Chapter 4: Future Plan

"Mami, why does this pasta taste different?"

Amie forced a smile onto her lips, while her heart continued beating rapidly. From the little information she had gathered about Rauf’s relationship with June, she knew that June personally prepared his meals.

And no one in the mansion could replicate her taste.

"Darling, maybe it’s because you just had surgery. You’re not relying heavily on your sense of taste yet."

Rauf frowned.

He doubted that, but there was no reasonable explanation for why Amie’s pasta should taste so horrible.

Maybe it was the fatigue of going back and forth to the hospital. But still, he pushed the pasta aside. He just couldn’t get himself to swallow something so horrible.

Amie felt her palms grow sweaty. "I promise to remake it for you just the way you like it once you get discharged. By then, it should taste better."

She closed the food flask and thrust it into the bag.

Thankfully, she was able to come up with something, or else Rauf might have noticed something was wrong.

Satisfied with her response, Rauf nodded. "Great." His eyes moved over her slowly. "I can’t believe I can finally look at you all I want now." Then his brow furrowed. "Where’s the gift you promised to give me once I regained my sight?"

Amie froze.

What gift?

She tried racking her brain to see if she had gotten any information on that, but nothing. The maids and guards barely knew what they discussed in their private room.

She chuckled. "I’m still preparing the gift. Can you wait a little more?" She hurried and placed a kiss on his cheek to distract him.

But Rauf wasn’t distracted at all.

Before he agreed to go for the surgery, his wife had promised him an encouraging gift. And she assured him the gift was ready. All he had to do was go for the surgery and get well.

So, why was she claiming to be preparing the gift now?

Something didn’t add up.

Before he could think of it further, Amie pulled out a chain from her purse. "Look at this. I still have the chain you gave to me."

Rauf smiled at it.

He had given this chain to his wife, but he had no idea what the chain looked like. It was to celebrate their third wedding anniversary.

What was he thinking, that things weren’t adding up?

If Amie had the chain, it was clear that Amie was his wife.

He shouldn’t be distracted by little things.

He collected the chain from her and carefully placed it around her neck. "I’m glad I can finally put this around your neck myself."

Amie beamed.

Thankfully, she had found the stupid chain when the maids were clearing the room to throw out June’s stuff. And one of the stupid maids had seen Rauf giving it to her on their third wedding anniversary.

Satisfied with it, she smiled at Rauf.

If she were being honest, the chain rightfully belonged to her, and she was taking it back.

Meanwhile, June left the hospital and spent the last cash she had with her to take a ride back to Ellie’s house.

With her family in support of Amie’s scheme, she refused to return to Trevor’s house. And she had absolutely nowhere to go.

When Ellie saw her, she didn’t utter a word. She only pulled her closer as if she could read her mind.

She let her cry out her heart’s desire while cursing Rauf’s name.

When they were done with that, Ellie prepared hot pepper soup for her.

June gladly ate everything, leaving nothing on the plate. She had no idea if it was because she hadn’t eaten or if it was the pregnancy making her very hungry.

She thanked Ellie before lying down to catch some sleep.

When she woke up, Ellie had gone to work, leaving a note beside her that some side dishes were in the freezer and she should make herself feel at home.

June felt more like a bother than a mouth.

She knew Ellie was also striving to take care of herself. She couldn’t impose on her like that.

She needed to find something to do.

The past five years of her life had been spent satisfying Rauf. She had buried her own dreams and ambitions just to satisfy Rauf and make sure he was okay.

But now it felt like she had wasted most of her time.

By the time Ellie got back from work, June was still curled up on the bed. She couldn’t afford to eat any more from Ellie.

"Come on! You need to eat for the baby to be strong." Ellie insisted. She even resorted to feeding June herself until she was certain she had had enough.

After the meal, June asked, "What do I do with myself now?" Her voice was timid, scared. "If it was just me, I wouldn’t be bothered that much, but look at this." She pointed at her stomach. "I have a baby on the way and I can barely even take care of myself. How am I supposed to care for the innocent child coming?"

Ellie held her back. "Don’t ever think you’re alone. I promise to be here to support you."

"But..."

"No buts, June. We’re friends. And a friend in need is a friend indeed."

June wiped off her tears and let out a small smile. "Even then, I can’t let you take all the responsibility for us. I have to do something too."

Ellie smiled. "I’ve thought about this while at work. Why don’t we go back to school?"

June snorted. "School? How am I supposed to pay for school when I can’t even feed myself? And remember, I am pregnant."

Ellie nodded. "I already know you will have tons of excuses not to. But, June, you were the most brilliant student I knew before you forfeited everything for a marriage of love. I know you can survive this. So, I saw some part-time schools online. We can work and go to school."

She wasn’t sure Ellie’s plan was the best. "And what about my baby?"

Ellie sighed. "Don’t worry. I’ll be here to support you all the way."