Chapter 2

Someone timidly said:

"Caelan, I heard that the small island you took Lavender to is somewhere near these coordinates..."

Caelan's brows furrowed so tightly they could tie into a knot.

Faye's eyes flashed as she reached out to grasp Caelan's fingers, gently swaying them:

"There must be many similar islands, but this skeleton is really complete, like a model from a hospital."

Caelan snapped back to reality and sneered:

"Lavender previously pretended to have heart disease to deceive people, and now she's even found a skeleton model to scare me. She's really got too much free time on her hands. I've been letting her enjoy herself too much!"

Turning his head, he ordered his assistant:

"From now on, you are not allowed to agree to Lavender's unreasonable requests! I've said to just give her basic survival supplies, yet you still indulge her nonsense!"

The assistant broke out in a cold sweat, nodding in agreement.

I know why he's feeling guilty.

After abandoning me on the deserted island, Caelan left without hesitation by helicopter.

Exhausted in body and mind, my artificial heart couldn't bear the strain.

I had just taken out my medication, intending to take it.

It was this assistant who kicked my life-saving medicine, sending it rolling into the sea, and said with a look of disgust:

"Mr. Shaw is right, you really are quite the drama queen, still pretending to have heart disease!" "You're going to die alone on this godforsaken island, you know that? Mr. Shaw's gonna make babies with Miss Yates. No way in hell they're coming back for you!"

With that parting shot and a look of utter disgust, he led everyone off the deserted island.

In the end, I clawed at the ground in agony, my fingertips raw and bloody. My heart gave out, and I died a miserable death in a foreign land.

My corpse was left to the elements, battered by wind and rain, torn apart by birds of prey.

Even now, I can almost feel that vice-like grip on my heart.

Caelan's mood suddenly soured for reasons unknown.

His expression turned cold as he tucked Faye's hand back under the covers and started ushering people out.

"Everyone, clear out. Faye needs her rest."

The others exchanged puzzled glances before filing out of the hospital room.

Faye called out to Caelan, pleading:

"Caelan, please stay and watch the baby. I heard having dad around helps prevent seizures."

Since it was a natural birth, Faye would be discharged in a couple of days.

Caelan expertly cradled the baby, about to hand the child over to Cora.

But suddenly, Cora's eyes welled up with tears, which fell onto the baby's face.Caelan was suddenly at a loss, carefully wiping away Cora's tears and gently coaxing her:

"You shouldn't cry right after giving birth, Sweetpea will worry about you."

Cora grabbed Caelan's hand as he wiped her tears, pleading:

"Caelan, I want to stay at your place for a few days. I want our child to know how their father lives."

"Don't worry, I know my boundaries. I won't touch anything in the house, and Lavender will never know I've been there!"

Caelan pursed his lips, conflicted.

Faye then clutched her chest, weakly saying through tears:

"Caelan, I don't have much time left. There aren't many chances left for me to be with you and our son. Can you give me this opportunity?"

After a long moment, Caelan finally nodded slowly.

I saw Faye's face light up with cunning satisfaction.

I lowered my head and smiled bitterly.

Caelan and I had once agreed that we would never bring outsiders into our little home, no matter what.

Now he was letting Faye waltz right in.

Indeed, she had always been the exception.

As soon as the door opened, the little dog in the house rushed to welcome Caelan.

Noticing the stranger, it immediately became alert, barking loudly and positioning itself protectively behind Caelan. The baby burst into tears, scared by the dog's barking.

Caelan frowned:

"Buddy, be a good boy!"

Faye, however, smiled gently, the warmth not reaching her eyes:

"It's alright, Caelan. I love puppies too."

As she spoke, she crouched down and ruffled Buddy's head.

Buddy had always been gentle; his barking was just his way of scaring people off, so he didn't bite Faye's hand.

Caelan couldn't help but marvel:

"Faye, you're still as kind-hearted as ever."

Only I could see clearly that Faye's palm was clutching a handful of yellowish-white dog hair.

How much pain Buddy must be in!

Hearing Buddy's painful whimper, Caelan's expression changed as he coldly said:

"It's just that this dog, like its owner, can turn on its master at any moment!"

He pulled Faye away, carrying the child as they left.

Meanwhile, Buddy remained crouched by the door, looking dejected, chewing on the bouncy ball I used to play with him, as if waiting for me.

I felt a lump in my throat.

Though Buddy was just a little mutt, he was the stray we had rescued together during my courtship with Caelan. At that time, it had just been born and abandoned. Caelan and I took turns staying up all night to feed it milk, raising it as if it were our own child.

It still didn't know that its mother would never return.

After going upstairs, Caelan handed the baby to the nanny, then called over the butler and gave detailed instructions:

"Mr. Channing, Faye can't handle spicy food at all and doesn't eat green onions, ginger, or garlic. Make sure the kitchen is aware of this. Also, she can only sleep on silk sheets and pillowcases, otherwise she'll break out in a rash..."

Caelan rattled on, recalling Faye's preferences with remarkable precision, as if they had lived together for a long time.

I was already jealous of his childhood sweetheart relationship with Faye, but now I realize I had underestimated it.

Faye, unaware of all this, made an excuse to use the bathroom and quietly snuck into Caelan and my bedroom.

Buddy, seeing a stranger enter his parents' room, tilted his head and followed Faye upstairs.

Faye looked at the wedding photo of Caelan and me on the desk with a mocking expression, then picked up the utility knife and slashed at my face in the picture. Noticing Buddy biting at her skirt hem, Faye was startled.

In the next instant, her expression turned vicious as she kicked out forcefully.

Buddy was just a small ten-pound dog. The heavy kick sent him flying into the wall before he fell to the ground.

His limbs twitched a few times, blood spreading from the corner of his mouth as he whimpered softly.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head as I rushed to Buddy's side, but I could only pass through his body repeatedly.

Faye's delicate and cute face twisted with malice.

She sneered mockingly:

"Loyal dog, huh? Then I'll send you to meet your owner in heaven! I'm the only mistress of this house!"

I stood there stunned.

Faye actually knew I was already dead.

Could the assistant be working for her?

Recalling the assistant's disgust towards me and her relentless efforts to smear my image, I clenched my fists.

Just then, Caelan walked into the room, having heard the commotion.

His eyes immediately fell on Buddy, still twitching slightly at the base of the wall.