But when I opened my eyes, I just saw a cold little corpse. I thought it was a hallucination.

But I didn't realize until now that it was my child asking for help. Obviously, my baby could have survived at that moment.

I was an orphan. I was looking forward to her arrival every day.

But in the end, the person who killed my only relative was actually my husband, whom I regarded as the love of my life.

The pain, sadness and remorse almost overwhelmed me.

Thinking of this, I called my mentor and agreed to join the teaching program at Berkshire Hathaway.

***

Orlando just opened the door of the house.

The unique scent of his body was the smell of alcohol. He then came towards me.

His tall body gathered me in his arms. His tone was tinged with drunkenness, “Why didn't you come to pick me up today? Everyone else has a wife to pick them up, but not me, Celine. I miss you so much, my love. I love you so much, please, don't you ever leave me, okay?”

I struggled a few times, but I also didn't push him away. When I looked at Orlando in front of me, the sourness in the bottom of my heart surged up again.

In my heart, I asked, ‘So in order for me not to pester Richard, you don't even forget to act in front of me when you are drunk? Orlando Humphrey, you are really tired of living.’

Orlando asked, “Celine, are you angry? I swear, there wasn't a single woman at today's drinking party. Please, don't ignore me.”

I looked at him quietly. Ever since we got married, everyone knew how much he doted on me.

Even in front of his acquaintances and brothers, he never cared about losing face. He always put me first, as if being wifey was an honourable thing for him.

Everyone envied me for finding a good husband. But until now, I have finally seen how ridiculous the happiness I indulged in is.

Orlando hugged me too tightly. He also kisses me densely.

Seeing that I couldn't struggle away, I suddenly said, “I went to pick up you today.”

He instantly sobered up most of the wine. With an undisguised panic in his eyes, he asked me, “Then how come I didn't see you? Did you hear something?”

I looked at him in silence for a long time. Until his eyebrows were deeply furrowed, I replied, “When I went to pick it up, that driver was a novice. Then he didn't find the way. Looking at the time it was getting late, I came back first. So, what should I have heard?”

After he heard my words, he stiffly back relaxed. “Nothing, my love. It's just that our anniversary is in a few days and I have a surprise for you.”

I nodded my head. Then I took the opportunity to avoid his embrace. I turned around and went into the restroom.

When I came out again, Orlando had already left the house. Probably in too much of a hurry to leave, his cell phone fell on the coffee table.  As soon as I walked over, a few messages popped up.

[Orlando, thanks for sending me the amulet. I don't know if it's an illusion. I feel that my morning sickness is much better now.]

[It's just that my stomach is a bit uncomfortable right now. Richard drank too much, Orlando. Can you come and take me to the hospital?]

I looked at the amulet in the message. Then it made me couldn't calm down for a long time.

This amulet of peace was begged for me by my mother before she died. She climbed thousands of steps and kowtowing one step at a time.

Before I was reunited with Orlando, this was all I could think about. I always felt that with this amulet, my mother would always be by my side.

But five months ago, Orlando was suddenly in a bad mood every day. His body also had many health problems as well.

I was so anxious, but still took good care of him. After taking good care of him, I didn't feel at ease, so I put this amulet around his neck. I hoped he would have peace and prosperity in the future.

I also want to reassure my mom and dad in heaven that I have found someone who loves and cherishes me as much as they do.

I still remembered when he held me in his arms at that time.

Holding the amulet, he said he would cherish it and would never take it off in this life.

I didn't realize until now that the reason he was depressed at that time was because Eleanor Celeste was pregnant with Richard Athelstan's child.

The tears he left behind when he hugged me were also not because he was moved, but because of guilt.

The amulet was also casually given to Eleanor by him.

The cell phone was still vibrating. I directly ignored it. I just wanted to pick up the water bottle on the side.

But the next second, the water bottle in my hand was knocked over.

The man who used to take care of me in every possible way now turned a blind eye to my red and blistered arm.

He held the phone in his hand as if he was facing a great enemy.

“Celine Reverie, we agreed before we got married that we would trust each other, right?”

Without waiting for me to open my mouth, his cell phone vibrated again. He then only swept a glance before leaving in a hurry with an anxious face. All I was left with was the loud bang of the door closing.

I picked up the blisters on my arms. Then I applied cold water to it to feel much better.

Lying on the bed, I flipped to Eleanor's friend circle.

[The most romantic thing in the world is when I need you, you are always there.]

In the video, Orlando's hands, which I had protected extremely well, were stirring the lean meat porridge in the casserole. On the other side, from Eleanor's viewpoint, Orlando blew the porridge into the spoon to cool it down. He tenderly handed it to Eleanore's mouth.

It was different from the calm and gentle gaze when facing me. At this time, his expression was full of worry and heartache.

Once upon a time, I thought it was because he was emotionally stable.

Until this moment, I didn't know that people were only emotionally stable when they were facing someone they didn't love.

After turning off the cell phone, I went to study.

Once upon a time, I had never doubted Orland's love for me.

At this moment, looking at this safe that I have never opened before, I just feel like “Pandora's Box.”

I tried both my birthday and his birthday without giving up.

