Chapter 2

Vera’s POV

Robert heard me come in and stepped out of the kitchen, spatula in hand.

I knew this scene well.

In my previous life, after Bellis left for overseas, Robert stopped coming home. He buried himself in work. The stress, the skipped meals, the endless coffee — his stomach eventually gave out.

I was worried about him, so I learned to cook. Every day I brought food to his office and stood there watching until he finished every bite before I'd leave.

One time, I knocked over the pot while making soup. Boiling liquid splashed across the back of my hand, raising blisters instantly.

Robert didn't say anything when he found out. He just sat in the living room in silence for a whole night.

After that, he wouldn't let me near the kitchen. No matter how busy he was, he came home and cooked dinner every single night.

Looking back now — God, he was the most dedicated performer I'd ever seen.

I shook myself loose from the memory, pretended I hadn't noticed him, and made for the stairs.

"Vera."

He called my name and held out a bowl of pasta.

"You haven't eaten, have you? Try this."

I drifted into the dining room as if pulled by something I couldn't explain, sat down in silence, and took a bite. The familiar taste hit me, and for a moment I lost myself.

"How is it? Too salty? Bellis can't have too much salt right now."

In an instant, the food turned to cardboard in my mouth.

Robert noticed I'd gone quiet and frowned, a little frustrated. "Not good? I can make another one."

"It's fine," I said flatly. "It's good."

His face lit up. He went back to the kitchen, picked up a second bowl, and headed toward the hallway.

As he passed me, he said: "Bellis isn't feeling well, she needs looking after. Let her stay in my room tonight. You take the guest room for now."

For now — a phrase that, in my previous life, had lasted until Bellis left the country.

But I was done caring about any of this. In seven days, I'd be gone.

I kept silent, giving only a faint nod.

He seemed a little thrown by how little reaction I gave him. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, then the sound of breaking glass came from the bedroom.

His expression changed. He dropped everything and rushed in.

I didn't look up. I finished my pasta and went upstairs.

I had seven days left, and so much to prepare. I had no time to spare on whatever drama was happening with the two of them.

In my previous life, my undergraduate degree was in geological engineering — a field I'd loved. But I'd dropped out before graduating when I became Robert's mate, and I'd switched to an MBA so I could support his career. I had given up everything I cared about for him.

This time around, I wasn't sacrificing my dreams for anyone.

The next few days, I was either in my room reworking my resume or back at the university getting stamps and tracking down professors for reference letters.

I submitted my graduate application to the geology program just before the deadline.

I sat back and breathed for the first time in days.

Then someone knocked on my door.

I opened it. Robert and Bellis, standing there together.

Robert looked me over and frowned. "Where have you been all week? You disappear all day and then lock yourself in your room every night. What are you doing in there?"

He tried to step inside.

I blocked the doorway as gently as I could manage. "It's a mess in here. Let's talk out here. What do you need?"

My desk was covered in application materials. I couldn't let him see them.

We had just completed the marking ceremony. If he found out I was planning to leave, he'd stop me — if only to preserve his dignity.

I couldn't let that happen.

Robert didn't answer. His gaze slid past my shoulder and settled on the pile of papers on my desk.