Chapter 5

Night had already fallen when I walked out of the office.

My phone buzzed. Sylvia had sent me a provocative message.

In the photo, Grayson had taken over the entire hospital and gathered all the top specialists for her treatment.

[Jade, the one who isn’t loved is the true third wheel. You two aren’t even married yet. I still have a chance!]

As I looked at Grayson’s anxious expression, something in my chest tightened. That expression was all too familiar to me.

Back then, when I accidentally cut my finger slicing fruit, he had looked at me exactly like that. He had also booked an entire hospital and summoned specialists just to treat my small wound.

That tenderness, which was once exclusive to me, was now entirely given to Sylvia.

This time, I did not spiral into jealousy like before. I simply ignored her message in silence.

I took a taxi home. As I was about to go rest, Grayson came back.

As soon as he entered, he instinctively ordered, “Jade, give me a massage. Also, run a bath for me.”

Previously, I would have obeyed without question.

Now, I could not be bothered to respond. I simply closed my eyes and rested.

Grayson frowned, feeling irritated.

“I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?”

“You’re not disabled. Can’t you do your own things?”

My words made his anger flare. He slammed the takeout he had brought home onto the table.

“What’s with your attitude?

“I even specially brought you your favorite dish because I was worried you hadn’t eaten. I shouldn’t have bothered!”

A flicker of expectation rose in me. I opened the box.

My face turned cold.

There was barely anything left inside besides a few lone strands of spaghetti.

I did not like spaghetti. Sylvia did.

He had brought me her leftovers.

I let out a cold laugh and threw the box straight into the trash.

“I’m not a garbage bin. I don’t eat trash.”

Grayson’s face darkened, and he yelled, “So what? I just comforted Sylvia a little, yet you’re still holding a grudge?

“If you don’t want it, fine. I wasted my good intentions on the wrong person!”

In a fit of anger, he kicked the cabinet beside him and knocked over the urn I had placed on top.

Crash!

It shattered on the floor, and the ashes scattered everywhere.

I shoved him away. My eyes were burning red.

“Grayson, are you insane?!”

Grayson looked unconcerned.

“It’s just a case. I’ll get you another one! Was that really worth yelling about?”

My nails dug deep into my palms. Each breath I took felt painful.

“This is Dolly’s ashes!”

He froze for a moment, then frowned.

“Jade, enough already! You’re so jealous that you’re even cursing your own sister. Have you lost your mind?!”

I felt exhausted, so I did not bother explaining. It would not matter anyway. He would not believe me. I had already cried all my tears dry when Dolly died.

I no longer had tears left to cry since then.

I found another container and carefully gathered her ashes bit by bit.

Grayson noticed that my grief did not look fake. His furrowed brow eased, and his tone softened.

“Jade, the revenge plan is almost complete. Wouldn’t it be a pity to ruin everything now? Why can’t you understand my efforts?

“Stop using Dolly as an excuse. It’s not funny anymore.”

I remained silent. Left with no choice, Grayson pulled out his last resort—a doll—and pressed it into my hands.

“Look, I bought this specially for Dolly.

“Stop being upset. After tomorrow’s celebration banquet, we’ll take Dolly for surgery, then we’ll get married. Everything will go back to how it used to be. All right?”