Chapter 2

Lincoln stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

I sneered, thinking that this was nothing in comparison with what he'd done to the original Carissa.

I wasn't happy for too long, though. I suddenly felt a surge of warmth in my nose, and it smelled metallic. I hurriedly wiped my nose with some tissue. I only realized there was blood all over it when I looked at it.

I'd almost forgotten that Carissa had just been diagnosed with bone cancer. She only had ten months to live, but she'd actually thought about sleeping with Lincoln once more so she could fall pregnant. Then, she would leave and have the child be the final witness to their marriage.

What a fool.

I wanted to tell Carissa that someone like Lincoln wasn't worth any of that. The forceful tone I'd taken with him earlier was the opposite of Carissa, who obeyed his every command.

We were polar opposites, yet Lincoln hadn't noticed anything different. It was clear that Carissa meant nothing to him. He wasn't worthy of her love!

I went upstairs and picked out an expensive custom-made dress from the wardrobe. Then, I made myself up before grabbing my medical report and preparing to head to the hospital again.

Carissa loved Lincoln so much that she didn't bother maintaining her appearance. All she wanted to do was cook and clean for him. Even after being diagnosed with bone cancer, she'd ignored the doctor's advice. Lincoln was all she could think about.

I wasn't the original Carissa, though. I had to live differently. Now, the first thing I had to do was survive in this novel. I had to go to the hospital and undergo surgery to cure myself. I had to remain alive so I could slowly torment Lincoln and Suzanne.

I opened the front door, but before I could step out, a figure lunged at me.

"I was the one who did you wrong, Carrie. Don't blame Linc for this! I'm already pregnant with his child, so please, agree to the divorce! I'll do anything as long as you agree—even death!"

Suzanne wore a white dress. She wept while kneeling before me and clinging to my legs. It was as if I owed her something when, in truth, she'd stolen my husband.

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. You'll do anything, right? Get rid of the child and slap yourself, then. I'll forgive you after that!" I crossed my arms and icily watched her performance.

She looked at me tearfully, seemingly surprised that her act had failed. "The baby is innocent, Carrie. I can do anything you want, but the baby is Linc's. I can't hurt it…"

Her weeping grew louder, making it seem like I'd genuinely bullied her.

Carissa had gotten three abortions for Lincoln's sake. For the first two times, he'd dragged her to the hospital and forced her into it. But for the third and last time, she'd done it without his knowledge.

My eyes prickled at the thought of that. A burst of strength surged in me. I broke free of Suzanne's grip and spoke to her harshly, "You said you were willing to do anything, even if it cost you your life, right? Go to hell, then. I'll sign the divorce papers and have them buried with you during your funeral."

"How can you be so cruel, Carissa? How can you want me to die when I'm pregnant? You're a murderer!" Suzanne's face twisted with rage as she snapped at me. She'd finally revealed her true colors.

I was cruel? I was a murderer? I was stunned. She was great at twisting the truth, wasn't she?

"Drop your act around me if you don't have the nerve to end your life. You disgust me—get the hell out of my way!" I sidestepped her to leave.

To my surprise, she fell backward and rolled down two steps. Then, she cried out in pain and screamed, "Why did you push me, Carrie? How could you be so cruel? My stomach hurts…"