Chapter 2

My face stiffened, and no matter how hard I tried, a bitter feeling welled up inside me.

Julia was the female lead in the story and Samuel's first love. Ten years ago, she chose to leave her hometown with the male lead.

But after the story ended, Julia and the male lead's marriage just kept getting worse. They kept fighting about having kids, and after they sent their adopted kid back, they split up right after.

So Samuel rushed out, saying there was an emergency at work, but he just went to have dinner with her?

I tightened my grip on the stick in my hand and, without thinking, glanced at the dresser next to me.

Inside was a camera, holding all the sweet moments Samuel and I shared, from when we first started dating to our wedding day.

I took out the camera, hesitated for a moment, and then finally opened it to take a look.

Suddenly, I saw a bunch of photos I'd never seen before. Every single one was about Julia.

There were photos of Julia and Samuel holding each other close, lost in their own world, and others where they shared tender, loving glances.

My fingers trembled uncontrollably as I scanned the dates. The pictures started from the moment Julia returned a year ago, with a new one every single week, right up until two days ago.

In the photo from two days ago, Samuel was gently playing with Julia's hair, and on his wrist was the watch I'd given him.

I felt as if I'd been plunged into an ice-cold abyss, and suddenly, the memory of the building collapse from two days ago crashed into my mind.

That day was Samuel's birthday. I was at the mall, searching for the perfect gift for him. Out of nowhere, the shop on the right side of the building suddenly collapsed.

My leg was crushed beneath the falling debris, but I clung tightly to the present I'd picked out for him, forcing myself to crawl out through the rubble, every movement a struggle.

And then I saw Samuel, charging into the wreckage, pulling Julia into his arms.

His face was tense and cold as he ordered Parker, "Notify the rescue team to handle the other injured. I'll take care of all the medical expenses. I'm taking Julia to the hospital first."

After giving his instructions, Samuel scooped Julia into his arms and carried her to the car. He didn't notice me at all, not even for a second.

It was Parker who finally spotted me trapped under the slab. He went pale with shock, panicked, and called for help to get me out. When he saw me covered in blood, he freaked out even more and tried to call Samuel right away.

My mind was completely blank. The pain in my leg was sharp, but the ache in my heart hurt even more.

"Don't tell him I'm hurt. Just take me to the hospital," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

My leg was shattered and pinned with metal. I was bedridden in agony. When the drugs wore off, the pain knocked me out. Parker panicked, rang Samuel, but never said it happened at the mall, only that I was hurt.

We were both in the same hospital, but Samuel stayed by Julia's side the whole time and never once bothered to check on me.

I clutched the camera, tears welling up in my eyes, and let out a bitter, broken laugh.

No wonder Parker was walking on eggshells around me this morning.

No wonder I kept having these memory lapses. Samuel's feelings for me had soured long ago.

But I'd been running from the truth all this time, and it wasn't until now that I finally saw everything for what it was.

It felt like knives were tearing through my body, and my soul was being dragged out of me. But I didn't call for a doctor.

I knew this was the punishment I brought on myself for refusing to let go.

I kept scrolling through the photos on the camera, again and again, until the last ray of sunlight disappeared from the room.

I closed my eyes, and tears rolled down my cheeks.

"System, I lost the bet. Take me home," I said quietly.

Soon, that cold, familiar voice of the system came back to me.

"Three days from now, when your body dies, I'll take you home," it replied.

Tonight, I didn't wait up for Samuel like I always did. I just turned off the lights and went to sleep early.

The engine noise sounded even louder in the dead of night, waking me up.

Samuel got into bed, his body still chilly from outside, and stretched out his arm to pull me close.

Samuel said, "Why weren't you waiting for me in the living room tonight? You even turned off the lights. Are you throwing a little tantrum?"

I buried my face in the blanket and replied casually, "I'm just tired today."

Samuel said, "I was going to take you out for dinner at Maple Leaf Restaurant this afternoon, but something urgent came up at work and I couldn't get away. How about we go tomorrow instead?

"Tomorrow, as soon as the Cartier watch goes on sale at the mall, I'll get it for you.

"It's the only one in town. I know you'll love it!"

Samuel rested his chin on top of my head and gently stroked my back. "Come on. Don't be upset."

As I recalled the photos on the camera and what David had said, my heart was a mess. I just gave in and said, "Okay."

I was about to leave for good, and his lies and promises meant nothing to me now.