Chapter 2

Someone timidly said:

"Declan, I heard the island you took Nora to is around those coordinates…"

Declan's frown could tie knots.

Lydia's eyes glinted, and she gently grabbed Declan's fingers, shaking them slightly:

"There are many similar islands, right? But this skeleton is so intact, like a model from a hospital."

Declan snapped back, coldly laughing:

"Hah, Nora used to fake heart disease to deceive people. Now she found a skeleton model to scare me. She sure has time on her hands. I let her live too comfortably!"

Turning to his assistant, he ordered:

"From now on, don't entertain Nora's unreasonable demands! Just provide basic survival supplies, no more playing along with her antics!"

The assistant, sweating bullets, nodded obediently.

I knew why he was guilty.

After leaving me on the isolated island, Declan left without hesitation on a helicopter.

Exhausted, my artificial heart couldn't take it.

I reached for my medication.

It was this assistant who kicked my lifesaving pills into the sea, disdainfully saying:

"Declan is right. You're such a drama queen, still acting like you have heart disease!"

"Just live out your days on this island. Declan and Lydia are having a baby. No way he'd bring you back!"

After that, he left the island with everyone, leaving me to die in agony.

I clawed at the ground, my fingers bloody, heart stopped, dying in a foreign land.

My body was exposed to the elements, pecked by birds of prey.

Thinking about it now, that feeling of a heart being crushed seems so vivid.

Declan's mood inexplicably soured.

Expression cold, he tucked Lydia's hand back under the covers, starting to usher people out.

"You all should leave. Lydia is tired."

The crowd exchanged looks, leaving the room.

Lydia called out to Declan, pleading:

"Declan, stay and watch over the baby. They say with a father's protection, babies are less likely to startle."

Since it was a natural birth, Lydia could get out of bed and leave the hospital in a few days.

Declan, holding the baby skillfully, was about to hand him to Lydia.

But Lydia's eyes suddenly welled with tears, falling onto the baby's face.

Declan was immediately flustered, carefully wiping Lydia's tears, gently comforting her:

"Don't cry after just giving birth, little one will worry about you."

"Please, everyone, leave the room now; Lydia is tired."

The group exchanged looks and quietly exited the hospital room.

Lydia stopped Declan, earnestly saying:

"Declan, please stay and watch over the baby. I've heard that with a father's presence, the baby is less likely to have seizures."

Since Lydia had a natural birth, she was able to get out of bed and leave the hospital within a couple of days.

Declan expertly held the baby, preparing to hand it to Nora.

But unexpectedly, Nora's eyes welled up with tears, which fell onto the baby's face.

Declan was taken aback, gently wiping Nora's tears and softly reassuring her:

"Don't cry right after childbirth; the little one will sense your distress."

Nora grasped Declan's hand, the one wiping her tears, and sorrowfully said:

"Declan, I want to stay at your place for a few days. I want the child to know how their father lives."

"Don't worry, I understand my boundaries. I won't touch anything at your place, and Nora won't find out I've been there!"

Declan pressed his lips together, visibly conflicted.

Lydia clutched her chest, her eyes filled with tears, and weakly pleaded:

"Declan, I don't have much time left. There aren't many opportunities for us to be together as a family. Can you give me this chance?"

After a long silence, Declan finally nodded slowly.

Lydia's face showed a subtle satisfaction.

I lowered my head, managing a bitter smile.

Declan had once promised me he would never bring outsiders into our home.

Yet here he was, letting Lydia in.

She had always been the exception.

As soon as the door opened, our little dog rushed up to greet Declan.

Noticing a stranger, it barked protectively, standing in front of Declan.

The baby's cries were triggered by the barking.

Declan frowned and said:

"Buddy, calm down!"

Lydia, however, smiled gently, though it didn't reach her eyes:

"It's okay, Declan. I like small dogs, too."

She crouched down and patted Buddy's head.

Buddy, usually gentle, was only barking to scare off strangers and did not bite Lydia's hand.

Declan sighed:

"Lydia, you're still as kind as ever."

Only I noticed the handful of yellow and white fur in Lydia's palm.

Buddy must have been in pain!

Hearing Buddy's pained whimper, Declan's expression shifted, and he coldly remarked:

"This dog, like its owner, can change its nature and betray at any moment!"

He took Lydia's hand and left with the baby.

Buddy remained at the door, biting the bouncy ball I used to play with him, seemingly waiting for me.

I felt a sting of emotion.

