Chapter 3

3

Two weeks later, Rosalie was discharged from the hospital.

Jasper, wanting to give her the best possible care, brought her straight back to our house.

But as soon as they walked through the front door, they were frozen by the sight before them.

The house was a disaster. Shattered plates littered the floor, and chairs were overturned. Food had rotted on the counters, filling the air with a faint, sickly sweet stench.

Rosalie gasped, covering her mouth with a delicate hand.

"Oh my god, Jasper. What happened here? Did Elara do this because she was angry at you for taking care of me?"

Jasper's face went dark. He immediately pulled out his phone to call a cleaning service.

He was a man who obsessed over order and cleanliness. Seeing his home in such a state made his blood boil.

The cleaning crew arrived quickly. They worked in silence, scrubbing away the evidence of a life interrupted.

As one of the cleaners was leaving, I heard her mutter under her breath.

"This place looks like someone was snatched right out of their life."

I wanted to tell her she was exactly right.

Once the house was pristine again, Jasper's mood softened slightly. He began showing Rosalie around the rooms.

Rosalie looked at the expensive decor, her eyes flashing with a mix of jealousy and regret.

If she hadn't left him years ago, she would have been the one living in this luxury. She would have been the Mrs. Emerson.

But she realized it wasn't too late. Jasper's heart was still hers to command.

She smiled at him, her expression radiating warmth.

Then, her eyes landed on the cabinet where I kept my vintage tea sets. Her gaze darkened for a split second before she walked over, feigning curiosity.

I saw what was coming. A second later, my favorite teapot was shattered on the floor.

Jasper rushed over at the sound of the crash, checking Rosalie's hands for cuts.

He didn't even glance at the porcelain shards of the piece I had cherished.

"Jasper, I'm so sorry! It was an accident. Was this Elara's favorite? She's going to be so mad at me."

Rosalie pouted, her eyes filling with performative tears.

Jasper just stroked her hair, his voice dismissive and cold.

"It's just a pot. As long as you're not hurt, it doesn't matter. Besides, Elara wouldn't dare be angry with you."

Seeing how much he prioritized her, Rosalie felt a surge of secret triumph.

I watched them from the ceiling, my ghostly hands clenched into fists.

Why did I value those cups so much? Because Jasper had given them to me.

In five years of marriage, he had been indifferent about everything, even our wedding rings. But on our third anniversary, he bought me that set.

I had treated it like a holy relic. I thought it was a sign that he was finally starting to love me back.

My death proved that it was all a pathetic delusion.

I watched Jasper go into the kitchen to cook for her. He made elaborate, beautiful dishes, pouring his heart into the meal.

Rosalie sat at the table, looking like the happiest woman in the world.

The domestic scene reminded me of the early days of our marriage. I had been so naive back then.

I thought we would cook together, wash dishes together, and build a home.

But in five years, Jasper never once stepped into the kitchen for me. He believed a man shouldn't waste time with housework.

Walking, talking, or traveling together were all luxuries he couldn't afford. He always used work as an excuse to avoid me.

He was a ghost in our marriage.

But looking at him now, catering to Rosalie's every whim, I realized the truth.

It wasn't that he couldn't do these things. It wasn't that he didn't have time.

I just wasn't the woman he wanted to do them with.

I looked down at myself and laughed. Marriage really is a woman's second chance at life.

I chose the wrong man, and it cost me my life.

That night, Jasper lay in bed, but he seemed restless. He kept tossing and turning.

I didn't know why he was so agitated.

Then, I saw him frown and dial my number. The cold, mechanical voice of the operator informed him that the phone was turned off.

His eyes darkened with irritation. He opened our chat history and started typing.

"Elara, are you really playing the missing person card now? Grow up."

"You better come back and sign those papers. Don't think hiding will stop this divorce."

I watched him fume, feeling nothing but pity.

I'm already gone, Jasper.

I died in that dark, cold room you sent me to.