Chapter 3

After he spoke, he watched Asher intently, but Asher just frowned and stood up.

"Must be a coincidence. Adeline's worthless. Who would go to such lengths to kill her?"

Gideon couldn't respond, so he agreed, "It must be a coincidence. Your wife hardly ever leaves the house. How could anything happen to her?"

They covered my body with a white cloth and called for it to be taken for cremation.

Perhaps the resemblance disturbed Asher. After my body left, he followed shortly after.

Several times, his car almost hit the guardrail.

Eventually, he pulled over and called Cora.

"Cora, Adeline... she's at home, right?"

Cora pretended to be jealous, huffing, "Why do you always ask about Adeline? You afraid I'll eat her or something?"

As Asher anxiously explained, she laughed, "I'm just teasing. Adeline's your wife. You're supposed to care about her. Why would I be jealous?"

"Don't worry, she was with me just now. She's probably out shopping."

Cora lied effortlessly. Trusting her completely, Asher was reassured. After a few sweet words, he hung up and headed to the mall.

Watching him walk, I recalled wanting that unique ring before our wedding. Asher berated me in public.

"It's just a gimmick meant to fool idiots like you."

The salesperson's expression was unpleasant, and I felt humiliated under their gazes, like a cold splash of water on a chilly spring day.

That was my first hint that I might just be a substitute for Cora. Asher didn't love me.

But I loved him from the moment he stood in front of me. So I swallowed my pride, smoothed things over, and bought a simple wedding band.

Why was he here now?

Was he finally feeling guilty after my death? Trying to make amends this way?

I followed Asher to the store. Maybe it left a strong impression, because the clerk remembered him.

"Mr. Asher, are you picking a gift for your wife?"

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