Chapter 4

Kendrick's POV

I forced a smile before replying, "Didn't we promise we'd visit Idmark to see the Northern Lights someday? I already contacted a guide I knew."

Daphne let out a relieved sigh. Then, she kissed my forehead.

"Wherever you want to go, I'll be right there with you."

Her affection always left me wondering what was real. But once, I unlocked her phone while she was asleep.

Daphne had an entire note dedicated to Oliver. One entry read, "Took Oli skydiving in Nassland today. He had so much fun."

"Oli got into a fight with Mildred, so I bought him a private island to cheer him up. He loved it."

In another, she wrote, "Oliver came over today, and Kendrick's dog scared him. That mutt clearly isn't loyal. It has to go."

There was an entry for nearly every day, and each one left me reeling.

Daphne remembered every detail about Oliver—his moods, his preferences, and the things that made him happy.

But when I asked her to ride a Ferris wheel with me, she always refused, claiming she was afraid of heights.

When I was burning with fever and barely conscious, she'd been shopping abroad with Oliver.

When my dog of three years was poisoned, I cried until I couldn't catch my breath. Daphne had comforted me then, but the truth was, she'd been the one behind it.

Despite knowing it would only hurt, I forced myself to keep reading. She'd carefully note down Oliver's shoe size and every brand he liked.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. It must have been agonizing for Daphne to pretend she cared about me when her heart belonged to Oliver.

…

The day I was discharged from the hospital was also Dad's birthday. I didn't feel like going to the party, but Daphne said, "Kendrick, your mother's ashes are still kept in the chapel on the estate. How long has it been since you last visited?"

She had a point, so I agreed to go.

Daphne rested her face against my chest and murmured, "Kendrick, I knew you'd always be the reasonable one.

"We can also announce that the company is being handed over to Oliver at the dinner and introduce him to the shareholders. It'll make things easier for him going forward.

"You've always thrown everything into work, darling. From now on, take it easy. I've got your back."

Her words sounded sweet, but all she was really thinking about was how to pave the way for Oliver to join the company.

…

The Shaw residence was no longer my home. My nightmare had begun the day Dad brought Oliver and my stepmother home.

Their schemes and attempts to compete for Dad's attention had never stopped, even though he was very much still alive.

Every time Dad looked at me, all I saw in his gaze was disgust and contempt. When Mom died, she took away the father who used to carry me on his shoulders and play with me.

I no longer expected anything from him.

But when Dad saw me in the wheelchair, his usually stern expression gradually softened.

Just then, Oliver walked over with Mildred on his arm. "Ken, you finally decided to come home. You have no idea how happy Dad is.

"Back then, when he called you shameless, he was only worried about you. He was afraid you'd end up with an STD.

"I heard about your accident. What happened? Did some woman you slept with come back looking for revenge?"

Oliver covered his mouth in exaggerated shock, and the act made my stomach turn.

I stared at him and replied calmly, "I'm perfectly fine. You don't need to worry about me. You might want to worry about yourself, though. Showing up to a birthday party with a hickey on your neck and not even bothering to hide it?"

Oliver pressed his lips together. Then, he adjusted his collar, trying to hide the mark on his neck.

Mildred shot him a skeptical look, and he hurriedly explained, "Don't listen to him. It's just a mosquito bite. He's always trying to make me look bad."

At that, Mildred turned away and started chatting with the other guests, wine glass in hand.

As she walked away, Oliver leaned closer and chuckled into my ear. "Oh, Ken. Do you know how many times Daphne begged for me while I was trying on this suit today?

"You can barely even stand now. There's a good chance you'll never be able to perform again. I doubt you'll ever satisfy her."