Chapter 4

Despite my efforts, the rabbit passed away after just three days. I should have recognized then that you can't force something that's not meant to be yours. Yet, I stubbornly and innocently tried to cling to Keith's affection.

While Keith visited the doctor, Sadie remained composed by the bed, her eyes fixed on me.

She was unlike me—her countenance bore a serene and graceful smile, and her impeccable cosmetics radiated a sophisticated charm. "Zoey? That's a lovely name, but it's unfortunate you're not favored by fortune."

I knitted my brows, perplexed by her statement.

She extended her hand in the light and snickered, "See this? It's just a minor scratch, barely piercing the skin, yet Keith became frantic and hurried me to the hospital. He demanded scans and blood work—worried about infection. Truthfully, by the time we finished, the wound was likely healing already. So, it's understandable that he couldn't fetch you that garlic bread and cream soup from Candor Street, isn't it?"

"How are you aware of the garlic bread and cream soup?" I inquired, taken aback.

Sadie gazed at me teasingly, contempt in her expression. "Why wouldn't I be? Those were comfort foods Keith would procure for me whenever I was ill before I left for abroad. You see, even after all this time, some habits persist."

My fingers gripped the blanket more tightly, eventually digging into my palm. As a woman, I couldn't miss the taunt in her words. My numb heart suddenly stirred with a desire to retaliate.

I scoffed. "Yet he's still betrothed to me. He's my fiancé. Whatever he did for you previously is irrelevant now. You're merely someone dwelling on past fantasies."

Sadie didn't react angrily. Instead, she leaned in close and whispered, "Do you know why Keith agreed to be engaged to you?"

I bit my lip, stubbornly refusing to concede despite lacking an answer. "Obviously, it's because he loves me."

Her crimson lips curved into a mocking grin and her cold fingers grazed my cheek. "Six years ago, Keith professed his feelings for me three days before agreeing to be engaged to you, but I turned him down. I told him I disliked dating younger men. I advised him to find a younger girl, have some fun, and then return to me. I never imagined he'd actually do it. Isn't that amusing?"

As anguish welled up in my heart, I stood up and shoved Sadie to the floor with all my might. I yelled, "Then why did you come back? Leave! Get out!"

Before Sadie could reply, Keith's furious voice echoed behind me. "Zoey, what are you doing?"