Chapter 3
After Kiana was discharged from the hospital, she went home with Ford.
As soon as they reached the door, she placed her hand on the fingerprint lock and pushed the door open.
I had no idea Ford had added Kiana's fingerprint to the lock.
Once we were home, Ford headed straight for the kitchen.
Kiana helped him put on his apron; her face lit up with a gentle smile.
If someone didn't know any better, they'd think the two of them were a loving couple.
Watching them together, I felt a lump stuck in my chest, neither rising nor fading.
After five years of marriage, Ford had never once cooked a meal for me.
I gave a wry smile.
He only ever cooked for the ones he loves.
Halfway through their meal, the phone suddenly rang.
As soon as Ford picked up, he was met with heart-wrenching sobs on the other end.
"Ford, Hadley was dead. Please, you have to come over, right now." Alex choked out between sobs.
Ford pulled the phone away from his ear and said coldly,
He snorted, "Alex, you're really getting good at this act. Just because you and Hadley are tight doesn't mean you have to pull this stunt for her. If she were really gone, I wouldn't want to live either."
Alex paused, then murmured,
"No. I'm not lying, Hadley really—"
Before he could finish, Ford hung up on him.
"She just never quits with the drama, does she? Is she really so scared of getting in trouble that she has to fake her own death? She's like some freak who never stays dead. Who'd buy that she's actually gone?" Ford muttered.
Ford's brows were furrowed, impatience written all over his face.
Kiana gave an understanding smile.
"Oh, come on, women are all like that, you know. She just wants your attention," she said.
Seeing how considerate Kiana was, Ford felt even more protective of her.
"You really wasted your breath sticking up for her. When she gets back, I'll make sure she apologizes to you properly. Otherwise, we're done for," he said.
Hearing that, my eyes burned, but no tears would fall. Even my soul felt thin and insubstantial.
He had no idea that I was never coming back.
When he pushed me toward the kidnappers, I begged him.
"Ford, I don't have any more second chances at life. I can't die here," I pleaded.
But he was convinced I was just trying to use this chance to get Kiana killed.
Even now, he didn't believe I was really gone.
But none of that mattered anymore.
I glanced at the two of them, satisfied and relaxed after dinner.
Curled up together on the couch, watching a movie, inching closer with every scene.
Now that they'd eaten their fill, the mood between them was getting downright steamy.
I turned my head away, refusing to watch those two shameless lovebirds.
Just as their lips were about to touch, Ford suddenly turned aside and pulled back from Kiana.
"I still have some work to finish. You go ahead and get some rest," he said.
With that, he strode off to his study without looking back.
Kiana watched him leave, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face.
I couldn't understand why he acted that way.
What he wanted was right there in front of him, but he suddenly stopped.
Early the next morning, Ford showed up at the rescue squad.
The mood was heavy, almost suffocating.
When everyone saw Ford, they gave him pitying looks.
Ford picked up on the strange atmosphere and frowned.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? If you've got something to say, just say it," he said.
One of the team members looked like he was about to say something, but before he could, a cop called Ford aside.
"Are you the next of kin? We need you to identify the body," the officer said.
Ford froze for a second, a flicker of panic crossing his face.
He pressed his lips together.
"Who is it?" he asked.
"It was Hadley. She was killed in a robbery yesterday. We double-checked everything, and her identity's been confirmed," the officer replied.
Ford went rigid, his voice trembling.
He said, "She's dead? No way. This has to be some act she's pulling to get out of trouble. She's just pretending to be dead."
The officer looked at him sternly.
"Mr. Carter, please don't doubt our professionalism. My condolences, but Ms. Evans is truly gone. Please identify and take the body home," the officer said.
With that, Ford moved forward in a daze, his eyes locked on the stretcher draped in white, muttering to himself.
"No way. She can't be dead. This has to be another one of her tricks, just trying to fool me," Ford whispered.
As he spoke, he grabbed the edge of the sheet, his hand trembling as he pulled it back.