Chapter 2

By the time I returned, William had already fallen asleep. After all, he had just been discharged from the hospital, and his body still needed to recover.

"Paige, don't worry. As long as Daniel's heart and William's body don't have any rejection, I will return William to you," Sarah said carefully, walking out of William's bedroom, giving me a firm promise.

But the very next day, Sarah collapsed and was hospitalized.

"Paige, you poisoned Sarah? You vicious woman!"

As I anxiously arrived at the hospital, what greeted me was a heavy slap from William.

"William, don't blame Paige. I ate something bad myself," Sarah said, her face pale, getting out of bed to stop William from unleashing his fury on me again.

Seeing Sarah was about to collapse, William, unable to care about me, hurriedly stepped forward and caught her in his arms.

"Sarah, you're too kind. You don't need to protect her!"

I covered my cheek, looking at William with pain in my eyes.

I thought, "William, do you even remember when you married me, you knelt in front of me, promising you'd never let anyone bully me? So, that didn't include yourself!"

Sarah stayed in the hospital for three days. Although the doctor suggested she could be discharged that day, William insisted on having the doctor prescribe three days' worth of nutrition fluids because he was worried.

I watched as William carefully cared for Sarah by her bedside, thinking, "Does he know that, during the days when he was unconscious, I took care of him just like this?"

"Paige, you got Sarah hospitalized. If you still have any conscience, you should take action to atone for it."

I thought, "Yes, as Sarah's close friend for four years, I know her eating habits well. I'm jealous of your love for Sarah, so I poisoned her food.

William, is that really what you think? But you're my husband."

I began caring for two frail patients, taking over all the household chores and meals at Sarah's home.

"Paige, I know you didn't do it on purpose. Maybe it was something I ate outside. Don't mind what William said," Sarah explained, looking guilty.

"Sarah, you know, William is my husband, at least for now."

I watched as Sarah's face turned pale instantly.

"Paige, stop with your dirty thoughts. Don't even think about it. If you dare to say anything to hurt Sarah again, you better watch out!" William warned, pulling Sarah protectively behind him with disgust.

I wearily took off my apron and laid it on the table.

"Even if you are Daniel inside, you can't escape the fact that your body is my husband, William."

I left Sarah's house, feeling overwhelmed by everything. I needed to pick up Coco.

Coco was a parrot I had raised. Ever since William had been hospitalized, I entrusted it to his friend, David.

"Liars, liars!"

As soon as I arrived outside David's door, I heard Coco's squawk.

"If I told you I'm actually Daniel, would you believe me?"

I looked at David, who was clearly annoyed, with a wry smile.

"David, what are you joking about? Or have you fallen for Sarah too?"

Feeling frustrated, I ignored him and picked up the birdcage, turning to leave.

"Why does it feel like everyone around me is bewitched?" I thought.

I took Coco to the park and walked with a stranger, an old man. For the first time, I felt relaxed.

My phone kept ringing, and fearing something might have happened to William, I quickly answered it.

"Paige, are you atoning for your sins like this? It's already this late and you're still not home to cook? Do you want Sarah to starve?"

William's furious voice came through the phone. I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Was he really implying that without me, they would starve to death?