Chapter 2Five Years Gone, They Thought I Was Dead

I excused the staff and stood before my tombstone.

Caleb followed, tossing the red roses to the ground. His voice, laced with the fury of someone deceived, cut through the air.

"Audrey Hayes, you're quite the actress, aren't you? Living in guilt for five years must have been amusing for you, huh? Not even a single message."

I answered nonchalantly.

"Didn't you tell me yourself? To never bother you again."

Five years ago, when I received the news that he was marrying Maya, I rushed to the wedding venue in a panic.

On the way, I got into a car accident. I was pinned by the airbag in the driver's seat, nearly dying.

I called him, begging him to come and save me.

But he was busy putting the veil on Maya. My phone rang again and again.

He finally answered on the very last ring.

"Maya has lived a tough life as an illegitimate child. Can't you even tolerate her having one wedding? Forget about a car accident, even if you were dead, don't bother me. I *will* marry Maya!"

Caleb and I met when we were seven, fell in love at eighteen, and got engaged at twenty-three.

At twenty-six, he wished me dead just so he could marry my father's illegitimate daughter.

In that moment, I swore I'd never bother him again.

Now, hearing my words, he gave a strained smile.

"It was just a joke, you took it too seriously."

He straightened up, looking me up and down.

"How did you know I'd be at the cemetery today? And you're wearing my favorite green coat..."

His eyes, devoid of any genuine warmth, narrowed at me.

"You're not actually thinking that after playing dead for five years, if you just act dumb and play hard to get, I'll fall back in love with you, are you? I'm telling you, Maya has been amazing to me these past few years. Unless you genuinely apologize and beg me, I'll never—"

"You're overthinking it."

I cut him off, unable to stand it any longer.

"I came back to help my mom relocate her burial plot. Once it's done, I'm leaving immediately."

"And..."

I paused, then turned and walked towards the cemetery gate.

"Since you're married, you should probably stop wearing our engagement ring."

"It's all faded."