Chapter 3

I stifled a giggle behind my hand, teasing him with a playful look.

"Clifford, you're way too careless," I said.

The neighbors exchanged glances, but none of them said anything else.

I happily walked off with Clifford.

I acted like I didn't see the drama playing out on their faces.

I would turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to everything that didn't concern my survival.

I wouldn't care about anything or anyone until Clifford was lying in the ICU, on the verge of death.

*****

When I got back, the house was empty.

But unlike in my previous life, there was a shiny necklace lying on our bed this time.

I glanced at the wooden chair that had been knocked over.

A suspicion crept into my mind, but I didn't let it show as I casually pocketed the necklace.

The long trip had totally worn me out. I needed some serious downtime.

I was about to treat myself to a bubble bath.

But the thought of that woman using my bathtub made me feel sick to my stomach.

I settled for a quick hot shower instead. Afterward, I put on an expensive face mask and picked up my phone to call Clifford.

"Honey, are you off work yet?" I asked.

"I still have some work to finish," he replied.

I pouted, trying to sound extra sweet.

I said, "Looks like you totally forgot what day it is today.

"And here I was, coming back from my business trip two days early just for you."

He went quiet for a moment.

I didn't give him a chance to respond.

I continued, "Babe, are you still mad at me? It's only because I care about you so much."

I dragged out my words in that high-pitched, sugary tone that had always worked like a charm on him in the past.

Countless times before, he had given in to my whims just because I spoke to him like this.

Finally, the realization dawned on him. He remembered that today was our wedding anniversary.

When he spoke again, he sounded way gentler.

"I'm sorry, honey. I've been so busy lately. I'll make it up to you tonight," he said.

I replied sweetly, "Okay."

At a fancy restaurant, the table was decorated with fresh flowers, fine wine, a delicious cake, and a beautifully wrapped gift. The atmosphere was romantic and intimate.

I looked at Clifford with a loving expression as we talked about the past, reminiscing about the day he had proposed to me in this very restaurant.

As we sat there, bathed in the warm glow of the candlelight, I felt like I was watching a movie of our three years of marriage unfold before my eyes.

We really did have our share of sweet moments.

The first time we met, he was so refined, like a true gentleman.

He really made a great impression on me.

During our first year together, he absolutely doted on me.

He'd cook all my favorite dishes for me.

Whenever it was that time of the month, he'd make me hot water to help me feel better.

If he saw me walking around barefoot, he'd gently put socks on my feet himself.

If I ever got sick and needed him, he'd drive all night from out of town just to be there for me.

So when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, I said yes without a second thought.

But before I knew it, things started to shift.

His calendar was suddenly packed with meetings.

He kept coming home later and later.

I could feel something was wrong and did my best to patch things up between us.

But it was already too late.

*****

Clifford was in a great mood that night.

I looked at him with adoring eyes throughout the entire dinner.

And it was like he had been swept right back to those sweet, early days when we first fell for each other.

We clinked our glasses again and again, celebrating everything we had been through, everything we had now, and all that was still to come.

I knew perfectly well that people with concussions shouldn't drink alcohol.

But frankly, I couldn't have cared less.

Clifford's face was bright red from the booze, and he was staring at me.

It couldn't get any more cringe.

He tried to lean in for a kiss, but I shoved him away before he could get close.

"Wait, let's snap a photo first," I said.

In the picture, I was grinning with pure happiness, while Clifford gazed at me with dreamy, adoring eyes.

The doting, gentle vibe was just what I wanted.

I posted it on my social media.

The caption was just as cringey.

It read, [I only walked with you for a part of your life, but that journey became my forever. Happy anniversary.]

Clifford's phone suddenly buzzed.

He declined the call, totally unfazed.

I looked at him with a concerned expression.