Chapter 3

For a moment, I could practically hear my heart shatter.

I stood there holding the ring my parents had prepared for me, on the very path they had hoped would lead me to happiness. But what I heard was my own fiancée plotting how to squeeze every last bit of value out of me.

It felt as though every drop of blood in my body had frozen. Even my heart seemed to stop beating.

I wanted to storm in and confront Rachel. I wanted to ask her why she was doing this to me. But in the end, I turned and walked away.

See? I was a coward. I didn't even have the courage to demand an explanation.

It only took a second to fall from heaven to hell.

Like a ghost, I wandered back to my dressing room. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, dressed in my suit.

How ridiculous. The suit that carried my parents' deepest blessings had become the cruelest irony of all.

A pathetic little thought began to take root in my heart.

Maybe I'd heard wrong? Maybe she had her reasons? Maybe I should give her one more chance… After all, she was all I had left.

Back then, some part of me was still foolish enough to hope.

By the time I walked out with the ring, Rachel was already gone. Norman was leaning against the wall, casually straightening his collar. The suggestive red marks on his neck were jarring.

"I'm the one she loves. She's only with you to get her hands on the Caldwell family's shares."

I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging into my palms. "I treated you like a brother. Why would you do this to me?"

He looked at me as though I'd just told the funniest joke in the world.

"Mr. Caldwell, every bit of kindness you've ever shown me just feels like a reminder that you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth."

He suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip shockingly tight.

"Why is it that I'm the one who saved her, yet you're the one who gets to stand by her side? You only sponsored my education to make yourself look like some kind of saint!"

I tried to explain. But he suddenly grabbed my hand and shoved it against his own body. Then, he threw himself backward, letting out a piercing scream. "Ah!"

His scream drew the attention of guests.

Rachel rushed out of the crowd and immediately pulled Norman into her arms. Then, she glared at me furiously. "Joseph, what the hell are you doing?"

Norman, nestled against her, took her hand. "Rachel, don't blame Joseph. Maybe he just doesn't like how close we've become."

I looked at Rachel, my voice barely audible. "Is that really the kind of person you think I am?"

Her lips moved, but before she could answer, the pungent smell of smoke suddenly filled the air.

"Fire!"

Flames shot up in an instant.

"Come with me!"

Rachel let go of Norman and grabbed my wrist. But when he slumped to the floor, she released me and turned back to him.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. I saw the conflict in her eyes. I saw her fists clench. In the end, she bent down and helped Norman to his feet.

"Joseph, he's injured. I'll get him out first. I'll come right back for you!"

Those were the last words she said to me before I left six years ago.

The smoke was so thick that I could barely keep my eyes open.

I tried to find a way out. But the fire spread too quickly, cutting off every escape route. Smoke filled my lungs, and my consciousness began to fade. Then, everything went black.

I had no idea who pulled me out of the burning building. By the time I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed.

I waited an entire day and night, but Rachel never showed up.

On the day I was discharged, I packed all my belongings. As I passed a hospital room with its door slightly ajar, I stopped.

Rachel was sitting beside the bed, carefully feeding Norman his medicine.

Her choice couldn't have been clearer.

I picked up my suitcase and walked out of the hospital without looking back.

My phone rang, pulling me out of my memories.

"Honey, have you finished taking care of everything back home? When are you coming back?"

A smile crept into my voice. "It's all taken care of. I'll be back next week."

"Come back soon, honey. I miss you."

I chuckled softly. "I know, my sweet wife. I miss you too."

After hanging up, I turned to leave, only to come face-to-face with a pair of bloodshot eyes.

Rachel stood right in front of me, trembling from head to toe.

"You're… married?"