Chapter 5

Dashiell, you saved my life when I was twenty.

Now, I'm giving this life back to you.

Entering the hospital room, it was filled with iron-rich soup that Auntie had sent.

I managed to eat a few bites before drifting off to sleep without realizing it.

I dreamed of the day I first met Dashiell. Back then, my appearance and personality were worlds apart from Melody's.

At that time, he described me with every beautiful word he could think of.

When did things start to change?

It was when he said I was too lively and energetic, lacking the grace of a socialite's wife, and sent me to etiquette classes.

It was when he said I couldn't cook, and sent me abroad to study culinary arts.

It was when he said my eyes were too small and my face too big, and told me to get plastic surgery.

It was after my plastic surgery when he called me a plastic surgery freak.

I watched as one woman after another appeared by his side, some with noses like Melody's, others with eyes like Melody's.