Chapter 7
Bradley didn’t want Maisy to suffer even a little, so he lied to me and hurt me over and over. It was all to protect the woman he truly loved.
“You… Man. I don’t even know what to say,” Connor sighed. “You’ve done so much for Maisy.
“When she was sick, you got her medicine. When she needed money, you wired it to her. When she cried, you were there to comfort her. When she smiled, you were happier than
she was.
“And you didn’t just take Alice’s mom’s heart to save Maisy back then. You scattered her ashes too just to make sure her spirit wouldn’t turn into a vengeful ghost and come after Maisy. Alice probably still doesn’t know that the grave she visits every year is empty.”
Frowning, Bradley turned toward the window. “I admit to everything I’ve done, and I’ll accept any consequence. Even if I’m haunted for the rest of my life, so be it. But Maisy is innocent. She scares easily. I don’t want her to be frightened.”
I stood outside the door, frozen. Every word he spoke felt like a knife, slicing through me and leaving my heart in tatters.
I didn’t go inside. Instead, I turned around and left.
By the time I stepped out of the building, rain was pouring from the sky. I walked in a daze, numb to the cold. Bradley’s words kept echoing in my ears.
Mom’s ashes were scattered. They were gone forever.
There was an old belief that if the dead weren’t properly buried, their souls would never rest in peace.
I couldn’t understand. What kind of hatred did Bradley have for me to go through so much trouble just to deceive me?
Everything I learned today shattered me completely.
I had known him for so many years. Did anything he ever said or did come from a place of sincerity? Or had it all been a lie?
If he loved Maisy, he could have pursued her openly. Why resort to such despicable methods?
Was I nothing more than a stepping stone in his twisted love story?
I was shaking, chilled to the bone. By the time I stumbled back home, I barely felt like I was in my own body.
I pushed open the door and found Bradley already there.
Seeing me like this, he panicked.
He hurriedly took off his coat and draped it over me, then rushed to have the maids prepare warm water for a bath.
At this moment, he was as attentive and gentle as ever, slipping right back into the role of a perfect husband.
“What’s wrong, Alice? Why did you cry so badly?”
I took a shaky breath, then forced a bitter smile.
“It’s nothing. I just watched a drama. The female lead had it so rough. I got a little too invested and took a walk in the rain to clear my head.”
Bradley ruffled my hair. His tone was a mix of indulgence and helplessness as he said, “You’re about to give birth. Don’t watch sad shows. They’ll affect your mood.”
Then he crouched down and pressed his ear against my stomach to hear the baby’s heartbeat.
After a long pause, his voice held a note of confusion. “Why can’t I hear the baby’s heartbeat lately? They used to be so active, always kicking me.”
I stayed silent for a long time before finally asking, “Bradley, are you looking forward to this baby?”
Without hesitation, he stood and wrapped me in a tight embrace. “Of course I am. This is our baby–the proof of our love. Alice, I’ve bought out the city’s amusement parks. When they’re born, all of them will be named after our child.”
“Theard newborns need a special keepsake, so I had a custom silver rattle made. And on their birthday, I’ve arranged for your favorite fireworks. They’ll light up the sky for three whole days, and everyone will celebrate with us.”
He kissed my forehead, as if he were truly envisioning the future.
“I love you, Alice. Of course, I’ll love our child too. The three of us will cook together, go to the park, and travel the world. Don’t you think we’ll be so happy?“
I looked at hini, my eyes empty. I felt nothing.
I knew that not a single word he said was worth believing, Everything he’d said was a complete lie.
Chapter 8
