Chapter 4
I scoffed at Celia’s surprise.
“Mrs. Barnett, curious about why I didn’t sleep through the night?”
“Let me clarify for you: I didn’t take the painkillers you gave me. They might have been estazolam, a powerful sedative, right?”
Celia’s face flushed with a mix of red and white, her gaze darting nervously.
“You disgusting woman! How dare you drug Sally!”
Added to the library
Howard shouted angrily.
“Get out of here right now!”
1/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
With that, he called the driver to take Celia
away.
Back in the bedroom, as Howard tended to my injuries, he asked,
“How did you know the medication was from Celia?”
“Have you forgotten how long it’s been since we last stayed in this apartment? The last time we were here, I threw away all the expired medications. There isn’t a single pill left.”
“I’m sorry, Sally. I was worried your foot would hurt, so I overlooked it.”
Howard wrapped his arms around me from behind, burying his face deep into my neck…
I didn’t question him about the uncommon
2/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
medication, nor did I explain.
He didn’t know that during the hardest year at the company, I developed anxiety, losing clumps of hair and struggling to sleep at night.
I took that little pill for an entire year.
However, what intrigued me was why Celia carried around a prescription for psychiatric medication.
The day of Howard and my wedding arrived as planned.
On the morning of the wedding, I received an anonymous text message.
“Do you know why you chose today for your wedding?”
3/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
“Would you like to know the reason for this special day?”
Without a doubt, it was Celia trying to provoke me.
At that moment, the music in the venue started playing. Dressed in a pure white wedding gown and holding a bouquet of flowers, I stepped onto the stage.
Howard, in a tailored white suit, walked slowly down the red carpet.
In that moment, we only had eyes for each other.
Just as we were about to exchange rings, Howard’s assistant rushed onto the stage, holding up his phone.
“Mr. Caldwell, I accidentally answered a
4/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
video call from Miss Celia. She… she seems a bit off!”
Howard snatched the phone away-
On the video, Celia sat on the edge of a rooftop wall, wearing a black tulle dress, her face adorned with an eerie smile.
“Howie, happy wedding day! We were never meant to be.”
“But I saw you set your wedding date for today. I know you still have feelings for me. That day was our first…”
Celia’s words were disjointed, her eyes staring blankly into the distance.
A chill ran through me as I recalled the text message I had just received.
5/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
Celia continued,
“I can no longer love you. If someone can replace me by your side, I’ll die without regrets.”
“Goodbye!”
With that, the video call ended.
Howard’s expression turned grave as he shouted at his assistant.
“Find Celia’s location now! Hurry!”
“Mr. Caldwell, she’s on the rooftop terrace of this hotel.”
Three minutes later, the assistant replied.
Howard bolted toward the exit.
6/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
What was meant to come had finally arrived.
My mind was a whirlwind of confusion as I stumbled after Howard.
Upon reaching the rooftop, I saw Celia perched on the edge of the wall, her feet dangling, as if she could fall at any moment.
Howard called out Celia’s name, but she seemed oblivious to his cries, her gaze fixed vacantly on the distance.
Taking advantage of Celia’s moment of inattention, Howard lunged forward and pulled her down from the wall.
Celia struggled fiercely, crying out,
“Let me go! Why save me? My life has lost all meaning!”
7/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
“No, I can’t accept a world without you. If you die, what will I do?”
Howard held her tightly, his voice trembling with pain and desperation.
From a distance, I watched them embrace, feeling like the true intruder in their relationship.
“If you don’t love me anymore, just set me free.”
As Celia cried, she suddenly erupted into laughter, grabbing a pill bottle and swallowing a handful.
Her manic state was unlike anything I had seen before.
“Celia, what are you taking?”
8/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
Realizing something was wrong, Howard scooped her up and rushed downstairs.
After her stomach was pumped, Celia regained consciousness.
The medication she had taken was indeed eszopiclone.
She revealed that after Howard’s accident, she couldn’t bear the blow and developed bipolar disorder–a mental illness characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression.
She attributed her impulsive marriage to a wealthy foreigner to a phase of emotional highs, while her return home stemmed from a deep desire for relief during a depressive episode.
Hearing Celia’s confession from outside the
9/10
Chapter 4
+ 5 Points
hospital room, I quietly turned away.
I sent Howard a message.
“Howard, let’s cancel our wedding. I wish you both happiness together.”
Chapter 5
