Chapter 4

After returning home, I gathered all the things Dashiell had given me over the years.

Those gifts that had once moved me so deeply, upon closer inspection, were nothing more than add-ons to rack up points for Elena's purchases.

And then there were the photos.

Dashiell holding my hand, yet his gaze never landing on me.

Instead, it was as if he was looking through the lens, reminiscing about something else.

Fighting back the heartache, I threw everything into the trash.

Along with Dashiell's love, purging it all from my world.

By the time I finished, daylight had broken.

Dashiell still hadn't returned, but his assistant had delivered numerous gifts.

The assistant smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Shaw is deeply in love with you, ma'am. He's too tied up with work to get away, but he still thought to send you presents."

I remained silent. After he left, I opened a string of messages Elena had sent me.

There was a video of Dashiell carrying her to the hospital.

Photos of Dashiell massaging her feet.

The latest one showed the two of them in a church.

Suddenly, I remembered when Dashiell had first rescued me, how I'd spend entire nights sleepless from fear.It was him who searched everywhere to find soothing incense for me, staying by my side night after night, just like when I was little.

For the sake of that emotional bond, I decided to give him one last chance.

I made a video call to Dashiell.

After hanging up three times, he finally answered.

"Felicity, I know you're still angry with me. I didn't know what to do, so I came to the temple where we first met to pray for your well-being. Look, I wrote this myself."

He held up a red silk banner in front of me, with "Wishing Felicity and baby safety" scrawled on it.

I interrupted him, "I'm not feeling well. Can you come keep me company?"

"What's wrong? Is the baby okay? I'll have my assistant take you to the hospital right away. I have a really important meeting coming up that I can't get out of..."

Faced with this expected response, I felt no sadness.

I calmly ended the call and began to execute my plan to fake my death.

On the way to the airport, Elena kept sending me messages.

"Don't you dare try to use the baby to lure Dashiell away from me. All the men around you, the ones you love, they're all mine!""You and that bastard in your belly combined aren't as important as I am. Don't think Dashiell was really praying for your well-being. That's just an excuse to fool a simpleton like you."

"During the time I was sick, Dashiell sought blessings for me at every church, donating millions in offerings. He never once thought of you while doing all of this."

I opened the video she sent.

What caught my eye were large swaths of red silk fluttering in the wind.

The vibrant red stretched endlessly, covered with blessings for Elena.

Every word was tender, brimming with boundless love.

Then, a conversation between the two of them played in the video.

Elena asked him, "Dashiell, I'm so scared. I heard that giving blood transfusions to the mother can reduce the risks during surgery, but Felicity just gave birth. What if something unexpected happens..."

"Don't be afraid. I'll sign the consent form for her when the time comes. Life and death are predetermined; whether she pulls through depends on her own fate."

He added, as if reassuring himself:

"She managed to survive a war-torn country. Giving a little blood shouldn't be anything for her. She'll be fine."

Finally, there was Dashiell's confession of love."Elena, for you, I've sacrificed a lifetime of happiness."

"I've given Felicity status and happiness. I owe her nothing. The only regret in my life is not being able to be with you. If there's a next life, I hope you'll give me a chance."

Such deep and passionate love could move anyone.

If I wasn't the one being sacrificed, I think I might have been touched too.

But at this moment, I just emotionlessly turned off my phone and boarded the plane.

Meanwhile, a piece of news that shocked the entire internet shot to the top of the trending list.

"Doting husband Dashiell's wife dies in car accident, pregnant at time of death. Suspected to have been troubled by love, died on the way to catch her husband cheating."