Chapter 2

I came out after taking a shower and saw Olivia cuddling in Alexander's arms watching TV.

The two of them looked more like a married couple than Alexander and I ever did.

"Finished showering?" Alexander pointed to the kitchen nearby, "Go make dinner for my Olivia!"

"Olivia doesn't like spicy food, she prefers sweets. Keep that in mind."

I didn't move, my fingers clutching tightly at the hem of my shirt.

"What are you doing? Go now!" Alexander suddenly got angry, his enraged expression not seeming like an act.

Olivia tugged at Alexander's arm and said softly, "It's okay if she doesn't want to cook. I'm hungry too."

Hearing this, Alexander looked even more contemptuous, "Doesn't want to? I told her long ago she could leave if she wanted. Since she's still here, she might as well make herself useful!"

Hearing Alexander threatening to kick me out, I immediately turned to go to the kitchen to cook for them.

Behind me, I heard Alexander joking with Olivia, "What a desperate woman! She can't live without a man!"

"See, I told you she'd do anything for me."

With my back to them, I cooked while crying silently.

The pain in my heart made my shoulders tremble slightly.

"If you feel wronged, we can always eat out!" Alexander stood behind me, frowning as he smelled the odor coming from my body.

"Why do you still smell so bad even after showering?"

I paused briefly while chopping vegetables.

The truth was, my body was slowly decaying.

I had already died yesterday.

Although I could appear "alive" in front of Alexander like this,

My body would gradually decompose over time.

I only had seven days left.

Seven days later, if I couldn't find the murderers,

I would vanish into thin air and truly die.

"It'll be ready soon." I forced a smile, trying not to let Alexander notice anything amiss.

"You chose to stay here yourself." Alexander reminded me again, "Now that Olivia is back, you should know your place as a substitute."

I knew he was trying to force me to leave.

"Alexander, we're not divorced yet." I looked past his shoulder at Olivia on the couch, trying to remind him not to go too far.

But he raised his hand and slapped me across the face, "You slut! Who are you to meddle in my affairs!"

"Don't think you can do whatever you want just because Grandma likes you!"

I took a deep breath and looked up at him.

His eyes held nothing but disgust for me.

"But Grandma will find out if you brazenly bring her back to the mansion like this."

Alexander's pupils constricted rapidly, and his hand on my shoulder gradually tightened.

He whispered in my ear, "That's why if Grandma finds out, you're finished."

Alexander reached out and gently stroked my hair, "Is this what you've been dreaming of me doing?"

Before I could nod, he suddenly yanked my hair hard.

"Ah!" I gasped in pain.

"But too bad... you don't deserve it!"

"Why didn't those kidnappers just kill you yesterday!"