Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Daniel knew how much my parents favored my sister. He knew how much I had suffered my whole life, and he knew how desperately I needed his unwavering love.
Yet he still cast me aside to be Victoria’s hero.
This studio held my heart and my dreams. The sense of accomplishment from every finished piece still lingered in the air, but now that feeling was being devoured, bit by bit, about to vanish forever.
Soon, my art studio was gone, replaced by a room cluttered with jars and bottles—just like my life, completely invaded by Victoria.
In a corner, a forgotten snapshot of me lay on the floor.
When Daniel saw it, he quietly walked over, picked it up, and carefully tucked it into his wallet.
Back at the advertising agency, a subordinate reported to Daniel that I hadn’t shown up for work in days. As the creative director, I hadn’t even submitted the proposal for a major project we had landed.
Daniel’s face darkened instantly. He whipped out his phone and furiously called me, only to be greeted by a cold, automated message.
For the first time, he lost his temper in front of his employees. He shot up from his chair and swept all the papers from his desk onto the floor.
In the end, he fired me for “unexcused absence” and appointed Victoria, who knew nothing about creative work, as the new creative director.
In the office, Daniel finally succumbed to Victoria’s advances.
They tangled together frantically on the very desk where I had once poured out my creativity. Victoria’s legs wrapped tightly around Daniel’s waist, her moans turning my stomach.
I stood beside them, a wave of nausea washing over me. I subconsciously cradled my stomach, a wave of utter humiliation washing over me.
I was one month pregnant.
I had been planning to give him the biggest surprise of his life. But now, my unborn baby and I were both just wandering spirits.
Over the next few days, Daniel messaged me like a madman, demanding to know where I was.
Perhaps the thrill of the affair was wearing off, and a sense of unease was setting in. Each message was a desperate plea, begging me to come back.
But I was dead. How could I possibly reply?
“Darling, what are you thinking about?” Victoria had appeared at his side.
Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes bright. She didn’t look like someone with leukemia at all.
But Daniel seemed to be blind.
Hearing her voice, Daniel flinched like he’d been caught doing something wrong and quickly closed our chat window.
He turned to embrace her, but his gaze suddenly fell on her wrist.
“Isn’t that Emily’s bracelet? How did you get it?” he asked.
“Is it? What a coincidence. I saw it online and bought it because I thought it was pretty.”
Daniel’s brow furrowed. He had given me that silver bracelet in college. It wasn’t expensive, but I had worn it every single day since.
A flash of panic crossed Victoria’s eyes. She quickly changed the subject. “Darling, we have to celebrate today. I’m pregnant! My parents have a big Thanksgiving dinner waiting for us at home. Let’s go!”
I watched them leave, my hand subconsciously going to my own empty wrist.
The man who killed me had ripped that bracelet from my wrist. Now, an identical one adorned Victoria’s.
How could I believe that was just a coincidence? My death was definitely connected to Victoria.
“Daniel, Victoria is risking her life to have this baby for you. You have to be good to the child!”
“You must treat Victoria well…”
At the dinner table, my parents looked at Victoria’s “gaunt” face, their hearts aching so much they were nearly in tears.
