Chapter 5

When I returned to my room, I held the glass of water until it turned cold.

I never took a sip. All I could think about was how William used to sneak into my room in the middle of the night, strip off my clothes with shaking hands, and whisper in my ear again and again, "Stephy, I can't stand touching someone I don't want. You're the only one who makes me want anything."

I closed my eyes and tightened my grip on the glass. "William. Over all these years, how many things you said were ever true?"

…

I did not sleep at all that night. By morning, my fever had climbed to 104°F. I did not know how much time had passed before a familiar voice reached me through the haze. "Stephy. Stephy, how are you feeling?"

I forced my eyes open.

William sat beside the bed, pressing an ice pack to my forehead. His shirt hung open at the chest. I could still see a few fresh hickeys there.

I turned my face away and knocked his hand aside.

He paused, then let out a quiet sigh. "My son just got out of the hospital. He's still weak. For the next few days, don't go outside. You might pass something on to him."

He hesitated, then softened his tone. "This works out anyway. You need peace and rest. The butler will bring your meals and medicine on time. I'll come see you at night."

I let out a short, mocking laugh. "At night?"

He nodded. "I still have work at the company during the day."

Maybe because I had finally responded, some of the coldness in his expression eased. "Don't worry. We've got plenty of time. A few moments won't matter."

Then he turned and left, looking almost pleased with himself.

What he did not know was that, with my back to him, my eyes had already gone dead. He also did not know there was no long future waiting for us.

"Two more days. Then we will never see each other again," I muttered.

…

Maybe Elvira had given the order, because over the next few days, the butler never brought me any food.

I lay there, dizzy and weak, too sick to move, listening to the laughter of their family of four outside my door.

William rarely spoke, but the children more than made up for it.

Out in the garden, Summer shouted that she wanted to sit on his shoulders. At noon, she demanded he feed her himself.

I stared at the ceiling while tears slipped soundlessly from the corners of my eyes.

That night, William finally pushed the door open.

The second he saw me lying there half-dead, the fruit tray in his hands crashed to the floor.

He immediately called for the butler and demanded to know why no one had taken care of me.

The butler stammered out an answer. "W-We were busy preparing for Miss Summer's birthday party tomorrow. I forgot."

The moment those words landed, William went silent. Then he waved the butler away in irritation and strode to the bedside, feeding me medicine himself.

I did not even have the strength to open my mouth.

The next second, he lowered his head and kissed me, passing the medicine into my mouth bit by bit.

…

By morning, my fever had finally broken. When I stepped out of my room, the villa was already full of guests. They were celebrating Summer's third birthday.

Elvira stood at the center of it all with Summer's hand in hers, surrounded by people and drowning in blessings.

Then Brent took her by the arm. "Vira, in just three years, you've given the Jamison family a son and a daughter. As thanks, I have a gift for you. This belonged to Liam's mother. Starting today, it's yours."

I froze when I saw the sapphire necklace.

Back then, William had mentioned it to me. His eyes had been red as he said it was the only thing his mother had left him. Before she died, she told him to give it one day to the person he loved most.

Before I could pull myself out of those memories, Brent spoke again. "Liam. Put it on her."

I looked at him on instinct.

He did not hesitate for even a second before stepping forward and taking the necklace.

Elvira turned around shyly. The guests watched with pleased smiles.

"With a relationship this sweet, I wouldn't be surprised if there's another baby next year."

"Mr. Jamison, you're truly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law."

I stood in the corner and watched. By then, my heart had gone completely numb.

Just then, Elvira looked up and waved at me with a smile. "Stephy, you're awake. Why not come downstairs?"

The moment she spoke, every eye in the room turned toward me. William looked over too, and his face stiffened at once.

Someone in the crowd asked, "And who is this?"

Brent let out a cold snort. His tone was full of contempt. "Vira's maid."

I could not even be bothered to respond. I turned to leave, but Elvira came upstairs. She took my arm before I could shake her off and half-pulled me downstairs.

Every gaze landed on me at once.

Someone laughed. "Miss Wyndham is such a kind person. She's even this considerate to her maid."

"Exactly. With a temper that good, no wonder Mr. Jamison spoils her."

I forced myself to stand in the middle of the party, watching them line up one by one to hand over their gifts.

After the last person stepped away, someone suddenly turned to me. "Your turn."

The room went quiet for a beat.

Then Elvira smiled. "Stephy hasn't been feeling well these past few days. I'm already happy she came down to keep Summer company. As for gifts, sentiment matters more than anything."

The moment she said that, another round of praise rose around us.

I looked at all of them coldly. When my eyes passed over William, he avoided my gaze.

…

After the party ended, they went outside to see off the guests.

I walked to the pool and lit a cigarette to calm myself.

A few seconds later, I heard footsteps behind me. When I turned, Summer was crouched at the edge of the pool, reaching down to touch her reflection.

My heart jumped.

I moved toward her, but before I could reach her, her foot slipped and she pitched straight into the water.

I lunged and grabbed her on instinct.

I had not expected her to panic and drag me in with her.

The freezing water slammed into my nose and mouth. I choked so hard I could barely breathe.

I could not swim. All I could do was hold on to her and force her upward with everything I had. The more frightened she became, the tighter she clung to me.

Everything around us erupted into chaos.

William reached us first. He jumped into the pool at once and pulled me out first because I was closer. Then he turned and hauled Summer out after me.

We both lived. We were both barely conscious.

But Elvira's face darkened on the spot.

In the ambulance, she grabbed William by the collar. "William, why did you save Stephanie first? Summer is only three. She's your own daughter."

He was soaked and exhausted. He pressed a hand to his brow. "Don't overthink it. She just happened to be closer."

Elvira let out a sharp laugh. Then she bent down and asked Summer what had happened.

Summer lifted a trembling hand and pointed at me. "It was her…"

"Did you hear that?" Elvira's eyes were bloodshot. "The woman you keep protecting almost killed our child again. William, this time I'm not forgiving either of you. You get two choices. Either Stephanie moves out immediately. Or I take Summer and our son and disappear from your life for good."

William fell silent for a moment. Then he looked at me, lying there with a breathing tube in place, and let out a long sigh. "Fine."