Chapter 4

Asher didn't deny it. But when the clerk showed him the latest styles, he suddenly said, "I want that ring you can only buy once."

The clerk seemed genuinely happy for me. She handed Asher that ring and said, "Your wife wanted this last time. She'll be thrilled to receive it."

"By the way, Mr. Asher, we can engrave the ring. Would you like that?"

My heart pounded. Though Asher caused my death, I had loved him for so long. I needed to know if he had even the slightest affection for me, just a tiny bit.

"Engrave Cola."

When Asher's words came, my heart shattered completely.

The clerk thought it was my initials and cheerfully went to engrave it. Asher waited with an indifferent expression.

But I was truly dead. My body and heart were gone.

Yet for some reason, I was still bound to Asher, unable to leave.

How cruel of fate, to have me killed by them, then watch their love unfold even in death.

Is this my punishment for being blind and giving my heart to the wrong person?

As soon as Asher spoke, my heart, which had been anxiously suspended, shattered into pieces.

The shop assistant mistakenly thought it was my name and eagerly went to have it engraved. Meanwhile, Asher waited with a detached demeanor.

I was the only one truly gone—my life ended, and my spirit crushed.

Yet, inexplicably, I remained bound to Asher, unable to leave.

How cruel the universe is, to let me be harmed by them, and even in death, force me to witness their affection.

Is this my punishment for misplacing my trust and heart in the wrong person?

After the engraving was done, Asher casually picked up a necklace, paid, and left.

When we returned home, Cora feigned worry, "Asher, Adeline still hasn't come back. Do you think something might have happened?"

Perhaps surprised I wasn't home, Asher paused momentarily before relaxing.

"She's probably just being stubborn. Don't worry about her. She has no family here; she'll come back eventually."

I was shocked by Asher's words. Only now did I realize my journey for love, crossing mountains and seas, was just a gamble to him, certain I wouldn't leave.

No wonder!

No wonder he dared to openly bring Cora home, convinced that I couldn't survive without him.

Cora blamed herself, "I shouldn't have come here. Otherwise, Adeline wouldn't be upset, affecting your relationship."

Her self-reproachful expression made Asher feel incredibly tender towards her, comforting her with an arm around her shoulders, "It's not your fault. I never had feelings for her. I only married her because she seemed suitable for daily life."

Cora wanted to continue, but Asher cut her off.

"Let's not talk about these unlucky things. I got you a birthday gift. Come see if you like it?"

Asher spoke as if I were the misfortune, completely forgetting that Cora had broken up with him initially because she despised his job.

I couldn't help but laugh at myself, watching as Cora easily got the ring I had desperately desired.

When she put it on, it was a bit tight, and her touched expression froze.

"Asher, did you get the wrong size? This isn't my size?"

Asher felt a bit frustrated. The shop assistant assumed the ring was for me and used my size. Asher, concerned about his pride, couldn't admit it was for someone else.

He had to swallow this bitter pill.

Their unhappiness lightened the weight in my chest. Even in death, Asher was my unresolved issue.

In the end, to maintain appearances, Cora placed the ring, meant for her ring finger, on her pinky and forced a smile, "Maybe I've gained weight recently. A different finger works."

Their awkwardness dissipated. To make it up to her, Asher went to the kitchen to cook, while Cora stormed into the room and stomped on the newly bought ring, her face dark.

"Adeline, you bothered me alive, and now in death, you won't let me be. Didn't you care most about Asher? I'll show you how he becomes mine."

I saw her take out a small bottle from a locked drawer, piecing together her words...

A sense of foreboding arose.

"Cora, dinner's ready!"

Asher's voice called out, and Cora, clutching the bottle, went to the living room.

"Asher, I have some fine wine. Let's have a drink."

She suggested gently, and Asher suspected nothing, continuing to bring dishes to the table.

I saw Cora pour the contents of the bottle into the wine behind his back.

As they drank, their figures became suggestive. After a few sips, Asher's eyes turned hazy, and he kept murmuring, "Cora... Cora..."

They say you speak the truth when drunk. Asher really never had me in his heart.

The next moment, Cora coaxed him into our room, half-undressed on the wedding bed I had chosen. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see, but the sounds still reached my ears.

My hatred reached its peak. I hated the injustice of fate, hated Asher's heartlessness, hated Cora's malice, and hated myself more for being unable to avenge myself.

I curled up in the living room, head buried, when suddenly there was a knock at the door late at night.

Asher opened the door, and the person outside said with a sorrowful expression, "Professor Asher, my condolences."

Before he could speak, they handed him an urn and a peace amulet necklace.

It was the one I had spent a month's salary on to get for Asher when he first started his job. Because of Cora's one remark about it being ugly, he had thrown it away, and I had later picked it up again.

"We found this among the deceased's belongings yesterday. I remember Adeline treasured it. Professor Asher, is this right?"