CHAPTER 2

Camelia opened her eyes, staring at her surroundings with a hand reflexively touching her head. She gazed at her surroundings, realizing she was in a car, which was strange. 

"Elisa!"

Camelia faintly heard someone call out Elisa's name. Suddenly, her head turned towards the window, where a man was trying to break the windshield.

The glass broke after the third attempt. Camelia was too weak to speak; she just stayed silent as the car door was forcibly opened. Then her body was grabbed and into the arms of a man she didn't recognize at all; Camelia's mind at this time only remembered what Samuel had done to her.

Taylor carried his wife's body into the car. Felix continued to stare at Elisa's face, his fingers pressing the wound on her head with a handkerchief.

"No, no, no, please hold on, Elisa. I'm sorry I came late," Felix muttered shakily.

****

"Die! Die, Camelia, you must die! Because I hate your arrogant attitude!"

Camelia fretted in her sleep, her hands clenched tightly. Tears continued to fall from her eyes, which were still tightly closed.

"Elisa, hey, what's wrong with you." Felix put down the iPad in his hand, moved closer to Elisa, and rubbed her cheek lightly.

Felix's gray eyes met Eliza's beautiful hazel eyes. There were still Cristal-like tears in her eyes; Felix's hand continued to caress the top of her head.

"Eliza. It's me, Felix. Are you okay?" Felix asked when he saw Eliza silently staring at him without saying anything.

"Elisa? Who is Elisa, and who are you?" repeated Camelia with furrowed brows. 

Just like Elisa, Felix was also confused by his wife's question. Instead of answering, Felix's hand quickly pressed the button on the side of the bed. 

"Calm down. The Doctor will be here soon," Felix continued briefly.

Within minutes, the Doctor and nurse arrived to treat Elisa, who looked strange as she awoke from her fainting spell. Felix didn't take his eyes off Elisa; he was worried beyond belief about the state of his wife, Elisa. Never had Felix been this panicked; Elisa had managed to mess with his heart even though they were married without love.

"Mr. Taylor, can we talk outside," the Doctor said.

Felix nodded as he glanced at Elisa lying back down, and their eyes met in the air for a few seconds.

"What happened to my wife? Did she have a memory lapse?" Felix asked, immediately bombarding the Doctor with questions.

"Forgive us. But as the accident to Mrs. Taylor's head was fatal, the patient indeed has amnesia. We have not been able to confirm whether or not Miss Elisa's amnesia is temporary," the Doctor explained. "In the meantime, please stay by the patient's side," the Doctor continued.

After hearing the Doctor's explanation, Felix went back to see Elisa. He thought Elisa had fallen asleep after being given the medicine, but it turned out that she was still awake and even kept throwing glances at him as if Felix was a stranger who should be wary.

"I thought you were asleep," Felix said, returning to the sofa near Elisa's bed. Picking up the iPad again, Felix's cold demeanor returned to Elisa. This was how Felix's attitude towards Elisa was indifferent, while his earlier worry was purely because he was panicking.

"No, no, no. I can't fall asleep, who are you?" replied Camelia trying to change her lying position to sitting. She stared deeply into the man's cold face, the slices of grey eyes still lingering in Camelia's mind, a handsome face with a firm jaw covered in fine hair. Camelia was honestly mesmerized by his good looks.

"I'm your husband, Jhonson Felix Taylor," he said, lifting his face slightly from the iPad.

"How is that possible!" said Camelia, shaking her head. She chuckled; she knew her husband was Ronan Samuel Philips, so why would a man claim to be her husband? Of course, it made no sense to Camelia.

"That's right. Sounds absurd. But that's the fact, Elisa. You are my wife in the eyes of the law and before God," Felix said flatly.

"Can you lend me your cell phone? I need to contact my secretary," added Camelia, opening her palms and asking for help from the man who claimed to be her husband.

Felix nodded and approached Elisa, reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket for his cell phone and handing it to her. I don't know whose secretary Elisa was referring to; his wife was a model, so it was doubtful that Elisa would have a secretary.

Camelia froze as the phone's black screen reflected someone else's face, which surprised her. And even more surprised when she opened the camera and saw his face. "Who? Whose body am I in?" Camelia thought, feeling her face.

"You feel strange about your face too?" asked Felix, seeing the strange thing Elisa was doing again.

"W-what happened to me?" Camelia turned to look at Felix's face.

"You had a single accident by hitting a road restriction. And the Doctor says you have amnesia; I hope it's temporary," Felix explained briefly to Elisa.

Wait! If Elisa was the owner of this body in an accident. And Camelia had died by being thrown into the ravine, so why was she now in Elisa's body? Then where would the honest Elisa be?

