Chapter 2

2

I didn't show any signs of my plans. I continued to act like the dutiful, quiet wife.

In secret, I prepared everything for my departure.

On the night before the Spring Gala, Silas came to the inn.

He pressed a wooden hairbrush into my hand. "I made this myself. Celine, you've been back for a while now. Let's go to the Gala together the day after tomorrow, okay?"

The rough texture of the wood bit into my palm, and my heart hammered against my ribs.

Three years ago, I had found a dying Silas on the side of the road and nursed him back to health. Back then, he was penniless. He had carved a wooden pin for me and promised me forever.

I actually believed him back then.

I gripped the brush and nodded. "Okay."

The night of the Gala, I waited at our meeting spot.

The sky grew dark, and the crowds began to thin, but Silas never showed up.

I told myself to wait… maybe he was just busy.

I walked down to the riverbank, clinging to the last shred of hope I had left.

"Silas, didn't you have a date with your wife tonight?" a soft, feminine voice drifted toward me.

"A Death Walker? She doesn't deserve an invitation from a Duke. She upset you last time, so consider this her punishment."

The words were like ice water, freezing me to the spot.

It was all a game. A punishment he designed just to please his true love.

I stood there, feeling like the biggest joke in the world.

When the crowds finally vanished, I wandered the empty streets like a lost soul.

As I turned to go back to the inn, several figures blocked my path.

It was Vivian, flanked by a group of wealthy socialites.

"Well, look who it is. She looks absolutely pathetic."

"Some people don't even deserve to breathe the same air as Miss Vivian."

"Why is she even still alive? She should just do us all a favor and disappear."

I listened to their poisonous whispers and frowned. "What do you want, Vivian?"

She smirked and waved her hand. Two men grabbed my arms, pinning me down.

Slap!

A sharp blow landed on my cheek. The stinging heat exploded across my face, and my eyes watered involuntarily.

"I've never met anyone as shameless as you!" Vivian hissed.

"A gutter rat trying to climb into a Duke's bed? If you know what's good for you, you'll crawl away from Silas!"

"I'm not holding him hostage," I said, my voice trembling but sharp. "If he wants you so badly, why hasn't he married you yet?"

Vivian's face contorted with rage.

The next second, she let out a scream and threw herself backward into the river!

Before I could even process what happened, someone shoved my shoulder hard, and I fell into the water behind her.

I couldn't swim. I thrashed wildly, gasping for air.

Then, I saw a familiar figure diving into the water, swimming toward me with incredible speed.

"Silas…"

A spark of hope flared in my chest.

But he swam right past me.

His eyes were fixed on Vivian, who was splashing nearby.

The last thing I saw before I went under was Silas holding Vivian, swimming away without a single backward glance.

Darkness swallowed me whole.