Chapter 2

I followed him into the bedroom.

The ghost in the corner followed us in too.

I looked away, not daring to look again.

Ethan made the bed and patted the pillow. "Come, lie down. You're tired today. Get some rest early."

I lay down beside him. He reached over to turn off the light, leaving only a small nightlight by the bed.

"Emma," he turned on his side to look at me, "have you had something on your mind lately?"

"No," I stared at the ceiling, "just a bit tired from work."

He held my hand. "If you're tired, take a break. I'll take care of you."

His palm was warm, his voice gentle. My throat tightened as I glanced again at that lonely spirit in the corner.

"Do you still remember this necklace?" I picked up the necklace from the nightstand.

He glanced at it and smiled. "Of course I remember. I gave it to you for your eighteenth birthday. I saved up my allowance for two months to buy it. The shopkeeper said it was the last one, and I was afraid someone else would snatch it up."

My heart clenched. He was right.

"Do you remember what you wrote on the note when you gave it to me?" I continued pressing.

"'This necklace is for you. Happy birthday.'" His face reddened slightly. "Actually I wanted to write 'I like you,' but I didn't dare."

"How did I respond?"

"You didn't. The next day you stuffed a box of chocolates in my desk. I was so happy I didn't pay attention in class all day."

I closed my eyes. All correct.

He took out the necklace and pointed to the words "Waiting for you" engraved on it. "I even cut my hand engraving this."

He extended his index finger. There was a faint scar on the pad.

"Then why haven't you worn this necklace all this time?" My voice trembled.

"You said you couldn't bear to, that you wanted to wait until our wedding day to wear it."

I took a deep breath and put the necklace back on the nightstand, lying down as casually as I could. "You have such a good memory. You remember things from so many years ago."

He smiled and ruffled my hair. "How could I forget anything about you?"

I lowered my eyes, but my heart felt like it had a thorn in it.

He was right. He remembered everything. But how could I explain the ghost in the corner?

I turned on my side. "Since your memory is so good," I stared at him, "let me test you. Do you remember when we went swimming as kids?"

He thought for a moment. "I remember. The pool was deep, and you wanted to jump in without a float."

"Then you almost suffocated. I pulled you out. You were so lame."

I watched Ethan's face nervously, afraid to miss even the slightest expression.

I was the one who almost suffocated back then. He was the one who saved me. If he went along with my version, he would be fake!

He paused for a moment, then suddenly tapped my forehead with his finger. "Are you dreaming? You were the one who almost suffocated. I pulled you out. You choked on water and cried for a long time."

I opened my mouth, unable to refute.

"Do you remember our first time at the beach?"

He looked at me blankly. "We've never been to the beach. Don't you remember? You always said you wanted to see the ocean, but we never had time."

My whole body went cold. He was right again. I really had never been to the beach, just said I wanted to go.

"Also, I had a white cat when I was little, named Snowball." My voice tightened, my tone becoming somewhat urgent.

He frowned. "You've never had a cat. When you were twelve, you got scratched by a cat, so you're afraid of them. You avoid them whenever you see one."

I couldn't say another word. Every lie, he could precisely identify.

"Sleep. Stop thinking nonsense." He pulled the blanket over and wrapped me in his arms. "You've been acting weird today."

I leaned against his chest and heard his heartbeat.

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

"Hm?"

"Nothing." I closed my eyes.

He turned over, habitually draping his arm over my waist, naturally pulling me into his embrace, exactly the same as before.

I opened my eyes and locked gazes with the ghost in the corner.

My mind was in chaos. Who should I believe?