Buddy was just a mixed breed dog, but Declan and I had rescued him during our relationship.

He was abandoned right after birth, and we painstakingly raised him, like our own child.

He didn't know that his mom would never come back.

After going upstairs, Declan handed the baby to the nanny and called the housekeeper, giving detailed instructions:

"Uncle John, Lydia doesn't like spicy food and avoids onions, ginger, and garlic. Make sure the kitchen knows. Also, she only sleeps on silk sheets, or she'll break out in a rash..."

Declan murmured on, remembering Lydia's preferences as if they had lived together for a long time.

I had always been envious of their childhood connection, but now it seemed I had underestimated it.

Unaware of this, Lydia used the excuse of going to the bathroom to sneak into Declan's and my bedroom.

Buddy, seeing a stranger enter our room, tilted his head and followed Lydia upstairs.

Lydia looked mockingly at the wedding photo of Declan and me on the table and picked up a craft knife to slash my face in the picture.

Noticing Buddy biting her skirt, Lydia was startled.

The next second, her face twisted with malice as she kicked hard.

Buddy, being just a ten-pound dog, was kicked hard against the wall and fell down.

He twitched a few times, with blood spreading from his lips, whimpering softly.

I was heartbroken, rushing to Buddy's side, but could only pass through his body over and over.

Lydia's delicate, cute face twisted with malice.

She sneered:

"A loyal dog, huh? Then I'll send you to meet your owner in heaven! This house's mistress can only be me!"

I stood frozen.

Lydia knew I was already dead.

Was my assistant her ally?

Recalling my assistant's disdain and relentless slandering of me, I clenched my fists.

Just then, Declan came into the room, alerted by the noise.

He immediately saw Buddy still twitching slightly at the base of the wall.

Lydia immediately acted, crying and trembling in Declan’s arms:

"I'm sorry, Declan. The dog bit me, and in my shock, I accidentally kicked it. It's all my fault! The dog will be okay, right?"

Declan pursed his lips, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from Buddy.

"As long as you're okay, how do you feel now? Where did it bite you?"

"There are bacteria on pets, they're dirty. I've wanted to get rid of it for a while. Now you've done me a favor."

After saying that, he pushed Lydia away and instructed the housekeeper to take Buddy to the vet.

Lydia wasn't too pleased, biting her lip and twisting her dress with her fingers.

But she quickly adjusted her expression, tugging at Declan's sleeve:

"As long as the dog is okay. If Nora finds out, I won't be able to compensate her even if I die!"

To the unknowing, it would seem like I had bullied her.

Declan fell for it, his eyes showing pity, soothing her softly:

"If she dares, I'll make her know what 'worse than death' means."

Lydia paused, then tentatively asked:

"Declan, my parents want to see the little one more. Will you come with me to visit them tomorrow?"

Declan nodded:

"Of course, the child is meant to be raised by your parents."

Lydia's smug expression froze, jealousy and resentment flashing in her eyes.

She reached for Declan's hand, acting coy:

"Declan, why do you feel more distant from me? We—"

But Declan avoided her, lost in thought.

"The guest room is ready. You should rest. The little one has been fussy lately, and you haven’t been sleeping well."

That night, Declan couldn't sleep.

He occasionally took out his phone and opened my chat window.

Finding my last message from eight months ago, when he invited me to travel abroad and I replied "Okay," he felt uneasy.

I worried about Buddy's health, but my soul couldn't stray too far from Declan, so I could only stare at Buddy's food and toys.

The next moment, Declan suddenly came over.

My heart skipped a beat as he crouched down and opened Buddy's favorite can of dog food.

Then he opened my chat window.

"Nora, I've taken care of everything. Come back, Buddy misses you."

This rare moment of softness from Declan wasn't met with my usual quick reply.

I could no longer respond to his messages.

Just then, the housekeeper returned.

Declan saw his empty hands and asked:

"Where's the dog?"

The housekeeper hesitated:

"Six ribs were broken, piercing the heart. It didn't make it to the hospital... Sir, should we have it cremated?"

My heart ached deeply.

When naming the puppy, Declan had gently tapped my nose:

"Of course, we should call him Buddy. We're his parents; we're the closest to him in his little world. We must protect him for life!"

Buddy, Buddy, but he couldn't live a safe life.

Declan stood there stunned, his fingers trembling slightly.

After a while, he found his voice:

"Yes."

