Are you sure you don't want me to help you take a day off?

"Maybe you should head over to Mount Eielliafor and check on Alice. I'd hate for something else to happen to her."

Joshua's eyes grew tired again, and he said coldly, "No need.

"Mount Eielliafor's a tourist spot now. Seriously, what could even happen?

"She's already hired actors to trick me. If I keep indulging her, who knows what she'll do next?

"Let her mess around however she wants. I'm done caring."

Seeing that look of disgust on Joshua's face, my heart gave a sharp twist.

On New Year's, I made myself a promise. If I did well on the SAT, I'd reward myself with two kittens.

The day before the SAT, Joshua had already brought the kittens into my room.

He reached out, holding back his emotions, and ruffled my hair as he said,

"Alice, as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

But now, Joshua buried his face in his hands, his voice cold as ice.

He said, "I don't want to see her. I don't even know how to face her."

I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

I gently rested my hand on his shoulder, pretending I could still feel him there.

"It doesn't matter, Joshua.

"Soon, I won't be a burden to you anymore."

It might be today or tomorrow.

I was about to die ten years ago, and Joshua would finally get the future he deserved.

When the car stopped in front of the office, Joshua hesitated.

He kept glancing at his phone, his expression growing increasingly restless.

Finally, he called my number.

"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."

Joshua slammed his fist on the steering wheel, then turned to Raquel after a moment. "Sorry."

Raquel shook her head. "Joshua, you're just stressed out.

"If you are really worried, go and take Alice to the company.

"I can explain everything to her."

I sat in the back seat, biting my lip, a dull ache stabbing at my heart.

Compared to Raquel's understanding, I must look like a total mess.

If Joshua had accepted Raquel's confession outside the school gates ten years ago, maybe things wouldn't hurt so much now.

Maybe things wouldn't be this painful now.

After dropping Raquel off, Joshua turned the car around. He was heading straight for Mount Eielliafor.

But just then, a huge crowd suddenly swarmed the entrance, holding up banners.

They read: [Raquel, you knew you were the mistress and still played the homewrecker. You're a disgrace. Get out of the company.

[Raquel, you went after the wife and tore apart a family. Hope you never find peace!]

The crowd closed in on Raquel, hurling rotten eggs and splashing paint all over her.

Even the security guards couldn't hold them back.

Joshua slammed on the brakes, jumped out, and shielded Raquel as he guided her quickly into the office, helping her clean the mess off her clothes.

I stood in the crowd, my heart throbbing with a restless, uneasy pain.

It wasn't until I overheard the crowd whispering as they left that I realized what was really going on.

"Raquel's move was genius! After all that mess, Joshua's gotta be totally disappointed now."

"Alice? That psycho? She's no match for Raquel. She should just go die already."

I froze.

I never would've guessed Raquel had staged the whole thing herself.

She was so cunning, nothing like the innocent facade she showed everyone.

Inside the office, Raquel leaned into Joshua's arms, her eyes red from crying.

She sobbed, "How could Alice do this to me? How am I supposed to show my face at work now?

"Joshua, we are just colleagues. I admit that I like you, but I have never done anything out of line.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

Raquel was sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face, and Joshua had no choice but to console her.

"Raquel, I'll make sure Alice apologizes to you. She's just not well right now," he said softly.

I stood off to the side, shaking my head frantically.

It wasn't me. It was Raquel. She set this up.

But no one could hear me.

I was already dead. After all, the dead couldn't make a sound.

I really couldn't stand Raquel. No matter how things changed, I didn't want Joshua to be together with her.