Chapter 2
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Seven years ago, I left New York and moved to Los Angeles.
Theodore had no idea I didn’t come for him. I was there to take Rachel Ferguson, his beloved crush, back home.
I worked as a corpse bearer for my pack, and Rachel was the daughter of my mentor. She had pulled me out of dark times more than once.
“Hannah, I’ve helped you a lot. Just do this one last thing for me.
“If I die, take care of Theodore for me…
I agreed. But I never imagined the care she mentioned meant drugging both Theodore and me, then locking us in a room together.
By then, Theodore had already made a name for himself in Los Angeles. Everyone knew how much he adored Rachel.
But after that night, the person beside him in bed wasn’t her–it was me.
Rachel vanished, leaving only a vague message. “I wish you happiness.”
Theodore used all his resources to search for her for three months, but she
was nowhere to be found.
Since then, he resented me.
“Hannah, you better remember what it feels like to take something that
was never yours.
“Your spot, your husband–everything you have should’ve been Rachel’s! Why weren’t you the one who disappeared?”
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For seven years, I obediently served Theodore as his wife without making a fuss.
I never stopped him from bringing other women home, and I even paid off the paparazzi every few days to cover up his affairs.
Even when he drugged me and filmed me in the most humiliating way to make me a public joke, I didn’t say a word.
Everyone laughed at me.
Even the women he brought home walked all over me like I didn’t matter.
But after taking a bullet for him, I knew I’d paid back everything I owed Rachel.
Two days later, I woke up in the hospital.
I checked my phone and saw one unread message. I smiled at it.
“Seven days later. New York. The corpse inn.”
I had been away for seven years, and the other corpse bearers were now
old and wounded.
I had to stay with Theodore because I owed Rachel a favor. If I didn’t return her body to New York, I’d be completely cast out.
I marked the date–seven days from now–on the calendar.
Just as I was about to get up and grab something to eat, a beautiful woman walked into the ward.
Theodore always chose women who looked like Rachel, but this one looked the most like her.
I was caught off guard when I met her sharp, stunning eyes.
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She immediately noticed the date I had marked on the calendar, gently rested her hand on her belly, and said, “Theodore is taking me for a prenatal checkup in seven days.
“That day happens to be your anniversary. You won’t mind, will you?”
It was the first time in seven years that Theodore had gotten someone
pregnant.
He must be content with her.
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I walked over slowly, took off my wedding ring, and placed it in her hand.
“From now on, he’s yours.”
I admitted that I couldn’t give Theodore a child.
Letting someone else take my place felt like fulfilling what Rachel once hoped for.
But Amelia Robinson suddenly cried. With wet eyes, she threw herself at
Theodore and sobbed.
“Theodore, is she mocking me for being a mistress?”
I hadn’t even noticed Theodore had arrived or how long he’d been standing there.
When he saw the circled date on my calendar, his face darkened with
anger.
“You bullied my woman and still expect me to spend our anniversary with you? Dream on!”
He yanked off his wedding ring and threw it out the window.
“You might still be my wife, but Rachel wouldn’t touch anything that’s
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been yours. It disgusts her.”
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I looked at him, then at Amelia crying behind him, and gave a small nod.
“Do what you want, Theodore.
“If my things bother you, you can also throw them out.”
It didn’t matter. I was moving to New York in a week. Nothing here mattered anymore.
I turned to leave, but Theodore grabbed my wrist.
The veins on his forehead bulged, and his lips trembled with rage.
“Stop right there.
“I don’t like owing people. Since you took that bullet for me, I’ll repay you whatever you want.”
His grip was so tight it made my stomach twist in pain.
I said weakly, “Just treat me to a meal.”
Afraid he’d think I was still clinging to him, Į quickly added, “Once I’m done, I’ll go home and pack up.”
His eyes grew colder. “Fine. Just don’t go back on your word.”
I smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t.”
Los Angeles was never meant for a corpse bearer like me–someone who lived among the dead.