"Uncle John, please find me a dog that looks exactly the same. If Nora comes home and doesn’t see Buddy, she'll make a fuss."

I felt even colder.

He had the wealth to find a similar dog.

But our bond was irreplaceable.

The next day, on the way to Lydia's house, Declan was distracted, not even reacting to the baby's cries.

When getting out of the car, he took out his phone to urge the housekeeper:

"Still haven't found one? Hurry."

When he looked up, seeing the decoration at Lydia's house, Declan stood frozen.

I found the scene amusing.

There were ribbons everywhere.

A red carpet covered the floor.

A Bluetooth speaker played "Today I Want to Marry You."

And most striking was the banner facing the door:

"I Want Us to Be Together!"

Inside, the room was packed with Declan's and Lydia's friends and family, all eyes on them.

Declan tightened his grip on the baby, who struggled and cried loudly.

Lydia's father laughed and handed a ring box to Declan:

"Declan, you and Lydia were betrothed from childhood, not a match for that humble family of Nora."

"Now you have a child. You're not going to back out, are you? Marry Lydia and give her a title!"

Lydia blushed, lowered her head, and said:

"Declan, I know I don't have long to live. But I want to give the child complete motherly love, to let him know he was born in love, not as a nameless child!"

"So, I want to be with you, even if it's just for a short time."

Everyone started egging them on:

"Declan, are you too happy to move? Get down on one knee and propose!"

"Marry her! Marry her!"

"Now that the child is born, you wouldn't just walk away, would you? It's time to marry Lydia and give her the respect she deserves!"

Lydia blushed, lowering her head, and said softly, "Declan, I know I don't have much time left, but I want to give our child a complete mother's love. I want him to know he was born out of love, not as an outsider."

"So, I wish to be with you, even if it's just for a little while."

The crowd began to cheer enthusiastically, "Declan, you're so thrilled you've forgotten yourself. Get down on one knee and propose!"

"Marry her! Marry her!"

This was clearly a forced marriage situation.

My heart felt heavy.

The day had finally arrived.

Declan's expression turned cold as he tossed the ring box aside, looking directly at Lydia, "Lydia, have you lost your mind?"

Without another word, he handed the child over to Lydia's parents and stormed off.

The atmosphere turned awkward immediately.

Lydia's face went pale and then flushed, and she ran after him.

She grabbed Declan's arm, her eyes red, "Why won't you marry me? Declan, I only turned you down back then because of my pride. You got together with Nora just to upset me, didn't you? What's wrong with you now!"

Declan shook her off, his gaze more resolute than ever, "Nora would be upset. She's the jealous type, petty and stubborn."

"Even going through with the IVF made her really angry. If she finds out I agreed to your proposal, she'll never forgive me!"

"For this life, she's the only wife I'll ever have!"

Hearing this, I was a bit taken aback.

Lydia gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath.

The next moment, she clutched her chest, speaking with difficulty, "But, Declan, what if it's my last wish? I don't have much time. I just want you to agree to a wedding. After I pass, you can still be with Nora. I won't hold you up for long!"

A struggle flickered in Declan's eyes, and he instinctively wanted to show concern for Lydia.

Just as his hand was about to touch Lydia's chest, he snapped back to reality, "I'm sorry, Lydia. Even if it's your dying wish, I can't."

"I know you helped me, but I've already fulfilled your wish to be a mother. I hope you won't overstep."

With that, he turned and left.

On his way home, his eyes were fixed on the message he sent out last night, which had gone unanswered.

Declan irritably questioned his assistant following him, "Are you sure Nora's phone can connect to the internet? Why hasn't she replied to my messages?"

The assistant continued to deceive him, "Ah, but the person inspecting the island told me Miss Nora is doing well, she's just deliberately ignoring you."

Declan was furious, "Useless! You can't do anything right! Book me a flight, quickly!"

The assistant was a bit flustered, trying hard to stop him, "But Miss Lydia is still recovering and needs someone to take care of her—"

Declan gave him a scrutinizing look, ice-cold, "What does that have to do with her? Who exactly is your boss’s wife?"

Soon, Declan boarded the plane.

When he arrived on the island, fuming, my remains still lay exposed on the beach, my clothes long torn by the sea breeze.

Declan walked towards the wooden house on the deserted island.

There was a crunching sound.

He stepped right on my shin bone without care.

But his gaze was suddenly caught by something that flashed.

He couldn't believe it, slowly turning back.

He saw the dazzling diamond ring on the ring finger of the skeleton.