Chapter 5 Heart-Chilling
794 Words
A chill ran down my spine. Could he really see me?
I stepped back twice, and his gaze crawled toward me.
The old me would have been a sobbing mess, heart shattered.
But now, I was dead, crushed under his indifference.
Even if he could see me, all I could do was watch coldly.
A scream pierced the air behind me, echoing sharply, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Why was Sophia here? Could she see me too?
I watched her run over, eyes wide with fear, then pass right through me to help Marcus off the ground.
"Marcus, what's going on? Are you alright?"
Marcus struggled to lift his eyelids, casting a bewildered glance in my direction.
"What's going on? I could've sworn I saw Faye just now."
"What did you say!?"
"I think I just saw her."
Sophia froze, her back stiffening as her eyes scanned the room with a cold, fierce intensity.
Only when she found nothing did she relax.
"Marcus, you must be in so much pain you're hallucinating. Isn't Faye over in the neighboring province?"
Sophia gave Marcus some medicine, and his face eased, but he still seemed troubled, staring at the spot where I had stood.
He muttered to himself, puzzled, "I really saw her just now. It was so real. Could something have happened to her?"
"What did you just say?" Sophia asked, puzzled.
But Marcus just closed his eyes, exhausted.
Sophia had hoped to spend the night with Marcus, but after a long while of trying, he showed no interest and eventually sent her to the guest room.
I can only say, that Marcus still had some decency. If he had let Sophia sleep in my bed, I would have been even more restless in death.
Maybe it was because Marcus had caught a glimpse of me; he tossed and turned all night.
I savored his nightmares; they were nothing compared to the hell I endured.
When Marcus woke, the first thing he did was have his assistant book a flight to the neighboring province.
His face was clouded, the heaviest his mood had been in days.
Sophia, hearing the noise, stumbled out sleepily, looking puzzled.
"Marcus, where are you going so early? Aren't you having breakfast?"
"No, I'm heading to the neighboring province to get Faye. I dreamt she was in danger."
Sophia's sleepiness vanished, jealousy flashing in her eyes before she spoke softly, "Marcus, at least have breakfast before you go. You had a stomach issue yesterday. If you see Faye and have another attack, she'll be worried."
That was then. Now, I wouldn't mind if he suffered from stomach issues every single day.
After all, compared to being dead, a little pain is nothing.
"I'll go with you after breakfast."
"No need. Seeing you would upset her." Marcus looked at her and added, "You should leave later."
Sophia paused mid-bite, her eyes dropping with a flicker of malice.
When she looked up again, she put on her sweetest, most innocent expression, as if she hadn't heard a word Marcus had just said.
With Sophia's coaxing, Marcus picked at his breakfast, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Seeing the worry etched in his eyes, I couldn't help but wonder what had haunted his dreams last night.
It seemed I still held some significance in his heart, though I no longer cared.
At least my past efforts didn't feel like a one-person show, dancing to a tune only I could hear.
But soon, reality hit me like a cold splash of water. Even though there was plenty of time before the flight, Marcus was already grabbing his coat, eager to leave.
Just as he stepped out, a servant urgently called him back, "Something's wrong! Miss Vaughn fell down the stairs and fainted."
The man who was ready to leave dashed back, his face a portrait of panic as he carried the unconscious Sophia to the car.
He looked more frantic than he ever did when he heard about my death.
The driver glanced nervously at the rearview mirror, hesitated, and then asked, "Are we still heading to the airport?"
"To the hospital!" Marcus barked.
I couldn't help but laugh. Between Sophia and me, Marcus would always choose her.
It was true before, and it was true now. Even during the crucial moment of Jake's birth, a single call from Sophia overseas would have him dropping everything to watch fireworks with her.
I saw it clearly—she hadn't tumbled down the stairs, just twisted her ankle on the way down. How could anyone faint from just a couple of steps?
The assistant chimed in, "Mr. West, the flight will be delayed. Are we still going?"
This instantly ignited Marcus's irritation, "Can't you see Sophia's in distress?"
- Writer
