He Loved Me Only after My Heart No Longer for Him

I stared at Henry for a long moment, realizing he wasn’t joking.

Thinking of the things I still needed to prepare for Andrew’s burial, I swallowed my resentment and humiliation, then bowed to Anya. “I’m sorry.”

Anya’s eyes fell on the necklace around my neck and she feigned curiosity. “Henry, doesn’t that look like a lucky charm? Since you can’t come with me to pray for the baby these next two days, why don’t you lend me yours for a while?”

My heart tightened. That necklace was made from Andrew’s severed finger.

Without hesitation, Henry reached toward me. “Give it to her.”

When I didn’t move, his brow furrowed. “Kate, can’t you hear me?”

“Anything else, I can give her. Not this.” I gripped the necklace tightly.

But Anya was set on taking it. Henry yanked it from my neck and shoved it into her hand.

The moment she saw it clearly, she flung it away in disgust.

I ran out like a madwoman, trying to catch it, nearly throwing myself off the third-floor balcony.

Henry grabbed my hair and yanked me back.

Behind me, Anya’s eyes flashed with jealousy.

“Kate, are you crazy? If you want to die, don’t do it in the house. That’s bad luck!”

I ignored Henry completely. Even when he almost tore my scalp, I didn’t make a sound.

Thinking of the severed finger necklace lying in a corner, I shoved Henry away, pushed Anya aside and rushed downstairs.

In the flowerbed, bright roses bloomed. Anya loved flowers, especially roses, so a year ago Henry filled the yard with them for her.

But I was allergic to pollen. Even after I begged Henry three times to consider my feelings, he refused.

He even called me pretentious in secret, saying, “No one else has allergies, but you do. Trying to act special?”

I endured the sting of my pollen allergy and tore at the rose bushes with my bare hands.

The thorns cut into my skin, but I didn’t care.

After a long while, thunder rolled overhead and the autumn wind slapped my face, blowing my tangled hair.

Soon, heavy rain poured down. I bit my lower lip, forcing myself to stay calm.

Just as I was about to lose hope, I saw something.

I pushed aside the roses and pulled out the broken, mud-stained necklace, holding it close to my chest. Instinctively, I looked up at the master bedroom on the third floor.

Through the closed window, I saw two figures, locked in an embrace, kissing passionately. The sight sent a jolt through my heart, leaving my mind blank.

I gripped the severed finger tightly.

Andrew, Mom will take you away.

Two days later, I woke up in the hospital.

I opened my eyes and saw Henry sitting by the bed, peeling an apple. Without even looking at me, he said, “You know your body isn’t well, yet you still do such shameless things. Don’t think this will make me pity you.

“If Anya hadn’t been so kind and worried you might die there, I wouldn’t have saved you. Now that you’re awake, go thank her.”

He finished peeling the apple, then began carving it slowly. “Anya was terrified when you fainted. The doctor said she miscarried and needs care.”

“Since you’ve been pregnant and given birth before, you should take care of Anya’s daily needs.”

My face was pale, my eyes empty as I listened to Henry’s endless words.

When I didn’t respond, his eyes flashed with irritation. “I’m talking to you. Didn’t you hear me? Or did you lose your voice after getting caught in the rain?”

I stayed silent and Henry waved his hand impatiently. “Don’t play stubborn with me. Don’t forget, your Vergara family fell long ago. You’re only alive now because my Taylor Family kept you.”