When the Heart Remembers

It seemed that Michael really hadn't recognized me.

When I got home, Audrey called. She was satisfied I hadn't shown my face, but she still sounded irritated.

"Other than being blind before, does Michael have any other problems?"

I paused for a moment before answering, "No."

She let out a sharp little laugh. "Seriously? By now, since we already spent the night together, shouldn't he be all over me like that night? Instead, he's acting like some saint who won't even touch me!

"But whatever. I heard from his assistant that he's planning to propose to me at the company's annual party this year."

Propose? Michael was actually dating Audrey now?

Had he forgotten he had walked out of the room that night? Or was he setting up some huge revenge plot?

The thought had me quiet for a long time, curiosity eating at me.

"Sounds like a dream come true," I said.

"Dream come true, my foot! What kind of woman can stand a man who won't even lay a finger on her?" Audrey snapped.

"That's why I was thinking I should just get pregnant first. With our family background, it's not exactly easy to marry into money unless you've already got a baby on the way."

My parents jumped right in with advice, suggesting Audrey should get Michael drunk again. Or maybe I could approach him as his nurse and slip him more pills.

They wanted to make sure Audrey slept with him enough times to guarantee a pregnancy.

I was stunned.

They really wanted to keep using dirty tricks like that. Worse, they wanted to drag me into it, too. If I kept being tied to them, one day, they'd pull me straight down with them.

I refused to help. That, of course, set my parents off.

"You coward! If you won't help now, don't think you'll get to enjoy the good life once Audrey makes it big!"

Audrey sneered as well, "First, she wouldn't marry Mr. Meyer to get me 200 thousand dollars for my wedding, and now, she won't even help me get pregnant. A stupid and timid person like her doesn't even deserve to be part of our family."

Her voice grew sharper and sharper.

"You really shouldn't turn me down. Even though I haven't gotten pregnant yet, Michael's already planning to propose. I'm gonna be living the good life. Sure, it's hard for someone like me to marry into money, but it's not impossible. And I'm gonna pull it off.

"You don't wanna help? Fine. But listen to me—when I've got money and power, you won't even get the chance to butter me up. Starting today, you're not allowed to come home again. Get out, and stay out!"

I hung up without a word.

She didn't need to tell me twice. I wasn't going back to that house, not when all I'd ever gotten there was hate.

Two lifetimes of favoritism from my parents had burned away whatever hope I'd ever had for them.

In my last life, after I died at Audrey's hands, my parents still chose to protect her and tried to bury my body without anyone finding out. At that time, all I felt was a despair worse than death itself.

But Audrey's words about Michael proposing at the annual party? That I had to see for myself.

I just couldn't believe Michael would let her off so easily instead of coming after her for scheming against him. I couldn't believe he'd suddenly fall for her and want to marry her.

No. He had to be playing his own game.

-

Finally, the day of Strickland Enterprise's annual party came.

After putting on a disguise, I slipped into the event.

Audrey showed up in a custom white designer gown, looking like some perfect little angel straight out of a rich CEO romance story.

Of course, my parents weren't gonna miss this chance to bask in her "high society" moment. Dressed to the nines in a suit and gown, they went with her to Strickland Enterprise's annual party.

People swarmed around Audrey, showering her with compliments.

"Audrey, you're so beautiful! No wonder Mr. Strickland is completely obsessed with you. And today, he's gonna propose in front of the whole company. You're seriously the luckiest girl ever!"

"Gosh, I'm so jealous. Once you become Mrs. Strickland, don't forget about us, okay?"

Standing there in the crowd while soaking in all the flattery, Audrey looked like she might float away. She immediately started acting as if she already owned the place.

"When I become Mrs. Strickland, I'll make sure my husband gives everyone a raise. Maybe even a few extra days off so we can all celebrate together!"

The crowd cheered even louder.

Soon, the event shifted into its main program.

Michael stood tall in the middle of the room while holding a glass of champagne, looking calm and unreadable. His perfectly tailored black suit made him look even sharper.

Maybe it was just me, but I swear he kept glancing my way, which made no sense.

I had on a mask, a cap, and the plainest clothes I owned. Even my own family hadn't noticed me, so there was no way he could've.

Amid cheers, Michael stepped onto the stage, his voice steady and cool.

"Last year, I got into an accident and lost my sight completely. I'd like to thank someone. Because of her careful care, I was able to recover so quickly.

"Thank you, Ms. Goodwin."

My heart pounded as I listened, trying to keep my face calm.

The spotlight landed straight on Audrey. She lifted her chin and gave a shy, blushing smile.

"I'm your nurse. Taking care of you was my duty."

Michael's lips curled into a smile—the kind that looked dangerous.

He glanced at Audrey. "I've prepared a very special surprise for you today. Do you mind coming up here?"

That was enough to make Audrey's grin stretch from ear to ear. She thought the proposal was about to happen.

"Of course not!"

She gathered up her white skirt and ran onto the stage, the crowd cheering her on.

My parents had tears in their eyes, already imagining themselves joining the rich and never worrying about money again.

The rest of the crowd was buzzing with envy.

"Wow, Audrey's so lucky. If I'd known, I would've tried to become Mr. Strickland's nurse, too. It's easy to get someone to fall for you if you're close to them. Now that she's got his attention, she's about to become a rich wife and live the dream!"

"Right? The Goodwins are about to skyrocket. Now their daughter's gonna marry the rich, powerful, and handsome Mr. Strickland. They really hit the jackpot."

But then, out of nowhere, a tall, broad woman with a hard, scary face stormed onto the stage.

She yanked Audrey by the hair.

"Mr. Strickland, is this the little tramp you were talking about? The one who climbed into my husband's bed at your party last time?"