Chapter 7
After the anesthesia wore off, Odette slowly came to, her vision blurry. The first thing she saw was Benedict, drenched to the bone.
In a weak, raspy voice, she asked, “Where have you been? Why are you soaked?”
Benedict gently placed a protective charm in her palm, his eyes glinting like stars in the night sky. “Baby, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. I was out of my mind with worry.”
“I heard the peace charms at Divine Light Chapel are especially powerful, so I braved the storm and climbed the mountain to pray for you.
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“So dangerous…”
Back then, Odette’s heart had ached for him. She had thought he was being sweet, even silly.
But now, she realized the fool was her.
Climbing mountains to pray for blessings?
When she’d lost her uterus because of him, Benedict had been out in the storm, buying beef patties for Millicent.
Scrolling further through Millicent‘ s social media posts, Odette found nothing but heartwarming displays of affection.
They had climbed the Himalayas together, sharing passionate kisses as they gasped for breath at the summit.
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They’d even watched the auroras dance
across the sky, chasing shooting stars together.
All the promises Benedict had once made to Odette lingered in her mind like fading echoes. They were promised to visit places and share moments. Still, he had delayed them, one after another, until they became nothing but distant dreams.
Countdown: Five Days
Odette gathered all the photos of her and Benedict that had been tucked away in his study.
One by one, she slowly cut herself out of each picture.
In the end, all that remained in those
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photographs was Benedict, standing alone, as
if he had never shared his life with anyone.
Countdown: Four Days
Odette ripped down all the sticky notes from the floor–to–ceiling windows.
Benedict had a habit of leaving her little messages, writing things he wanted to say, even on the busiest days.
Once upon a time, Odette had lovingly replied to each note, cherishing every word.
Now, she tossed those love–soaked notes into the fire pit, watching them curl and burn, a symbol of everything she was letting go.
When Benedict passed by the window later, he felt a subtle shift in the air; something was
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off.
But he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, as if the warmth between them had suddenly slipped away, leaving only a cold space.
Countdown: Three Days
Odette received a photo of a tattoo from
Millicent.
It was a picture of the tattoo on Benedict‘ s body.
Four years
years ago, they had walked into a tattoo parlor hand in hand, promising each other forever with matching tattoos.
Odette had a flame etched on her waist, with Benedict’s name, “Benedict,” burned into the fire.
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Benedict had a blooming begonia flower
inked on his waist, with Odette’s name,
“Odette,” nestled beside it.
But now, a white cloud had been added next
to the begonia.
That cloud symbolized Millicent.
Millicent taunted her through WhatsApp. [Odette, mark my words. One day, he‘ ll erase your begonia for me.]
The words cut deep, but Odette didn’t flinch. Instead, she took a leave of absence and made her way to the tattoo parlor.
With a clenched jaw and a heart full of quiet resolve, she removed the tattoo that once bound her to Benedict.
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Countdown: Two Days
Millicent went to the hospital for a prenatal checkup, but her real plan was far from
innocent.
In the quiet of a blind spot, she threw herself down the stairs, then spun a web of lies, falsely accusing Odette of pushing her.
Odette watched from the shadows, her gaze as cold as ice. At the same time, Millicent exaggerated every detail to Benedict on the phone.
Millicent didn’t even try to hide her malicious delight, putting the call on speaker so Odette could hear Benedict‘ s voice.
“How could you be so careless?”
Benedict‘ s voice sounded sharp with worry.
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“I’ll call the lawyer. If any doctor is at fault here, I’ll make sure they never work
again.”
Millicent‘ s lips curled into a victorious smile. “Darling, hurry up. I’m waiting for you at the hospital.”
After hanging up, she clutched her stomach, feigning fear. “Lucky for me, the baby’s fine. But if anything had happened, let’s see if Benedict wouldn’t tear you apart in public.”
A couple of nurses nearby murmured, intrigued by the spectacle.
“Who was that? Did she just mention Mr. Evander‘ s name?”
“Impossible. Mr. Evander is known for only
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having eyes for Director Clarendon. How could he be involved with another woman?‘
“Must be some opportunist. Mr. Evander‘ s been targeted by one of those dishonest women!”
The nurses‘ whispers hung in the air like poison, but Odette‘ s heart was a stone. She’d heard enough.
Benedict arrived in a flash, his hands quickly going to Millicent‘ s side to help her to her feet.
“Are you blind or…”
The moment his eyes met Odette‘ s, the harsh words froze in his throat. “Odette?”
