Chapter 3

In the hospital’s back garden, the spring night was still a bit chilly, and a cold wind stirred, adding a bite to the air. The flick of a lighter sounded, and two glowing points of light appeared as smoke drifted, blurring their vision.

“So, Emma Xander’s back. What are you going to do?” Zac asked, breaking the silence. He didn’t mention Emily, but they both knew what he meant.

One woman was the college sweetheart, the first love who had once saved Justin’s life. The other was the girlfriend who had been with him for three years, sharing his most intimate moments, and now, his fiancée.

After a long pause, Justin replied, his voice cold and detached. “She was just a stand-in. She could never compare to Emma.”

He went on, his tone utterly indifferent, as if he hadn’t been the one to propose to Emily in Merika State. “The role of Mrs. Yates will never be hers. It can only belong to Emma.”

In a way, Emily had saved him the trouble of saying it himself when she had brought up their marriage in the hallway.

Zac and Justin had been close friends since childhood, both growing up in privileged families, each carrying a bit of that self-centered mindset typical of their social circle. But this time, Zac couldn’t help feeling sorry for Emily.

Emily, though an orphan with no family or wealth, was straightforward and honest. Over the past three years, she had complemented Justin perfectly, and in Zac’s eyes, they had seemed genuinely happy together.

On the other hand, considering how long Emma had been abroad, it wasn’t hard to guess what she might have gone through. Zac didn’t care about things like virginity or a woman’s past, but he had always found Emma to be somewhat pretentious. Even back in college, she often disregarded Justin’s concerns, running off on her own without a second thought.

After graduation, she mysteriously vanished during an overseas reunion party organized by a close group of alumni. Despite mobilizing every possible connection, they never found her. Even the police suggested they give up, implying that a young woman disappearing overseas was likely gone for good.

At that time, Justin hadn’t fully taken over the company and wasn’t yet experienced in handling crises like these. Around the same time, his father, Henry Yates, was in a car accident and died despite emergency treatment.

After the funeral, Justin was suddenly thrust into the dual responsibilities of inheriting the company and fending off his uncle, Harry Yates, who was trying to seize control. Thanks to his grandfather’s intervention, Justin managed to stabilize the corporation.

By then, the critical window to find Emma had long passed, and any chance of finding her had all but disappeared.

Zac clearly remembered how Justin had been consumed with frustration and self-blame during those days. And then Emily had come into his life, bringing him some peace. For that, Zac was truly grateful to her.

“Emily’s been with you for three years,” Zac said, trying to speak up for her. “She’s an orphan, with no one else in the world. Isn’t it a bit cruel to treat her like this?”

“Then I’ll keep her around,” Justin replied casually, brushing it off like it was no big deal. “But marriage? That’s not going to happen.” His tone was so offhanded, as if having another woman around didn’t matter at all. He didn’t see a problem with it.

Keep her around? Really?

Was he expecting her to stay hidden away as his stand-in lover, someone he kept out of sight? A mistress? A side piece?

Emily didn’t leave the hospital right away. She sat on a bench behind the flower bed, letting the cold night air wash over her. She hadn’t expected to find out the truth like this.

It turned out she was only here because she happened to look almost exactly like his lost one true love. And since she had lost her memory, he saw the perfect opportunity to mold her into the image of the woman he truly missed, hiding the truth from her and using her as a substitute.

All the affection and indulgence he had shown her, it was never really for her. It was for the woman he had lost.

Emma Xander.

So that was her name, the one he had loved all his life.

That was why he named her Emily, a name that allowed him to keep calling out for the one he had always loved.

Even in their most intimate moments, he would call her “Em.”

Whenever he whispered “Em” in that deep, seductive voice, full of passion, she would lose herself completely, sinking further into him.

It turned out he was simply looking at her face and calling out another woman’s name all along.

It dawned on her that the photo in Justin’s wallet must have been of Emma, not her. She had foolishly assumed the woman in that picture was herself.

What a joke.

From start to finish, Justin had shaped her into the image of his hidden love, his one true love. And she had naively believed that she had won him over, making him fall in love with her.

In truth, she was nothing more than a piece in their story.

Emily felt her heart plunge from a mountaintop to the depths of despair. She had gone from being a proud fiancée to a hidden stand-in, a shadow. She had liked, maybe even loved Justin. But her pride couldn’t accept that she had been someone else’s replacement all along, or that she was now the secret other woman.

Resolved to leave, she felt a small sense of relief that Justin had only proposed. They weren’t married yet, and breaking up would be far easier than going through a divorce. For a moment, she felt grateful for Emma’s sudden appearance.

“Miss Yates, where are you?” the driver called, stepping out of the car after waiting a while.

“I’m here.” Emily pulled herself from her thoughts, putting on her usual calm expression.

“Is it just you? Where’s Mr. Yates?” he asked.

“He’s not coming back.” Emily rose from the bench by the flower bed and walked back to the car with the driver.

She wore a cream-colored, knee-length dress in a sweet, innocent style. As an artist, she was open to trying any look, but it was Justin who had said he liked this style. So, for the past three years, she had dressed this way for him. The spring breeze brushed her bare calves, sending a chill through her.

On the other side of the flower bed, Justin took one last drag from his cigarette, then casually stubbed it out and tossed it into the trash.

Zac looked a bit uncomfortable, “Emily didn’t leave?”

So, she had heard everything they had said.

Justin’s movements were effortless and nonchalant as he disposed of the cigarette. His tone was just as indifferent, cold, and unfeeling. “Good. Let her hear it. She needs to know her place and avoid causing any more scenes like tonight.”

With that, he turned and walked away from the garden, completely unfazed by the fact that Emily had overheard him.

Emily sat quietly during the ride back to Villa One.

Mrs. Zimmer greeted her at the door, her face lighting up warmly after a few days apart. “You’re back! It must’ve been tiring, traveling with Mr. Yates.”

Emily nodded wearily, barely acknowledging her. “Yes.”

“Where’s Mr. Yates?” Mrs. Zimmer glanced behind her, looking for Justin.

“He won’t be back tonight.” Emily’s voice was detached, as if his return made no difference to her.

Mrs. Zimmer looked slightly disappointed at first, but then her face lit up with a knowing smile, the kind that came from having seen a lot in life. She took Emily’s suitcase and gently urged her to go get some rest in the bedroom.

Once inside, Emily understood Mrs. Zimmer’s smile.

The room was dimly lit, with candles arranged at various heights, casting a soft, romantic glow. Flowers and scented candles adorned the surfaces, and a bottle of champagne sat open on the table. Even the usual heavy gray curtains had been replaced with delicate lace, adding an air of intimacy.

The bed was covered in thick rose petals, the entire room transformed into a romantic setting. Clearly, this had been Justin’s arrangement before their trip.

Exhausted, Emily didn’t have the energy to clean up, and it was too late to bother Mrs. Zimmer.