Chapter 2

Firstly, Carmen filed an application to erase all of her personal information in the country. Then, she registered for Pendalith Design Contest, using an all-new identity. When Rosalia chopped off her right hand, she immediately shredded it with an electric meat grinder, making it impossible for her to reattach it in surgery. Claudio was so heartbroken that he spent ten billion dollars to make Carmen a nearly perfect prosthetic hand. She could go about her days unhindered, but she could no longer do any work that required high precision, such as drawing design sketches. With her dreams ruined, Carmen had tried to take her own life thrice. She had lost count of the sleepless nights, drowned in tears. At some point, she gritted her teeth and decided to pursue her dreams again—this time, with her left hand. It had been an arduous task. She spent countless days and nights at it, until her left hand was covered in blisters. At last, she made it to Pendalith Design Contest. Carmen hid it from Claudio because she wanted to surprise him with the fantastic news. She needed him to know that she had never submitted herself to her tragic fate. Now, she thanked the heavens that she didn't do it. If she had told him about it earlier, she might very well have lost her left hand as well. Lowering her head, she read the text on her phone. "Your application for a full erasure has been submitted, and it will be processed in ten working days." Ten days from now, Carmen would participate in the design contest in Pendalith, and it would be a one-way trip. As possessive as he was, Claudio couldn't possibly find someone whose personal information had been purged from the system. It was close to evening by the time she arrived at the villa. The air turned sharp and frigid, and everyone was in full panic mode. He had tied up every maid and was interrogating them for Carmen's whereabouts. The moment the maids saw her, they looked so relieved as if they had been pardoned for committing a cardinal sin. Claudio also let out a sigh of relief, the sharp iciness in his gaze immediately giving way to warmth and affection. He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "Carmy, where did you go? I was worried sick about you." Carmen's body stiffened. Eventually, she responded calmly, "I lost track of time while shopping." Claudio ruffled her hair helplessly. "Take me with you next time. Let me do my duty as a husband. I'll carry your shopping bags and settle your bills. Just give me a holler, and I'll be there." Husband? Something sharp twisted at Carmen's heart. No, he stopped being her husband three years ago. "It's our fifth anniversary today. Feast your eyes on the gifts I prepared for you." Claudio led Carmen to the helicopter pad in the backyard. Sweeping her off her feet, he carried her into the chopper. Once they were in the air, every light in the city below came to life, forming the word "I Love Carmy". The dazzling lights were a sight to behold, magnificent and breathtaking. Claudio leaned close to Carmen, his voice filled with adoration as he spoke. "My love for you lasts an eternity, Carmy." Before long, the chopper landed outside a grand manor that stood in the nearby neighborhood. Supposedly, a mysterious person bought it with five billion dollars, but there was a name plate next to its lavish, ornate gate—Carmy Manor. The manor was renovated in a dark and grand style, something that she mentioned she liked. The garden was filled with orchids, her favorite flower, and each stalk was worth more than 200 thousand dollars. Not far from here stood a dreamlike amusement park with all her favorite attractions, such as a carousel, a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and more. There was even a pet haven housing various adorable cats. He founded it all because she showed a stray cat some sympathy not long ago. As Carmen laid her eyes on everything that stood in front of her, a bittersweet ache rose in her chest, and her eyes turned slightly red as well. Claudio's love for her had never waned for the past five years. She couldn't deny that he had fulfilled every request she had, big and small. Yet, he had also irrefutably divided his love. He wiped her tears away. "It's a husband's duty to shower his wife with love. Stop crying, or you're gonna break my heart." Underneath a starlit sky, he went down on one knee and opened a jewelry box. "Carmy, the single luckiest thing in my life is marrying you. I love you so much it hurts, and I couldn't bear the thought of parting with you for even a second. "So, I had an idea. This pair of rings is very special. Yours has a chip, and mine has a receiver. From this day on, I'll always know what you're up to. No more guessing, and no more anxiety." Claudio's eyes were brimming with a fierce, obsessive love for Carmen. Just as he was about to slip the ring on her finger, his phone rang. It was a customized ringtone—Rosalia had just texted him. He cast a quick glance at it before sliding it onto her finger as if nothing had happened. Then, he got up and said, "Carmy, it's a text from an important client. I have to go, but I'll be back before you know it." At the next moment, Claudio sprinted toward the chopper and hauled himself in. Carmen waited until the distant thrums of the rotors had faded before she lowered her gaze and picked a cat off the floor. She remained crouched on the floor for a long time. The cat's furry body felt soft and tender to the touch, but her heart was plunged into a despairing coldness. The stray cat had found a new home, but she had lost hers.