Chapter 2

My soul was trapped at Monique's side. I had no choice but to follow her home. Just as she reached the door, someone blocked her path.

It was the director of the orphanage where I'd grown up, Pauline Kinsley. Her eyes were red and swollen, her face twisted as she stared at Monique like she was ready to tear her apart.

"Monique, do you know Scott jumped off a building?"

Monique paused mid-step and said dismissively, "Yeah".

Ms. Kinsley stepped forward and grabbed Monique by the collar, shouting furiously, "It was you! You drove your husband to his death! Why aren't you upset? You lost your memory, not your mind!"

Monique laughed coldly and shoved Ms. Kinsley hard to the ground.

"Ms. Kinsley, you've lost it just like Scott. I haven't even blamed you for tricking me into that marriage, and now you're calling me heartless?"

"Why would I ever marry some orphan? You people just wanted my money. I've finally come to my senses.

"Thank God I lost my memory and got rid of that baby early. At least now, you can't bleed me dry."

I stood there, stunned. This was what Monique had thought of me all along after losing her memory. No wonder every time I tried to explain, she just looked at me with contempt.

Ms. Kinsley shakily got to her feet and slowly held up a man's ring.

"Mon, I don't care what you think of me, but the dead can't come back. Go see Scott one last time. If you don't, you'll regret it when your memory returns."

Monique snatched the ring and examined it carefully, but her voice cut like a blade straight through the chest.

"You're really willing to go all out for money, aren't you? Regret? Scott's dead? He was always so dramatic about dying. If he had the guts, he should've done it right in front of me!"

Ms. Kinsley's hand trembled with rage as she struck Monique across the face, her lips quivering as she said, "How can you be this heartless? Scott gave up his chance to study abroad for you. He drank until he vomited blood just to pay off your gambling debts.

"What have you ever done for him? You cheated on him! You aborted his child and sent him the remains. Now, Scott's dead, and you won't even see him one last time. How cruel can you be?"

Monique tossed her hair back and lifted her chin with a cold laugh. "Who knows if you're making this all up? I don't remember any of it, so as far as I'm concerned, it never happened.

"Why would I give birth to a child when I don't even know who the father is? Scott must've taken advantage of me when I was vulnerable and tricked me into getting pregnant.

"Consider that slap payment enough. Tell Scott I'm marrying Connor now. He should stop clinging to me and just sign the divorce papers already. Enough with the dramatics."

I thought that once you died, your heart couldn't hurt anymore. But Monique's words cut straight through me, and I couldn't help but hate my former self for being willing to sacrifice everything for her.

I felt like a complete joke. I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the sky. Monique was utterly ruthless.

Hearing those words, Ms. Kinsley swayed on her feet but forced herself to turn around and slowly straighten her back. "Fine. Monique, you're not Scott's wife anymore. You'd better pray you never get your memory back."

Watching Ms. Kinsley walk away, step by heavy step, endless sorrow washed over me. My choice had cost the elderly Ms. Kinsley the unbearable pain of outliving someone she'd raised.

I wanted to follow her, but I was pulled along as Monique walked into the house. On the dining table sat the candlelit dinner I'd prepared. The metallic scent of the steak still lingered in the air.

Monique's brow furrowed as she scrolled through her phone's call log. She hesitated, then dialed a number. No one answered.

She must have remembered that I'd called her right before I died.