Chapter 3

The next morning, I packed my bags and left the mansion.

As the car drove out of the tree-lined driveway, I glanced in the rearview mirror at the house I'd lived in for four years.

The morning mist hadn't lifted yet, and a dull, gray light enveloped the entire garden.

The garden was filled with red roses.

He'd had them flown in from France years ago, simply because I'd once said I liked them.

The golden boy of the city's elite social scene, a true scion of wealth, had spent months planting those nine hundred and ninety-nine roses with me, by hand.

Back then, to achieve maximum aesthetic appeal, he'd even stayed up late for nine nights, revising the rose layout himself.

I used to tease him. "You're such a perfectionist, even worse than me!"

He'd bent down and kissed my forehead. "That's because this is our home."

Our home.

I looked away, leaned back into the seat, and closed my eyes.

Now, his parade of mistresses never ended, and I was the only one left tending to the roses.

Our home had become their hotel.

I didn't go to my parents' place. Instead, I went directly to a private retreat in the suburbs.

The doctor was already waiting for me.

"According to current data, you show no signs of infection," he said, flipping through reports. "But for absolute safety, it's best if you avoid close contact with anyone for the next month."

"I understand," I nodded.

"As for Mr. Hayes..." he paused, not finishing his sentence.

"Just keep observing him," I finished for him. "Any results, let me know immediately."

I moved into a small house at the very back of the retreat.

My daily life was simple and routine: follow-ups, medication, reading, walks.

It felt like patiently waiting for a countdown.

On the seventh night, Keith called me.

It was the first time he'd contacted me since I left.

When I answered, the background was noisy, like a business dinner.

"Where are you?" he asked, his tone a little impatient.

"My parents' place," I said calmly.

"Why haven't you replied to my messages? He sounded annoyed. "I haven't been feeling well these past few days; maybe I'm just tired. When are you coming back?"

"I'm not sure," I said softly. "I still need to take care of my mother."

He was clearly displeased but kept his temper in check. "Alright, well, take care of yourself then."

Before hanging up, he added, "Oh, by the way, Chloe has been discharged. She doesn't know anyone in the city, so I've let her stay here for a few days. She's in your bedroom. So don't be surprised when you get back, and don't overthink it."

I hummed in acknowledgment.

Of course, I wouldn't overthink it.

Because that, originally, was the perfect place I had chosen for them.

Four more days passed.

This time, it was his assistant who called me.

Ryan's voice on the phone was frantic.

"Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Hayes is in trouble."

My fingers tightened around the phone.

"What happened to him?"

"He had a high fever all last night that wouldn't break. This morning, he was rushed to the hospital. The doctors... the doctors said the situation is a bit complicated and asked for a family member to come in as soon as possible."

I was silent for two seconds.

"Which hospital?"

Ryan gave me the address. It was the same one Chloe had been in.

"I understand," I said. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

After hanging up, I sat on the edge of the bed, looking out at the quiet lawn.

The sun was bright. Too bright for anything bad to be happening.

The doctor knocked and came in.

He looked at me. "Are you going out?"

"Yes," I stood up. "To see my husband."

He looked like he wanted to say more, but in the end, he only said, "Please be careful."

I smiled, putting on my mask.

"Don't worry."

I valued my life more than anyone.