It couldn't be doubtful. Camelia shook her head, dropping the cell phone in her hand. She grabbed her hair and instantly felt dizzy after trying to remember everything that happened to her. Camelia was sure she had died at the bottom of the ravine, so why was she alive again? Had she been reborn? 

"What year is it? And what country am I in," Camelia asked Felix again.

"2024. São Paulo."

The same year, the same country sounded even more absurd. But Camelia felt this was an opportunity she would take advantage of in this position. It must be the answer to the pain and injustice of her suffering.

Camelia turned her head as a warm feeling touched her palm. Felix's face was staring at her sadly, and at once, Camelia felt confused. Her brain couldn't work; how should she explain to Felix that currently inside Elisa's body was her?

"Felix is my husband. I'm sorry, I can't remember you."

Felix was silent as he heard Elisa recognize him as her husband. She had never said that during their three years of marriage, but today, Felix heard her directly call him that.

"No problem, please just think of your recovery," Felix replied, adjusting his tone so as not to sound awkward.

****Meanwhile, elsewhere, the company party turned into a condolence event. Samuel announced with tears in his eyes on the podium; he stated that his wife Camelia had an accident and fell into a ravine with the car she was driving.

"Please pray that my wife's body can be found as soon as possible," Samuel said on the podium. He wiped his hands with a handkerchief given to him by his secretary, Simona.

Just like Samuel, Simona also did the best drama possible. She cried bitterly to attract the attention of others because many people knew that Simona was also close to the late Camelia.

Simona just looked down, holding her hands in her lap. She glanced at Samuel, who stole glances at her. He smiled several times, and Simona knew it was a sign of the success they were about to have.

An inheritance that wouldn't run out for the seven generations that would be born to her and Samuel, not to mention Camelia's death insurance. Simona had difficulty sleeping, imagining how luxurious her life would be as Mrs. Philips, bearing children for Samuel, and living happily with the money that kept coming without working hard. Her dream would come true shortly.   

"Camelia. You stupid, beautiful woman! Married a poor man who didn't love you, thanks to the treasure you left behind," Simona thought as she stared at the large picture of Camelia displayed in the ballroom.

This year could have been a sad year as they had to pretend to mourn and feel sad about Camelia's death. But next year would be different; Samuel would move on with his life, and Simona would participate.

"I have to see Mr. Taylor first," Samuel said, handing his handkerchief to Simona.

Felix felt guilty for arriving late. He had a lot of things to take care of. Elisa, his wife, was still in the hospital, and Felix didn't want to leave her alone. But the woman forced him to go; inevitably, Felix had to attend an event that was not too important to him.

"Mr. Philips, I'm sorry I'm late," Felix said, shaking Samuel's hand. Samuel was one of the billionaires whose name had only soared in recent years; reportedly, Samuel was successful because of the support of the great woman who became his wife.

"Mr. Taylor, I must apologize to you. The company party must be stopped because I just lost my wife," Samuel replied, taking a breath and exhaling. He showed his sad face again.

"I have heard this news. I am also in shock over what happened to you, Mr. Philips. Hopefully, your wife's body can be found as soon as possible."

"It's difficult, tough, Mr. Taylor. Finding my wife's body, her car crashed in a steep ravine, and underneath it is a vast sea that cannot measure its depth," Samuel explained in detail. He knew the place so well that it would be impossible to find Camelia, who had probably become shark food.

Felix nodded. He thought so, even though the Philips' little family romance had always been in the media spotlight. Felix knew Samuel and Camelia had married through an arranged marriage, just like he and Elisa. But Camelia and Samuel were the most romantic couple, and Felix could also see that Samuel was sorrowful when he lost his wife.

"Mr. Taylor, you only came alone. Where is your wife, Elisabet?" 

"My wife. She just returned from Italy, and I asked her to rest."

"My late wife also just returned from New York. It's a pity we didn't get to meet to say goodbye to each other."

Felix's brows furrowed strangely as he heard Samuel's odd-sounding words. Farewell? Wasn't his wife in an accident, not dead from illness? But whatever it was, Felix didn't want to interfere further; Samuel excused himself from his presence to greet the other guests.

Felix stood in the corner of the room among the fresh roses. With a glass glass filled with golden liquid, his lips tasted the drink that entered his throat little by little. His eyes gazed deeply into the picture of Camelia Shannon Philips; so beautiful and captivating, Elisa's face instantly flashed into Felix's mind. 

Felix bowed slightly as he tried to pay his respects to the late Camelia. Even though they had not spoken, Felix would still show his respect.

At the same time, Felix's eyes followed the movements of a woman who looked suspicious. The woman approached Samuel, and Felix saw the woman's hand hiding behind her back interlock with Samuel's hand.

"Samuel is having an affair?" Felix guessed. Felix's mind immediately thought of a suspicious motive for Camelia's death. 

****