She cleared my debts. She brought me into the Baker Family.
I thought I had found salvation. A second chance in life. Maybe even love.
But now I know the truth:
It was all a lie.
She didn’t bring me back out of love.
She brought me back to keep me close—
To watch me. To protect him.
Everything—our marriage, our smiles, her warmth—
It was guilt wrapped in charity.
And like a fool, I took it. I embraced it. I even showed it off like it was something to be proud of.
How laughable.
The door clicked shut. Her colleague was gone.
A moment later, Caroline entered the room.
Her steps were unsteady. Her eyes… unreadable.
She knelt beside me, cupped my face gently and pressed a kiss on my forehead.
Her drunken eyes shimmered with pain.
“Why are you standing by the door?” she asked, voice soft and slightly slurred.
“It’s nothing,” I replied gently. “I brought you some hangover soup but ended up spilling it by accident.”
She frowned slightly. “You should’ve let the nanny handle that. You’ve been exhausted lately. Get some rest, or I’ll feel even worse.”
Then she leaned in and kissed me on the lips.
The gesture was as tender and familiar as always.
But I couldn’t feel her warmth anymore.