Chapter 2

Despite ghosts not needing to breathe, my chest constricted at the sight as if I would be locked in that suffocating space again.

At the same time, Hadden continued to comfort Julia with an arm wrapped around her waist.

"It's going to be alright. Eat more, okay? You've gotten skinnier again. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Look how much skinner you've got. What's a few days of starvation to that fatso anyway?

"I can't believe she would dare do such a thing to you! I won't let her out until she apologizes and learns her lesson."

I watched silently, heartbroken from where I stood behind him. I wanted to cry, but there were no tears left.

The fact that I had suffocated and struggled for my life in the pool meant nothing to him, not when compared to the few gulps of pool water Julia had choked on.

I could not swim, and I could not get out.

It was ridiculous to think that I was still begging him to let me out until my dying breath, pleading with him to let me live. It was all for naught.

All he did was laugh as I pushed against the metal cover with everything I had.

"Why'd you let Julia choke on the water if you're so scared of drowning? I'm only giving you a taste of your own medicine!"

I remembered looking around the pool, terrified. I remembered admitting to anything he accused me of, hoping that would get him to let me out.

But he didn't.

Right before I lost consciousness, I heard him order someone to solder the metal cover on the pool for good so that I would 'learn the consequences of my actions'.

There was nothing I could do but stare helplessly as he locked the outside world away from me.

Then, blood began to pool from under me, and it did not stop.

Hadden made sure Julia was pleased again before he ordered his assistant to retrieve my body.

"Release Felicia and clean her up before you bring her here. I don't want to scare Julia."

If you looked at Hadden's face, you would think he was offering me a benevolent gift.

Upon receiving his orders, his assistant quickly went to gather the necessary men.

Julia did not move from her spot as she swung Hadden's arm sweetly.

"Don't scold Felicia anymore when she comes out, okay? You two are still husband and wife, after all. You're going to spend the rest of your life with her. I don't want things to be awkward between you two."

Hadden looked at her with adoration before pulling her close and kissing her softly on the forehead.

"Don't worry. She wouldn't dare. You wouldn't have choked on the water if she hadn't pushed you into the pool. I can't even imagine how scary that must've been for you.

"You're being too forgiving with her, Julia. She keeps taking advantage of your kindness because she knows you're soft."

Hadden sounded furious as if I were the one who had done something unforgivable.

All of this sounded like a cruel joke.

Julia was the one who came to me last week. She was the one who taunted me. "I heard you're pregnant now, but so what? One word from me, and I can make sure that kid never sees the light of day."

I did not want to talk to her, so I went to my room upstairs. I did not know she went to the pool downstairs, threw herself inside, and called Hadden while crying.

"Hadden! I've always known that Felicia didn't like me, but I didn't think she hated me so much that she'd push me into the pool! I was so scared. But… if my death is all it would take for both of your happiness, I think it's a small sacrifice I'm willing to make.

"Be happy, Hadden."