Chapter 8
"Mom, help me retrieve my body in a couple of days," Henley said.
Olivia Roberts froze upon hearing this. Then, she silently listened as Henley explained everything.
When she was done, the air fell into a deathly stillness.
Finally, Olivia spoke up in an uncertain voice. "Have you really decided to let it all go? Isaac is still so young, after all."
Henley smiled faintly and replied calmly, "I should have let go long ago. Maybe they'll be happy when they hear the news of my death."
Knowing there was no arguing with her, Olivia ultimately chose to respect Henley's decision.
She set the date for her fake death to occur on their wedding anniversary. Kevin had said he would give her a surprise, so she should give him one in return.
On that day, Henley waited at home, wearing the evening dress Kevin had prepared for her. She had already taken the death-faking pill. She could feel the effects kicking in as her eyelids grew unbearably heavy.
Kevin had promised to spend the entire day with her, but one hurried phone call threw him into a panic.
He said in a conflicted voice, "Henley, Serena was in a car accident and is in the hospital. She's all alone. As her colleague and friend, I have to go check on her."
Henley didn't speak.
Kevin continued explaining on his own, "I'll be back very soon. It won't affect our plans today. Trust me."
The tremor in his voice was unmistakable.
Henley looked up and asked softly, "If I say no, would you stay with me? Kevin, can't you choose me just once?"
The look of resolve on her face caused an inexplicable surge of panic in him. Just as his heart went out to her for once, another message from Serena came in. The shocking image of her injury helped him make his final decision.
Henley received a message as well. It was a peace-sign emoji sent by Serena.
She smiled bitterly, knowing that this was another one of Serena's tricks. It was nothing more than proof that she was the one Kevin held closest to his heart.
Henley let out a deep sigh and said with disappointment, "Go ahead. We'll celebrate when you get back."
But what she meant was celebrate their farewell.
Kevin's steps were heavy, yet he still left in a hurry.
The moment the door closed, Henley spat out a mouthful of blood. While she still had strength, she swiftly made arrangements for everything.
She sent a message to Edith. "The onset of the pill is too painful. It needs further refinement."
Edith had just replied when Henley slowly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she would be welcoming a new day. By then, she would be a reborn Henley.
Meanwhile, Kevin rushed to the hospital and finally saw Serena. She stood there unharmed with tears brimming in her eyes.
She whimpered, "You're finally here. I was so scared. The doctor said… I'm pregnant."
Kevin froze upon hearing that shocking news. He didn't think that this was the right time to have a child with Serena.
Just as he was about to speak, Olivia's call came in. "Kevin, where are you?"
A deep sense of unease rose within him as he answered in a low voice, "A colleague of mine was in a car accident. I came to see her."
Olivia immediately broke down and started wailing in rage. "Henley died at home, and you still have the heart to visit a colleague?"
The instant Kevin heard those words, a shrill buzz filled his mind and drowned out everything else.
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