Chapter 2

Roxanne's POV: After resting for a couple days, I contacted a reseller I knew in order to sell off all my clothes and jewelry. "Mr. Huntington spoils you so, Mrs. Huntington. He only just ordered the latest fashion collection for you yesterday, and he's already asking you to clear your wardrobe?" the reseller said. I only smiled in response. As I casually scrolled through Megan's social media feed, my eyes fell on her most recent post. It was uploaded earlier today and showcased a handbag from this season. It seemed like the latest seasonal collections had found their new owner. After seeing Anna White off, I asked my best friend, Jennifer Houston, to join me to check out some properties. I drove out to the countryside with her in tow and stopped outside a cemetery. Jennifer gave me a strange look. I didn't explain myself to her and only brought her into the cemetery with me. The cemetery was situated in a picturesque location filled with hillocks and rivers. It was a prime gravesite choice for many wealthy families. The cemetery staff warmly introduced us to the place. After walking through the entire cemetery, I chose a spot I liked and paid the deposit. My parents had passed on some years ago, and I was also an only child. Since I knew there wouldn't be anyone to make my burial arrangements for me, I decided to choose a prime burial plot for myself. Silas had raked in a lot of money throughout his years of working, but I could never bear to spend any of it. Instead, I always saved it up for him. Who knew that by the time I finally came to my senses, I'd be spending Silas' money in such a place? Sure enough, one was doomed to a miserable life the moment they cared about another man too much. The cemetery staff asked me about the name of the owner of the plot. "It's me. The plot is mine. I bought it for myself." I wrote my name down on the form. I then left the cemetery with Jennifer while everyone else watched on with a mixture of shock and pity. The moment we got into the car, Jennifer shrilled, "What on earth is going on, Roxanne? Why are you scouting gravesites for yourself?" Fear and concern filled Jennifer's eyes. She was scared of losing me. I couldn't help but think about Silas. If he'd been the one who'd joined me today, would he have been scared too? "Roxanne!" Jennifer cried, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I have pancreatic cancer. The doctor says I have about a month left to live," I said, gazing out the car window. My voice was so calm, it was as if I wasn't talking about myself but someone else instead. I had initially thought to come here alone. But it really was a little pitiful to have to face such a day alone. Plus, I still needed Jennifer to help me settle my posthumous affairs. I felt a surprising sense of gladness as I watched Jennifer's eyes redden with unshed tears. So, there were still people in this world who cared about me. But what followed right after was an intense pain in my abdomen. The consistent stabbing pain was so bad that cold sweat broke out all over my body. Jennifer wanted to bring me to the hospital right away, but I pleaded with her to take me home instead. In truth, I was scared too. I was scared of lying alone in a cold hospital. I didn't want to be confined to those small hospital beds. I tried my best to stay conscious in order not to worry Jennifer too much. Unfortunately, I still blacked out in the end after being overwhelmed by the pain. As I flitted between consciousness and unconsciousness, I heard Jennifer making a phone call. "Silas Huntington! Get your ass back home right now, you bastard!" Jennifer yelled. Jennifer had already left by the time Silas reached home. I was seated on the couch with a cup of warm water in my hands. I had lost a good amount of weight in a mere handful of days. My once-snug clothes now draped loosely on me. How torturous this cancer was. "What trick are you pulling now? When will you finally stop, huh? Do you have any idea how busy I am?" Silas' brows furrowed together. I had nothing to say back to him. The front door opened again, and Megan walked in. She had a bag of fruits in hand. Before I could ask Silas what was going on, Megan hurriedly said, "I insisted on coming over, Mrs. Huntington. I heard about you passing out when I was shopping with Mr. Huntington earlier today, so I figured I'd come and pay you a visit too." I snorted. "What's with the attitude?" Silas snapped, his brows knitted tightly together. "When did you become so uncultured, Roxanne Keane?" "Does your definition of 'cultured' include cheating on your lawfully-married wife?" I gazed coldly at him. Silas was left speechless. "Please don't get angry, Mrs. Huntington. It's all my fault. Please don't blame Mr. Huntington," Megan said in a shaky tone, even as glee flitted across her face. "If you don't like me or want me here, I'll leave at once." "I'm coming with you!" Silas roared angrily. "This house isn't fit to be a home anymore with such a vindictive woman around!" As I looked at how furious Silas was, I recalled what our first day of moving into this house had been like. Silas had held my hand and brought me on a tour of the entire house. When we were done, we cuddled on the couch, where he said that his home was wherever I was. Yet now, he was saying this place wasn't fit to be called a home anymore. My hand tightened around my cup of water as I looked down, holding my tears back with all my might. Silas held Megan's hand and was about to leave when his phone suddenly rang. He hesitated briefly before striding over to the balcony to answer the call. Megan eased up on her act right after seeing Silas walk away. She gazed at the flower vase on the table and asked, "Looks like the flowers have been swapped with lilies. You like daisies, right?" I furrowed my brows together. How did Megan know? "You don't really think this is my first time coming here, do you?" Megan chuckled lightly. Her gaze drifted all over the room. "Each corner of this house—the couch, the kitchen, the study, yes, even the bed you share with Silas—I'm more acquainted with them than you think." I was utterly frozen to the spot. It felt like I had been splashed with ice water. I had carefully picked out every single piece of furniture in this house, yet now, they seemed so vile and filthy to me. "By the way, has the chair in the study been changed? It's not very comfortable…" I raised my hand and slapped Megan on the cheek, unable to listen to her go on any longer. Megan's cheek immediately swelled up. She chuckled softly, then instantly started sobbing. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Huntington. I swear it won't happen again," Megan cried. I was brutally shoved aside in the very next second. "What is wrong with you, Roxanne Keane?" Silas roared.