Zachary frowned. "What are you talking about? How could I not marry you? It's just that Sarah's pregnant, and I have to wait for her to give birth first."

"What about after Sarah has the babies?" Nina asked.

I was just as curious. If I were still alive, how would he have reacted after I'd given birth?

Even now, a part of me still hoped that Zachary would remember the bond we shared while growing up together and the three years of marriage we had.

But in the next moment, I saw Zachary hesitate in silence. He offered no answer.

That last spark of hope inside me shattered altogether.

I couldn't help but feel the weight of it all. "I've loved you for 12 years, been married to you for three, and now I'm carrying your children."

But Zachary couldn't hear me.

I couldn't help but wonder if Zachary would be relieved to find out I was dead, such that he'd celebrate with fireworks for three days and nights.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Bobby knocked again. His voice was laced with concern. "Mr. Finch, the water tank has started heating up for some reason. I'm worried that Mrs. Finch could be in danger."

"Zac, I envy Sarah so much. She's managed to make so many people love her, unlike me. If I mess up, all my family does is heap more insults on me," Nina said, but the smugness in her eyes was almost overflowing.

Bobby frowned. "I'm telling the truth, Mr. Finch. If you don't believe me, come with me and see for—"

"Enough, Mr. Hudson! I know you treat Sarah like your own daughter." Zachary glared at Bobby with a pained expression on his face.

"But I never thought you'd exaggerate the situation and go along with Sarah's act so that I'd back down!

"I know Sarah all too well. She's just trying to use this to get me to give in. Clearly, I haven't locked her up for long enough. Fine, let's keep her in there for two more days."

I tightened my fists, shocked by how cruel Zachary was toward me.

I was pregnant and about to give birth!

How could he do this?

"Mr. Finch, Mrs. Finch is carrying twins this time. The doctor said—"

Nina immediately cut Bobby off, saying, "Mr. Hudson, I didn't know you cared so much about Sarah. If only I had an uncle like you. You're not even related by blood, but you treat her so well.

"Zac, Mr. Hudson's right. Even if Sarah did push me into the water, I deserved it. I was in her way. She had every right to do it. Sarah's pregnant, after all.

"Why don't you just give in to her, Zac? I don't mind enduring a little, as long as I can stay by your side."

Zachary's face turned as dark as coal. "Mr. Hudson, you'd better understand who's in charge of this house. From now on, if you're going to speak, you'd better make sure you're speaking for the right person.

"Also, I'm taking Nina to a banquet in two days. I don't want to hear another word about Sarah. No one is allowed to let her out, understand?

"She's a swimmer. She can hold her breath underwater for ten minutes, so there's no way she'll drown. The water in that tank is changed every three hours. She'll be fine."

But I wasn't fine.

"Turn around, Zachary. I'm right behind you," I thought.

Zachary spent two wild days with Nina, ignoring countless messages and calls from Bobby.

The situation escalated to the point where Zachary even blocked Bobby on all messaging platforms.

When Zachary returned with Nina, I noticed that Bobby seemed to have aged ten years.

Zachary glanced at him and scoffed. "Mr. Hudson, could you stop acting like someone just died at home?"

"Mr. Finch—"

Zachary cut Bobby off, saying, "Don't say anything yet. Answer me first. Did Sarah admit that she was wrong? Did she say she would apologize to Nina on her knees?"

Ridiculous! Why should I apologize?

That night at the banquet, Zachary had texted me, asking me to wait for him in the garden. He said he had something to tell me.

But when I ran over with joy, I saw Nina, who had been waiting there for a long time.

At that moment, I sensed something wasn't right.

Before I could turn around and leave, I heard a loud splash, followed by Nina's cries and pleas.

The only ones at the scene were Nina and me. Thus, there was no way to prove my innocence. And since Zachary had already believed Nina's version of the story, I became the target.

I couldn't defend myself. I watched helplessly as Zachary carried Nina away, while everyone else called me despicable.

Bobby, noticing Zachary's attitude, shook his head helplessly. "Mr. Finch, the staff members assigned there have reported that the water tank is starting to smell—"

Before Bobby could even finish, Nina wrinkled her nose, acting disgusted. She groaned before saying, "Don't tell me Sarah's been doing her business in that tank."

Zachary's face instantly hardened. "So, she still hasn't realized her mistake, huh? Fine. Keep her in there for another two days. Let her really remember this experience. Maybe it'll knock some sense into her."

"Mr. Finch, the doctor said Mrs. Finch's due date might be earlier than expected. I really think we should let her out now," Bobby said, his eyes full of concern.

Seeing Bobby's repeated attempts to speak up for me warmed my heart.

When I first entered the Finch family, Bobby didn't like me. He thought I was just another woman after Zachary's wealth.

But one day, I found him suffering from a minor heart attack, and I gave him his medication without thinking. From then on, he became deeply grateful to me.

The Finch family was a powerful household that never kept a staff member with heart problems. Bobby was only diagnosed a couple of years ago.

When Zachary heard Bobby speak up for me, his eyes were filled with disgust. "I think I, as Sarah's husband, understand her better than you, Mr. Hudson. If you keep defending her, she'll stay locked in that tank for the rest of her life."

I was left frozen. I never imagined that Zachary could be so heartless.

Even though I was already dead, my heart still ached. It was as if countless ants were gnawing at it. The pain was excruciating.

Two more days passed.

Zachary, reeking of alcohol, helped Nina through the door. Their unsteady steps caused them both to tumble onto the couch inside.

In a daze, Zachary grabbed his phone and dialed a specific number.

I glanced over and realized that he was trying to reach me.

A cold chill spread through my body.

The phone rang, but soon went to voicemail. Undeterred, Zachary dialed a few more times, but still no one answered.

I let out a bitter laugh. How could I answer when I was already dead?

Besides, my phone had been in the water tank with me.

Zachary's face darkened. He typed out a message and sent it to me.

"Sarah, you should know your place. You've been living off me all these years. Without me, you're nothing. You'd better show up before I lose my temper."

Nina looped her arm around his neck and pouted. "Zac, I want some of Sarah's ravioli."

Without thinking, Zachary said, "I'll tell her to make it for you. Consider it an apology."

I froze, fury and hatred rising in my chest.

"Zachary Finch! I didn't lay a hand on her! She framed me! And now you want me to serve her?" I screamed in frustration, but he couldn't hear me.

Nina whispered sweetly, "You're so good to me, Zac. I'll be with you forever, even if it means living in the shadows."

Zachary, looking deeply moved, took her wrist in his hand.

Seeing the look of devotion on his face twisted my heart with unbearable pain.

When he proposed to me, he spoke so lovingly, promising that I would be the esteemed lady of the Finch family. But now, I was dead with two babies in my belly.

As the two of them neared a passionate moment, the living room lights suddenly flickered on.

Zachary stood up in irritation and glared at the cause of the interruption—Bobby.

"Mr. Hudson, you'd better have something important to say, or you know the consequences."

Nina scrambled, looking for something to cover herself. Zachary quickly threw his suit jacket over her.

I stared at that jacket, lost in thought.

It was something I had designed for him. Though I wasn't a designer, I was willing to learn the trade for him.

Now, that jacket was covering another woman.

Bobby's face turned pale as he lowered his head and hoarsely said, "Mr. Finch, Mrs. Finch… is gone."