Chapter 3

Evelyn trudged five miles before she found a taxi.

Back home, she began to burn with fever. But she pressed on, preparing the lawsuit documents one by one.

When Aidan returned late at night, he found the house pitch-black, which surprised him.

No matter how late he came back, Evelyn always left a light on for him. Had she not returned today?

He opened the bedroom door and saw Evelyn's figure curled up under the blankets, his heart tightening.

The last time he saw her like this was when he had a severe cold, and Evelyn, caring for him, caught it and fainted in the kitchen with a 104-degree fever.

That incident left her with a condition where fevers triggered seizures.

His eyes darkened as he called out softly. "Sweetheart, are you running a fever? Have you taken any medicine?"

Hearing Aidan's voice, Evelyn, dazed, wanted to move away from him but lacked the strength.

"There's no fever medicine at home." Her voice rasped, her throat sore and raw.

Aidan frowned, stood to buy medicine, but noticed a folder by the bedside. "What's this?"

Evelyn glanced at it calmly-it was the lawsuit documents she hadn't hidden in time. "Nothing, just work files."

Since graduating, she worked in the translation department of Aidan's company and often brought files home, so he didn't suspect anything. "Stay in bed. I'll get the medicine."

His phone rang, and Evelyn saw "Little Vixen" on the screen, knowing it was Dayna.

"Hello, what's wrong?" Aidan walked out, answering the call. Evelyn struggled to get up, needing water from the living room.

"What? Max threw up? Don't cry, I'm bringing a vet right now." Aidan rushed out, eyes full of worry, forgetting to tell Evelyn.

The door slammed shut, and a sharp pain stabbed Evelyn's chest.

Max, the dog Dayna and Aidan raised together, never warmed to Evelyn despite her three years of care.

In Aidan's heart, she ranked below a dog.

For the first time in three years, Aidan didn't come home that night.

Evelyn burned with fever all night, only starting to recover by the next afternoon.

She headed downstairs to buy food but heard noises from the garage.

The neighborhood had good security, so it couldn't be a thief. As she approached, she recognized the sounds of a man and woman in passion.

In the very car where her father died, Aidan held a naked Dayna tightly in his arms.

His muffled groans mixed with Dayna's soft gasps, piercing Evelyn's ears.

Evelyn covered her mouth to stifle her sobs. How could they do this in that car? Weren't they afraid her father's spirit would haunt their dreams?

"Oh... Aidan, doing this here... it's so thrilling!" Dayna tilted her head, offering herself to Aidan's lips, giggling as she kissed his forehead.

Aidan, provoked, grew more fervent, the rhythmic thuds echoing in the quiet garage. "Little vixen, always with your wild ideas, insisting on doing it here."

Dayna nibbled his earlobe, and Aidan groaned, his movements growing frantic.

...

Tears streamed through Evelyn's fingers. She wanted to flee, but her eyes locked with Dayna's.

Dayna smirked at her, eyes full of provocation. "Aidan, who do you love more, me or Evelyn?"

Dayna stared at Evelyn, raising her voice to ask Aidan.

Lost in passion, Aidan rasped, "Of course it's you, darling. I've never loved Evelyn."

Dayna's face glowed with triumph, but Evelyn felt a chill run through her.

She had already decided to leave and didn't care if Aidan loved her, but hearing him say it still made her heart ache until she could barely breathe.

Countless nights, Aidan had held her the same way, whispering love in her ear. She had been too naive, believing he meant it.

The sounds from the garage continued, but Evelyn heard nothing more.

The moment she turned away, she left Aidan behind in her memories forever.