In the end, I tried a string of numbers again to open it. It was Eleanor's birthday. It was filled with pictures of Eleanor Celeste. There was a sentence behind each photo.

[Eleanor, this lipstick sets you off beautifully. I bought one for Celine as well. But it's a shame, she's not you after all.]

[Eleanor, thank you for using the perfume I gave you. It makes me feel like there is still a connection between us. I also gave Celine a bottle as well, so that every night when I close my eyes, I always feel like I'm hugging you to sleep.]

[Eleanor, why don't you pick me? Obviously, I'm the one who loves you the most.]

[Eleanor Celeste]

Seeing all these familiar things, I just feel that the blood in my body flows backwards.

A chill in my heart, almost about to freeze me.

It turned out that without me realizing it, everything about Eleanor Celeste had silently invaded my life. Every time I received a gift from Orlando, I was still foolishly feeling that he was thoughtful and moved by it.

I pinched my palm hard before I slowed down.

Pushing these photos away, at the bottom was a black and red gift box. When I just looked at it made me feel that the things inside were precious.

After opening it, it was actually full of his and Eleanor's wedding photos. It was just that Richard's part was all cropped out and replaced with himself.

This time he wrote underneath: [If we are living together in this life, does it count as white heads together? Eleanor, I love you, but if you love him more, I am willing to protect you for the rest of your life.]

‘What a life without worry’ Looking at these, I suddenly feel ridiculous. Until I laughed and my heart throbbed. I laughed until my tears couldn't stop flowing out.

In the end, I squatted on the ground. My hand gently stroked on my belly. I then cried until my body trembled. 

I said in my heart, ‘So he loves Eleanor Celeste. He can take my child's life and my whole life to sacrifice?’

***

I didn't know when I fell asleep.

When I woke up, Orlando was already in the living room with Eleanor Celeste.

Orlando, who had never cooked at home, was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen at this time.

After seeing me, he somewhat awkwardly explained, “Richard has been a bit busy these days, Celine. Eleanor's fetus isn't very stable, so I wanted to bring her home to recuperate for a few days. It’s okay, right?”

I sat to the side in silence.

I knew Orlando worked hard and those hands were extraordinarily precious.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that on weekdays at home, he did not dip his fingers into the water of spring.

Now I ate the food cooked in Eleanor's favor. I also ate the rice he cooked.

Eleanor had a bad appetite. She was just listlessly beeping and saying that she had no appetite.

Orlando then held up his spoon.

It was different from the silence and detached politeness when he was with me.

Now he was almost humble to the dust, coaxing Eleanor to eat.

Probably he noticed my gaze.

He turned his head and smiled awkwardly. Then he put another big prawn into my bowl.

I looked up. I had no appetite at all.

Eleanor was clamouring to eat mango. It made Orlando then remind her like a child that she had diarrhoea the last time she ate too much mango.

I silently threw the shrimp into the trash.

I still remember the first time I was allergic after eating prawns. Orlando cried and pulled my hand tightly. He also said it was all his fault. He promised me that he would never forget this incident in his life.

Now he was still very careful, but the object of care was no longer me.

I didn't have much of an appetite. I then pushed away my cutlery. I wanted to leave.

Eleanor Celeste suddenly called out to me from behind. She came over to my side and shook the amulet on her chest with a smile.

“I heard from Orlando that this amulet is still the one that Auntie begged for, Celine. With this, the baby in my belly will definitely be born safely.”

I knew she purposely emphasized the word ‘safe’.  I couldn't help but move closer to her. However, I was suddenly pushed away by Orlando.

He protected Eleanor tightly in his arms. Orlando frowned and condescendingly looked at me.

“An amulet is just an amulet, Celine. I'll give you as much as you want, okay? Eleanor has thanked you, so don't be so small-minded.”

My eyes were instantly red. My fists also clenched.  “Orlando Humphrey, do you still remember what you said when I gave you this amulet?”

I had always been calm at this moment. But it was the first time he had seen me so out of control.

After a moment of surprise, he just wanted to reach over to wipe my tears. On the other side, Eleanor was still behind him. She suddenly held her stomach and screamed. It made Orlando instantly panicked. He held Eleanor and rushed towards the hospital.

I leaned against the table and my stomach tightened. With difficulty, I walked to the entrance of the neighbourhood to take a taxi.

Just as I arrived at the hospital, I saw Orlando holding Eleanor in line. I silently turned to another line.

After paying the fee, I was waiting at the door of the ultrasound room. Suddenly I was dragged into the stairwell. When I was caught off guard, my cheek was slapped hard.

It was Eleanor Celeste. Her small belly was slightly bulging. She looked at me with a disdainful face.

“Celine Reverie, are you cheap? Back then, when you went into premature labour, why didn't you die with that cheap bastard of yours?”

I was silenced. I looked at Eleanor with a frown. 

“You have to know that I told Orlando that I didn't want you to get pregnant with his child. So he cut one side of your fallopian tube during the operation. But now you're actually pregnant again?”

Hearing her mention that child, my heart twitched and tightened. It was because I knew that Orlando didn't love me that I didn't tell him about the pregnancy.