Chapter 3
I returned to my home.
When I pushed the door open, I froze for a second.
Ever since I was diagnosed with acute leukemia, my immune system had been severely weakened. Even a simple cold could put me in danger.
Stephen got so worried, he placed me in a high–end hospital room right
away.
Since then, I hadn’t come back.
I didn’t think it would still look exactly like I remembered. Nothing had changed.
This was the house we bought with our first big earnings. Just 150 square meters, not huge, but I loved it.
I once told him I wanted to stay here forever.
He laughed, pulling me into his arms, and said, “No way. When we have kids, they’ll need more space. We’ll have to move.
I smiled and shook my head. “Let them live in the bigger house. You and I will stay right here.”
He chuckled. “Alright, whatever you say.”
Time left its mark, and the memories kept flashing through my mind.
I remembered us sitting on the sofa, working side by side, sometimes leaning in for a kiss.
Chapter 3
On quiet evenings, we’d watch a movie, curled up together. When the moment felt right, we’d make love like nothing else existed,
I remembered the day he heard my diagnosis. His face turned pale, like his whole world had collapsed. He didn’t eat or sleep for three days, only cried every time he looked at me.
And the day I had to stay in the hospital, he ran around like crazy, trying to bring everything from home. He was so scared that I wouldn’t feel comfortable there.
When chemo made me so sick I was dry–heaving bile into the toilet, he held me close, gently cleaning me up with tears in his eyes.
The day we found a bone marrow match, he threw his arms around me, more thrilled than if he’d just closed a million–dollar deal. “Zorelle, we’re going to grow old together after all!”
The happy times we had were real–so real that thinking about them now made everything hurt even more.
I took a deep breath and stepped into the bedroom.
After I packed my bags and got ready to leave, I suddenly heard the front door creak open.
My heart jumped. Could it be him? Was Stephen coming back?
I turned quickly, only to see someone else I knew well.
It was Helena Nunley, our housekeeper.
She hurried over in a few big steps and stared at me with surprise and joy. “You’re back early! Are you all better now?” she asked, her voice full of hope.
I shook my head.
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The happiness in her eyes faded right away, replaced by concern. Then her gaze dropped to the suitcase by my feet, and she seemed to understand without needing a word.
Her face tightened, and her eyebrows furrowed in frustration. She said angrily, “So Stephen didn’t even bring you what you needed? That’s why you had to come back alone? Ever since that witch showed up, he’s been getting worse and worse.”
I didn’t expect Helena to dislike Braelyn so much.
But then again, her reaction made sense.
She said bitterly, “That first year after you left, that girl acted like a perfect angel. But by the second year, her true self showed.
“She started changing things around the house, shifting the furniture, sneaking her things in, and stuffing all your belongings into the storage
room.
“While you were in the hospital fighting for your life, she’s out here stirring up chaos. I couldn’t take it anymore. Every time she brought something in, I tossed it right back out. The moment she even touched. your stuff, I made sure it was put back exactly how it was. She ended up crying to me, then ran to Stephen. He came over to play mediator, so I gave him an earful, too.
“I said, ‘Go ahead and kick me out if you think you can. I won’t let this house carry even a trace of some homewrecker’s perfume!”
“Later on, Stephen moved into the big house with her. Now I come over occasionally to clean this place.”
Then it hit me like a sudden breeze.
All along, it had been Helena quietly keeping this place in order. Stephen
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Chapter 3
had done nothing. Whatever feelings I had left for him vanished. completely.
Before I left. Helena and I had a quiet talk. I told her that let them do ast they please now.
“You and Stephen broke up?” she asked gently.
“Yeah. It’s over,” I replied.
She looked a little heartbroken, but only for a second. Then she straightened up and smiled. “Alright, once you’re better, I’ll find you a kind, smart young man!”
I returned her kindness with a grateful smile. She stood at the doorway watching as I got into the car and rode away.
