Julian told me what had happened in the years since my faked death. After my ‘passing,‘ he unexpectedly began to recover his ‘si- ght.” He realized Ashley Hayes was feigning illness. He discovered Ashley had been married and had a child abroad for years. It was only when her husband went bankrupt that she decided to return and try to extract money from him to help her husband.
Julian, knowing the truth, kept quiet and proposed to Ashley. But at the wedding, he exposed everything to everyone. I was abroad at the time, and knowing they were getting married, I hadn’t paid any further attention. What happened afterward, I naturally didn’t know. Ashley slinked back abroad, but her husband suffered the consequences. Julian’s methods were incredibly cruel. Her husba- nd had been on the verge of a comeback, but because of Julian’s retaliation, he completely lost heart. Reportedly, the family of three, with no other options, committed suicide in despair.
I suddenly felt Julian had aged. He had become quite garrulous, constantly recounting our past. The housemaid brought in nourish-
ing chicken soup. He sniffed it, then quickly said, “Cassidy, your chicken soup still tastes the best.” He sighed. “It’s been so many
years since I tasted your cooking.” He paused, then murmured, “When was the last time I had it?” Julian blinked blankly, struggling
to recall. I didn’t remember either. But humans always remember painful memories with exceptional clarity.
I still remembered the last time I made chicken soup: it was the day Liam called Ashley ‘Mommy.‘ Ashley had fallen. Julian picked
her up and walked out, Liam, with his backpack, scurrying to keep up. Their figures gradually grew distant, then smaller, until they
vanished completely. The sky slowly darkened. I suddenly realized my stomach was empty, it was time to eat. The hawthorn brais-
ed pork had lost its vibrant color, looking utterly unappetizing. The chicken soup should still be warm. I ladled myself a bowl. After
just one sip, tears welled in my eyes. The housemaid cautiously asked, “Madam, what’s wrong?” “The soup is so cold, it hurts my
teeth,” I mumbled. She took the clay pot to reheat it. “It’s been sitting out too long, so of course it’s cold. Just a moment, warming it
up will make it good.” Soon, she brought the hot chicken soup back. Steam warmed my eyes, and I still cried. I don’t know how long
I cried until the phone rang.
Julian, too, remembered, his lips drooping in sorrow. “Cassidy, I truly wish we could go back in time, back to when Liam was born until he was four years old.” His voice was raw. “That was the warmest time of our lives.”
I smiled. “Not for me. My warmest times were when my parents were still alive. When I lived with the Martin family. And now.”
The hospital room door clicked open. Liam, back with medicine, stood there. His chest heaved, his breathing ragged. I didn’t know how long he had been listening outside. He spoke, his voice choked with immense pain. “Then what about me? What do I mean to
you?”
What did he mean? A cage, shackles, or perhaps just a transaction. But those words felt too heavy.
“Nothing. Biologically speaking, your existence only proves that your father and I had a physical relationship.” Having said that, I looked back at Julian. “Just pretend you never saw me. Pretend I’m still dead.” My voice hardened. “You hold onto the person in your heart, whether it’s Ashley or the old me. Just don’t disturb me anymore.” My eyes pierced him. “And don’t reveal our relationsh
- ip. Otherwise, you’ll be killing me all over again.”
