Aiden had just stepped out when the doorbell rang.
Caroline opened the door to find a woman standing there with a fancy pastry box.
“Hi, I’m Elise Versta–the one who’s been texting you,” she said with a smile that was both charming and challenging.
“Aiden’s been so attentive lately, I thought I’d bring some homemade treats as thanks. You wouldn’t turn away a guest, would you?”
Without waiting for an answer, Elise walked right in and started looking around.
She paused in the garden. “These roses… they’re my favorite. Can’t believe Aiden’s still growing
them.”
Caroline’s fingers trembled. She remembered how Aiden tended those roses himself every morning, never letting the gardener touch them.
She’d thought it was just his hobby.
By the pond, several turtles lazily sunbathed on the rocks.
“Oh my god, they’re still alive!” Elise exclaimed. “I had these as a kid. Left them when I moved abroad. Thought they’d be long dead.”
Caroline recalled how Aiden religiously fed those turtles every day. A tightness formed in her chest.
In the living room, Elise’s eyes swept over the display shelf. “Those are all my favorite collectibles.”
Then she looked around. “Even the furniture is my style–Scandinavian minimalist.”
Caroline followed her, each step feeling like walking on broken glass.
The home where she’d lived for two years suddenly felt like it belonged to someone else.
In the bedroom, Elise ran her fingers over the suits in the closet. “These are the ones I got him. Can’t believe he still keeps them in such good shape.”
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Done Plaving My Uncle–Hubby’s Forbidden Backup Doll
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Chapter 3
Caroline remembered ironing those clothes herself every day. Something caught in her throat.
So when he never let her handle these items, it wasn’t because he was particular–it was because
they were Elise’s gifts.
Finally, Elise stopped in front of their wedding photos.
“What a coincidence,” she said with a tilted smile. “Aiden and I once talked about taking three themed wedding photos: desert, ocean, and forest. Looks like you chose the exact same themes.”
The color drained from Caroline’s face.
When they’d planned their wedding photos, Aiden had insisted on those three themes. She’d thought he was just a nature lover.
“What are you doing here?”
Aiden’s voice came from the doorway as he walked in and looked displeased.
Elise immediately switched to a sweet smile. “I made some pastries and gifted you. Your darling
wife invited me in and even asked me to stay for dinner.”
Aiden’s expression softened as he turned to Caroline. “This is Elise, my childhood neighbor. We grew up like siblings. She’s been abroad until recently, which is why you haven’t met her before.”
Caroline stared at him in silence.
Childhood neighbor? Like siblings?
He really was good at hidding their relationship.
And Elise was more than happy to go along with the act. “That’s right. Aiden’s always taken care of
- me. I was a picky eater growing up, and he learned to cook just for me. His sweet & spicy wings, Acai
bowls, and Cheesecake… those were always my favorites.”
Caroline’s nails dug into her palms.
These were exactly the dishes Aiden made most often. She’d naively thought it was because she
liked them.
Unable to fake a smile, she excused herself, claiming she felt unwell and went upstairs.
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Done Plaving My Uncle–Hubby’s Forbidden Backun Doll
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Chapter 3
But not long after, Elise knocked on the door–holding a bowl of medicine.
“Aiden made this for you. Said it’s to help with the pregnancy. He asked me to bring it up,” she said
with an innocent smile. “Drink it while it’s hot.”
Caroline took the bowl. The smell was bitter and sharp.
“By the way…” Elise suddenly asked, “You wouldn’t happen to be naming the baby Noah if it’s a boy
and Lily if it’s a girl, would you? Those were the names Aiden and I picked out years ago.”
Caroline’s hand trembled and the bowl nearly slipped.
Those were exactly the names Aiden had suggested when she first got pregnant.
So even their child was meant to be another tribute to Elise?
A sharp pain shot through her chest, and before she could react-
“Oops!”
Elise “accidentally” knocked over the bowl, splashing the scalding liquid onto Caroline’s arm. Her skin reddened and blistered instantly.
Caroline hissed in pain, ignoring Elise’s apologies as she headed downstairs for the first aid kit with her face pale.
As she passed the top of the stairs, she felt a hard shove against her back.
“Ah!”
Caroline tumbled down the stairs, landing hard on the first floor. Blood spread beneath her, staining the beige carpet.
Seconds later, Elise also came rolling down.
In the kitchen, Aiden was about to open the refrigerator when he heard the commotion and rushed
out.
His eyes locked on the scene and his face went pale.
“Elise!” He ran to catch ther as she stumbled, anxiously checking her ankle. “Are you hurt?”
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Done Plaving My Uncle Hubby’s Forbidden Rackun Doll
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Chapter 3
“I’m… I’m fine,” Elise said weakly. “Check on Caroline…”
Then Aiden found Caroline lying in the pool of blood, but Elise suddenly “fainted” in his arms.
“Elise!”
His usually calm voice was filled with panic. He picked Elise up and rushed toward the door, not
sparing Caroline a second glance.
Caroline watched them leave and her vision blurring.
When she came to, harsh white light made Caroline squint uncomfortably.
A doctor was examining her while Aiden stood nearby, his expression grave.
“How’s the baby?” he asked the doctor.
The doctor looked up in confusion. “Baby? Ms. Flores had her pregnancy terminated days ago.”
