Chapter 4

Later that afternoon, Scarlett paid a visit to her old lecturer, Robin Olsen.

Just before leaving, Robin tugged her to the nearby chapel and told her that prayers that were made here were very often answered. Besides, the chapel gave out blessed amulets as well, and Robin wanted to get one for Scarlett.

When they arrived at the chapel, the priest Scarlett had never seen before suddenly called out her name in person quite accurately.

"Are you wondering why I know your full name?" the priest, Mike Cross, asked with a chuckle. "A year ago, someone named Joachim Davidson donated 80 million dollars to our chapel and seemed very earnest with his prayers.

"He got an amulet for you, for your health and safety, but he didn't bring it back with him. He just had us put your name on it and left it here so that we could bless you even more with our daily prayers and chanting."

Robin was overjoyed when he heard this. "Aww, look. Joe did so much to prove his love for you. I'm so happy to know that you're both still very loving in your relationship!"

Scarlett lowered her gaze. The warmth of the past was now mingling with the pain of betrayal in her heart, causing ripples in her heart that she'd long thought was dead.

"It was fate for you to visit us today. Since you're here now, you might as well bring the amulet back with you," Mike said.

Scarlett took the amulet from him. However, just as she was about to turn to leave, Mike called out to her again.

"Wait for a minute! Mr. Davidson also requested three other amulets at that time. You should also bring those back with you."

Scarlett accepted the three additional amulets. However, when she saw the names on them, she wanted nothing more in the world than to laugh out loud.

The three amulets bore Katrina's and her two children's names.

…

Joachim realized that Scarlett had gone to sleep alone after he came back home that night.

For the past few years, they had had a habit of waiting for the other to come home before going to sleep together, arm in arm.

However, this was the first time Scarlett did not wait up for him.

Joachim felt a sudden uneasy feeling in his chest. He hugged Scarlett and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"I missed you so much, Lettie. I know it's only been a few hours, but it felt like a few centuries to me. I'd never be able to live if you weren't by my side one day."

"Really?" Scarlett asked after a moment of hesitation.

"Oh, by the way, Lettie, there's something I need to talk to you about. It's about that island. So… I found it not good enough. But I bought another two more islands to make up for it! Is that okay?"

Scarlett closed her eyes and said, "Whatever you say."

Sensing the coldness and annoyance in her voice, Joachim felt even more uneasy. He asked carefully, "Lettie, did I do something to make you mad at me?"

"No. I'm just tired," she answered, taking a deep breath. "It's our wedding anniversary in a few days. I want to take the private jet out tomorrow afternoon to pick something up overseas. I bought something there, and I want to get it myself."

"But you're still pregnant. The flight can take more than half a day. It's too tiring for you. I'll make the trip instead."

Scarlett spoke in a slightly pleading voice, "No way. I want to go there myself."

Joachim felt his heart melt when he heard Scarlett softening her tone with him. He would probably hand over his soul on a silver platter if she asked for it in that voice.

"Okay. I'll do whatever you say."

The next morning, Joachim left after preparing breakfast. He told Scarlett that he had things to do at the office.

Scarlett started packing after he left.

She opened the closet door and took out every outfit that Joachim had personally tailored for her. She then destroyed them with a pair of scissors and threw them into the trash.

She then took all the jewelry Joachim had ever given her and gave them to their housekeepers.

Scarlett also had a total of 16 photo albums filled with photos and memories of her and Joachim. They had been saving the albums for three years and had agreed that they would keep them until they grew old together.

She threw them all into the fireplace.

Meanwhile, Joachim doubled back when he realized that he had left some important documents at home. That was when he caught sight of the photo albums in the fire.

He heard an explosion go off in his mind. Then, he lunged at the fire without further thought, reached in, and managed to retrieve just the last half of an album from being consumed by the fire.

"Lettie…"

Joachim turned to look at Scarlett. His voice was shaky. "Why did you burn them all?"

Scarlett smiled and said, "Nothing. I just thought that I looked really ugly in those photos and didn't want to keep them anymore."

She went over to him and tugged at his scorched hand. "We still have many years ahead of us. We can always capture new memories together. Why did you have to go and put your hand in the fire? Look at how badly you've hurt yourself. Get the doctor to have a proper look at the burn."

The flustered feeling in Joachim's chest gradually dissipated when he saw the genuine concern Scarlett had for him, which was showing in her eyes. He then pouted and said, "Lettie, can't you just blow and kiss the boo-boo away?"

If his subordinates at the office were to see him now, they would probably think that their usual stern and stoic-faced CEO was somehow possessed by a ghost.

"You're already an adult. Have you no shame?"

Scarlett then walked over to him, making sure to shield his view from the cut-up pieces of clothing in the trash can.

After retrieving his documents, Joachim kissed Scarlett on the forehead again. "I'm off to work now. I'll be back in the afternoon."

A short while after he left, Katrina sent Scarlett a new text message. "Come find your hubby at Grande Hotel. Get ready for a wonderful show!"

Scarlett remained silent. So, every time Joachim told her he was off to work, he was actually off to visit Katrina.

She knew very well that whatever she saw at the hotel would break her if she were to witness it, but she still chose to go.

As it turned out, it was the twins' birthday that day, and Joachim's parents and friends were all there to celebrate.

They were celebrating at the hotel with a huge ceremony. The waiters and waitresses on duty all addressed Katrina as "Mrs. Davidson", and Joachim never corrected them. He just exchanged glances with Katrina and smiled at her. His eyes were twinkling with warmth.

Joachim's parents were also smiling at Katrina in a way that Scarlett had never, ever seen before.

"If it weren't for Trina, I'd never be enjoying my life now like this," Amanda said. "Joachim, you're not allowed to make Trina sad, understand? You must always treat her well. Got it?"

Joachim smiled and nodded. "When have I ever mistreated her? I've given her everything Scarlett also has—designer clothing, jewelry sets, and all sorts of collectors' items. I always make sure to prepare two sets of everything!"

Scarlett initially thought that she would be able to accept whatever was thrown at her with a calm attitude, but when Joachim said that, she felt as though a bomb had gone off in her head. All the love she once had for him had been blown into smithereens, which cut deep into her heart. She was left with a bloody, gory aftermath.

So, everyone knew about this.

And, for a long time, what Scarlett always thought was exclusive to both of them was never the case after all.

Katrina had everything she had.

In fact, Katrina even had everything Scarlett never had.