Chapter 2
I gripped the fake certificate tightly and rode my bike straight to his office.
As soon as I started up the stairs, the voices of Edward and his best friend, Peter Lawrence, drifted out through the open door.
"Edward, everyone on the farm knows you're crazy in love with Sophia, but now you've suddenly got married to Lila. Have you completely lost your mind?" Peter said.
Edward replied, his voice raspy and weary, "I once thought that if Sophia came back, I'd never need Lila again. However, ever since Lila left, all I see in my dreams are her eyes brimming with tears.
"I really love Sophia, but Lila has suffered too much. Giving her that marriage wasn't love—it was guilt. I hope this will make her happy."
"You should know what kind of person Sophia is after all these years. If she ever finds out the truth, even your dad won't be able to cover for you," Peter warned.
Edward's voice was gentle, but his words sent a chill down my spine. "She won't find out."
Outside the office, I felt my whole body weak, like my strength just drained away in an instant.
It turned out that I was never the only one—just another trophy in his endless pursuit.
He was the kind of guy who wanted it all.
I didn't look back. I went downstairs and left.
The road swallowed my bike into darkness, the handlebars freezing against my hands, my heart colder still.
The lights at the county office were harsh and almost blinding.
I slid all my paperwork across the counter. "I'd like to update my legal residency information."
The county clerk took them smoothly. "Sophia? Sure, you'll receive an email notification within ten days."
Ten days later, the change would become official. Sophia Lewis remained only in memory—my softness, my foolish faith, all folded away with the old files.
By the time I made it back to the farm, it was late at night.
As soon as Edward saw me, his eyes were bloodshot, and he swept me into a fierce embrace.
"Sophia, where on earth have you been? I was about to turn this whole farm inside out looking for you," he exclaimed.
His panic might have been genuine, but to me, it all just felt absurd—I couldn't even muster a shred of sympathy.
"I just went out for a stroll. You seemed way too busy for me to interrupt," I replied, slipping out of his embrace, my tone cold and detached.
He finally relaxed a bit. "Glad you're alright. You said your throat was dry the other day, so I got someone to buy you some honey. I'll bring it over."
He headed off toward the kitchen, and that back—still Edward, who loved me deeply.
Suddenly, the phone in his office rang sharply, slicing through the quiet. He snatched it up, and tension instantly tightened his features.
Edward frowned and muttered, tension tight in his eyes, "Sophia, there's an emergency with the performance troupe. I need to go now. I left water on the table—make sure you drink it. Good night. I'll be back later."
Before I could say a word, he grabbed his coat and strode out the door in a rush.
The engine blared through the night, and I could feel a stabbing pain twist through my chest.
I didn't even know what possessed me—I just jumped on my bike and followed after him.
Edward pulled up in front of the hospital.
Inside the hospital room, the staff member from the performance troupe kept apologizing to Edward.
He said, "Mr. Collins, we're really sorry. We didn't know Lila accidentally fell off the stage during rehearsal."
Edward said angrily, "Don't let this happen again."
He didn't look back and walked straight into the ward.
Lila was propped up on the bed, looking delicate, her ankle swaddled in thick bandages.
Edward rushed to her side, his voice trembling with worry. "How did this happen? Does it still hurt?"
Lila had guilt written all over her face. "My bad. I just wanted to lighten your burdens sooner, so I pushed myself too hard in rehearsal. I never meant to give you more to worry about or pull you away from Sophia."
"I know." Edward broke in, his tone gentle but still anxious. "You did it for me. Just have some rest. I'll stay with you these next few days."
He paused, then deliberately enunciated each word, making sure she heard him loud and clear. "Besides, you're the one I went through all that paperwork to marry. Of course, I'll take care of you."
My mind went completely blank for a moment.
Edward reached into his pocket and took out a green box, setting it gently beside Lila.
He said, "This is the best healing medicine—it'll reduce blood clots and swelling. Use it, and I promise you won't suffer any lingering problems. You'll be back on stage soon."
Lila's pale face, already delicate, became streaked with tears as she threw herself into his arms.
Edward couldn't help himself. He leaned in and gently wrapped her up in a protective embrace.
I leaned against the wall outside the ward, my whole world blurred by the unstoppable rush of tears in my eyes.
Back when I was out performing in another city, there was this rumored magic medicine—people swore it had miraculous healing powers.
However, getting one was practically impossible. Only people with major work injuries or battlefield wounds even stood a chance of approval.
Edward was always out on the farm, taking the lead on all the risky jobs, and I worried about him constantly.
To get the medicine, I would wait until rehearsals were over and nobody was watching, then keep "accidentally" falling off the stage over and over.
I kept it up until my arms and legs were bruised and swollen, and even cracked a bone in the process.
The last time, I bit down hard and forced my ankle to twist into a position it was never meant to go.
After putting myself through all those horrifying "workplace accidents"—just for Edward—I finally earned that single box of medicine.
However, that medicine I couldn't even bring myself to use—not even a drop, no matter how much it hurt—he just handed it over to another woman like it was nothing.