Chapter 2
The Ford family's car arrived soon after.
There was no wedding, no guests, not even a groom.
The Bennett family packed me up and shipped me off Ford Family.
The Ford estate was astonishingly vast, yet just as astonishingly desolate.
A stern middle-aged woman, Ms. Williams, greeted me. She was the housekeeper.
She led me down a long corridor to the master bedroom on the second floor.
"Mr. Ford is inside. From now on, you're responsible for his care. Remember, don't say what you shouldn't, and don't do what you shouldn't,” she warned, her tone sharp.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was massive, decorated in cool tones that made it feel cold and deserted.
A man lay motionless in bed, surrounded by various medical devices.
It was Alexander Ford.
Even in a coma, his features were striking—high cheekbones, a sharp nose, and thin lips. His long, curled lashes cast shadows across his face.
He looked just as he had in my past life.
Back then, when Sophia's words pushed me to the edge, I'd collapsed mentally and tried to jump from the balcony.
It was him, the man everyone thought was unconscious, who, with his last bit of strength, grabbed my ankle.
His hand was burning hot—the only warmth I had felt in that cold world.
That moment stopped me from ending my life.
From then on, I stayed by his side, talking to him, telling him stories, massaging him.
Three months later, he finally woke up.
Once awake, Alexander Ford wasted no time and swiftly took back everything the Ford family had lost.
He kept me close, showering me with love and protection.
He made sure those who had once hurt me paid for their actions.
But by then, Sophia had already married Charles, and their position was unshakable. Though Alexander punished them, it wasn't enough to break their power.
As for me, the years of mental strain took a toll on my body, and I passed away not long after.
In my final moments, Alexander held me, crying like a child.
He swore that in the next life, he would find me first and protect me.
Alexander, I'm back.'
This time, it's my turn to protect you.' I swore.
I started playing the role of a dutiful wife.
Every day, I would wipe down Alexander Ford's body, massage his muscles, and talk to him.
The servants in the Ford family all said the new Mrs. Ford was the most obedient one they had ever seen.
I knew, though, that Sophia Bennett was waiting.
Waiting for me to break, for me to make a mistake, for the Ford family to throw me out.
Then she would step in and take my place, without question.
But I wouldn't let her have it.
I not only stayed in line, I played the role of the "perfect" wife.
I began to "accidentally" heal my comatose husband.
One night, after finishing my usual massage, I took the first letter out of Sophia's jewelry box.
The paper was pink, lightly scented with perfume.
"Michael, today is my third day in the Bennett family. Everyone has been very kind to me. Mom and Dad love me, and so does my brother and Charles Grant. But I still think of you. I think of those days we spent in that tiny rented apartment, eating instant noodles together."
I read aloud in the softest voice, every word careful and deliberate.
Halfway through, I noticed a slight movement from the man lying on the bed. His finger twitched ever so slightly.
It was small, but I saw it clearly.
My heart raced.
'Alexander, you heard that, didn't you?' I thought.
Now you know that sweet, innocent Sophia, the one who pretended to be perfect in front of you, was secretly in love with another man.'
I forced my excitement down and continued reading.
"Everyone says I will marry the comatose man from the Ford family. Michael, I'm so scared. I don't want to marry a man in a coma. I want to marry you. Will you wait for me? Once I have everything from the Bennetts, I'll come to find you."
After finishing, I carefully placed the letter back in its envelope and set it on the nightstand beside Alexander's bed.
After everything was done, I looked at his peaceful face and whispered softly, "Alexander, why are you still not waking up?"
If you don't wake up soon, your first love will be stolen away.
The next day, Sophia Bennett showed up.
She walked into the room with a delicate fruit basket, her face bright with a smile.
"Hello, Emily, I came to check on you. Are you settling in at the Ford family?"
Her eyes quickly scanned the room before landing on me, with a subtle, almost hidden scrutiny in her gaze.
I lowered my eyes, pretending to be timid. "It's okay, just a little lonely."
She nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, it must be pretty lonely, living with someone who doesn't talk or move." Sophia said, her words laced with subtle meaning. "But don't worry, after a while, I'll talk to Mom and Dad and make sure you can come home more often."
It was framed as concern, but really, it was surveillance.
I sneered inwardly, but on the outside, I looked almost moved to tears. "Thank you, Sophia."
Sophia's eyes landed on the nightstand.
There, I had deliberately left the corner of the pink envelope visible.
Her expression shifted instantly.
"What's this?" she asked, hurrying over to grab the envelope.
I beat her to it, pressing my hand down on the envelope.
"It's nothing, just some random things I wrote," I said, nervously hiding the envelope behind my back. "Sophia, please don't look."
The more I acted like this, the more suspicious she got.
"Emily, give it to me!" she demanded, reaching for the envelope.
I clutched it tightly, my body shaking slightly from 'fear.' "Sophia, this is private! You can't look!"
Our argument attracted the attention of Ms. Williams, the housekeeper.
"Madam, Miss Bennett, what's going on?" Ms. Williams asked, his brow furrowed as he walked in.
Sophia immediately released her grip, returning to her innocent, delicate demeanor, her eyes reddening.
"It's nothing, Ms. Williams.I just saw my sister here all alone and wanted to keep her company. Maybe I was too eager and frightened her."
She turned to me, her voice dripping with apology. "Emily, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Such a perfect act of innocence.' I sneered inwardly.
I lowered my head and spoke softly, "It's okay, Sophia."
Ms. Williams gave us both a look, but said nothing further. Still, her gaze on Sophia was now a little more probing.
I knew I had played my first move perfectly.