The Past is Hard to Recall

Chapter 3

As expected, just as my mind wandered further, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Winona's tearful voice echoed through, desperate and frantic. "Cole, why aren't you answering my calls? Have you fallen for that bitch Stella and abandoned me and our child?"

The sound of her throwing herself into Cole's arms followed, her hands wrapping around his neck. Wet, heated kisses filled the air, echoing in my ears. After what felt like an eternity, Cole's ragged breath finally broke the silence. "Don't you already know who I truly love? If it weren't for the money, if I didn't need to provide for you and the child, do you think I'd keep playing along with her?"

"And what about the wedding?" Winona demanded, her voice sharp. "I don't care what you say. You must marry me first, or I won't feel secure."

"She's just a lovesick fool," Cole sneered. "Don't be fooled by her coldness. She's head over heels for me. The moment I bring it up, she agrees to anything. She's pathetic."

Even with the memories of my past life weighing on me, my heart broke at the words. I could barely breathe through the sting. So, Winona was already pregnant. All this time, my devotion to Cole was nothing but pathetic in his eyes.

Tears slipped down my cheeks, soaking the pillow beneath me. The muffled sounds of their entanglement in the living room grew louder. Through the crack in the door, I could see them, their naked bodies entwined on the couch.

Winona's voice, no longer tinged with the earlier pretense of sadness, became playful and teasing. "Ah, be careful of the baby! Were you this impatient with Stella too?"

"Of course not," Cole chuckled. "She's always so cold and distant. How could she possibly be as much fun as you? You two are due around February. When the time comes, we'll just swap the babies and everything the Hale Family owns will be ours."

Their vile words echoed in my mind, each one digging deeper into my heart. Under the blanket, I dug my nails into my palms, but the sharp pain couldn't numb the crushing agony. My entire body felt paralyzed by the weight of it all.

After what felt like forever, Winona wrapped her arms around Cole's neck, her voice dripping with flirtation. "I've got a new outfit I just got today. Want to try it out?"

Without hesitation, Cole lifted her in his arms, carrying her off to their next battlefield. Exhausted and numb, I drifted into a restless sleep.

The next morning, I called my mother. When I told her about Cole wanting to hold a ceremony with Winona first, her usual composure cracked. She burst into curses, her fury evident.

When I mentioned my willingness to go along with the family's arranged marriage, she sighed deeply. "Your father and I always thought something was off about Cole. His gaze was never sincere, and he never seemed reliable. It's a relief you've come to your senses. They've been pressuring us, so if you've made up your mind, we can proceed in three days."

Three days. The exact date set for my wedding with Cole. I fell silent.

After hanging up, I heard the door open. Cole walked in, carrying breakfast. The moment he saw me, he set the food on the table. The scent of gardenias hit me, a fragrance I recognized as Winona's favorite. The intensity of it only confirmed how eventful their night had been after leaving here.

Frowning, I pushed away Cole's hands as he reached to embrace me. "The smell on you is too strong. It's nauseating."

He sniffed his arm, awkwardly laughing, his expression visibly forced. Seeing that I wasn't going to pursue it, he eagerly opened the breakfast and pushed it toward me. "It's your favorite, century egg and lean pork congee."

I didn't touch the spoon. I wanted to argue, but I realized it was pointless. The first time he made congee for me, I had told him I didn't like century eggs. But he insisted on adding them, claiming it was my favorite. Back then, I thought it was just carelessness.

It wasn't until this morning, when I checked Winona's social media from an alternate account, that I realized century egg and lean pork congee was her favorite, not mine.