Chapter 5

Camden never returned after he left. Hungry and exhausted, Alice drifted into a deep, troubled sleep. Even in her dreams, she seemed haunted by sorrow, as her brows remained faintly furrowed throughout. She was jolted awake by a sharp, stabbing pain in her arm. When she looked down, she saw a large, blood-stained bandage wrapped around it. "I'm here to change your dressing. You just underwent a skin graft surgery," the nurse said as she prepared fresh gauze. "What skin graft surgery?" she asked, stunned. "Mrs. Bennett in the next room scraped her arm, so Mr. Bennett arranged for you to donate a patch of skin for her." The nurse sighed softly. "It just goes to show that some people are born under luckier stars. If Mrs. Bennett so much as gets a scratch, Mr. Bennett's beside himself. Folks like us sure don't get that kind of treatment." Alice's face turned deathly pale, her heart feeling as though a dagger had carved half of it away. "Could you please help me request a transfer to another hospital?" she asked with trembling lips and eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Transfer? What transfer?" Camden pushed the door open and strode in with his arms full of supplements and Alice's favorite goods. After taking off his coat, he personally washed her hands and feet. He then washed the fruits and fed them to her. He even followed a recipe meticulously, attempting it no less than ten times to prepare the most delicious and nutritious meal for her. "Darling, be good and eat well so you can get better quickly." He scooped a spoonful of soup and carefully blew on it to cool it down before bringing it to her lips. As always, he was attentive, considerate, and gentle. Alice watched it all, yet her heart grew colder with each passing day. Because she knew Camden's love had long since changed. He would carefully feed Elena the most flavorful portion of every nutritious meal. He would press his ear against Elena's belly again and again, his face full of anticipation as he said, "Just a few more months, and we'll feel the baby kick." He would wait until she was asleep, then steal intimate moments with Elena in the hospital room, until both were marked with traces of desire. He would introduce Elena to everyone, saying, "This is my wife. She's pregnant, so please take good care of her." Alice simply watched it all quietly, without tears or protests. Those who truly wished to leave seldom bothered with goodbyes, as they begrudged even a moment wasted on farewells. In the bitter winter cold, the wind swept up one fallen leaf after another. Alice only occasionally managed to call the agent handling her emigration paperwork, carefully timing it for when Camden was with Elena. On the day she was discharged, the agent finally asked someone to deliver a message to her. "Ms. Wilson, your paperwork should be completed by the morning after tomorrow." Alice finally let out a soft sigh of relief and allowed herself a small, unburdened smile. Camden's hand, which had been supporting Elena, stilled abruptly as his gaze drifted toward Alice. Her smile was just as beautiful as it had been five years ago. It was as if nothing had changed. But if one looked closely, one would find a faint trace of sorrow had settled between her brows. A strange, unnameable emotion stirred within him. Almost instinctively, he pulled Alice into his arms. "Darling, cheer up. I'll always be here for you." Alice subtly eased out of his embrace and offered a soft smile. "I'm alright." Camden suppressed his own unease and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Okay, let's get you home." All throughout the drive, his eyes kept returning to her. He was just about to reach for her hand when Elena's scream pierced the air. "Watch out!" A violent crash rang out. A black executive van had slammed into them, flipping their car over in an instant.