Chapter 4

Alexander visited his mentors that evening. As he prepared to leave, one of them led him to a nearby chapel, calling the place deeply sacred and insisting on getting him a protection charm. But when they arrived, a priest who had never seen Alexander before addressed him by name. "You must be wondering how I know you," the priest said, smiling. "A year ago, a woman named Audrey Scurfield donated 80 million dollars to this chapel. "She climbed barefoot from the foot of the hill, pausing to pray every three steps to get a protection charm for you. But she didn't take it. She left it here and asked us to pray over it." Alexander's mentor brightened when he heard that. "Seeing such devotion between you two eases my mind." Alexander lowered his gaze. The sweet memories of the past now tangled with the sting of betrayal, unsettling the fragile calm he'd fought to regain. "Since you're here today by chance, take this protection charm with you." As Alexander accepted it and turned to leave, the priest called after him. "Wait, sir! Ms. Scurfield actually requested three more charms back then. You should take those as well." Alexander took them, but when he saw the names inscribed, a bitter laugh nearly escaped him. There, written clearly, were Gavin's name and the twins' names. … That night, Audrey returned home to find Alexander already asleep. For years, they had always waited for each other, never falling asleep unless they were in each other's arms. Tonight was the first time he hadn't stayed up. A ripple of unease ran through her. She hugged him, burying her face in his neck. "I missed you so much, honey. Even just a few hours apart felt like centuries. I wouldn't survive if you were ever gone." "Is that so?" Alexander murmured. "Oh, honey, I should mention something about that island we looked at. I had a psychic check its energy, and it was all wrong. So I went ahead and bought two others instead. I hope that's okay with you." Alexander closed his eyes. "Do whatever you want." Audrey sensed the cold impatience in his voice, which only deepened her unease. "Honey, did I do something wrong?" she asked carefully. "No, I'm just tired." Alexander drew a slow breath. "Our anniversary is coming up. Tomorrow evening, I'm taking the private jet overseas. I have a gift to pick up in person." "But you're still unwell. A 15-hour flight will wear you out. Let me go for you instead." Alexander quietly laughed. "An anniversary gift should be retrieved by the one giving it." Her heart softened at his words. She would've agreed to anything he asked. "Alright. If that's what you want." … The next morning, Audrey prepared breakfast before heading out, mentioning she had work at the office. Once she left, Alexander started packing. He opened the wardrobe, took out all the clothes he had once handmade for Audrey, and sliced them into pieces, throwing them in the trash. Every expensive gift she'd ever given him, he passed along to the household staff without a second thought. Alexander and Audrey had spent three years compiling 16 photo albums, treasures they vowed to cherish together in their later years. Now, he had thrown every last one into the fire. Audrey came home to grab some forgotten documents. Her mind went blank when she saw their photos curling black in the flames, a deafening roar pounding in her ears. Without thinking, she yanked the half-burned album from the flames. "Honey…" Her voice shook as she looked at Alexander. "Why did you burn them?" Alexander smiled. "No reason. I just thought they were ugly, so I didn't want to keep them." He approached Audrey and took her burned hand in his. "We have our whole lives ahead of us. We'll take more photos. Why did you put your hand in there? Look at what you've done to yourself. Let's get a doctor to treat this." The panic in Audrey's chest eased when she saw the worry in his eyes. She pouted playfully. "Blow on it, honey. Then it won't hurt anymore." If her employees saw her now, they'd never believe that she was their ice-cold boss. "Aren't you a little old for this? You're such a cheeky thing." Alexander stepped closer, blocking Audrey's view of the torn clothes in the trash bin. After taking her documents, she kissed him on the forehead and said, "I'm off to the office. I'll be back by noon." Moments after she left, Gavin's text arrived. "Your wife's here at The Grand Davern Hotel. I've got quite the show for you today." Alexander didn't respond. Now he knew the truth—she was actually with Gavin whenever she said she was at the office. He knew whatever awaited him there would ruin him. Still, he went anyway. Apparently, it was the twins' birthday. Audrey, Ronan, and Odette had all come together to celebrate with Audrey's friends. The party was held at a hotel, where the staff kept referring to Gavin as "Ms. Scurfield's husband". Audrey never corrected them. Instead, she and Gavin shared a smile, their eyes shining with warmth. Ronan and Odette smiled at Gavin with a warmth that Alexander had never witnessed before. "If not for Gavin, how could we have such a happy family life now? Audrey, don't you dare neglect him. Treat him well, you hear?" Audrey nodded while smiling. "When have I ever treated him poorly? Everything Alexander has, Gavin gets too—clothes, watches, houses, and cars. Aren't they always prepared in pairs?" Alexander had believed that he could face anything calmly, but at that moment, something inside him shattered. Every cherished memory he had shared with Audrey splintered into sharp fragments, piercing his heart until it was raw and bleeding. It turned out that everyone had known all along. And from the very beginning, what he believed was his alone had never been true. Everything he received, Gavin got too. And everything he was denied, Gavin somehow ended up with anyway.