Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in our master bedroom.

My body felt no numbness.

I sat up abruptly and rushed to the mirror.

My neck was intact, no knife marks.

"Elara?"

Julian's voice came from the bedroom doorway.

I flinched.

He was holding a breakfast tray, his eyes filled with gentle concern.

"Had a nightmare?"

He put down the tray and walked over, reaching to touch my forehead.

I instinctively recoiled.

His hand froze mid-air, his eyes darkening slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing."

I forced myself to calm down.

"Just dreamt something bad."

"What did you dream about?"

Julian sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand.

"I dreamt you killed me."

I stared into his eyes, saying each word deliberately.

Julian paused, then laughed.

"Don't be silly. How could I ever hurt you?"

"You're my wife, the person I love most."

His eyes were sincere when he said this, even showing a hint of doting affection.

Before, I would have thrown myself into his arms.

But now, I just wanted to vomit.

"Where's Serena?"

I suddenly asked.

"Was she here last night?"

Julian's expression froze instantly.

He frowned.

"She was on duty at the hospital last night. Why would she be here? You're overthinking things again."

"I heard her voice."

I insisted.

"In your study."

"My study?"

Julian stood up and walked towards the door.

"I'll go check. Maybe you had a night terror and imagined things."

He left the bedroom, and I immediately followed him.

Julian pushed open the study door. It was neat as usual.

I walked to where he had stood earlier, carefully examining the bookshelf.

In my memory, the dark room was behind the third shelf.

I reached out to push it, but it wouldn't budge.

Julian hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"What's really going on with you? Do you want to go to the hospital for a check-up?"

My body stiffened.

"Maybe I really am just too tired."

I forced myself to relax.

"I have class today, I'll go get ready."

On the way to school, I was completely on edge.

"Elara!"

Someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I turned to see my friend, Chloe.

"What's wrong with you? You look awful."

She looked at me worriedly.

"I heard you had a miscarriage last week. Haven't you recovered yet?"

I froze.

"Miscarriage? Last week?"

"Yeah, last Wednesday."

Chloe looked at me strangely.

"Dr. Thorne even took time off to be with you. We were all so jealous."

I grabbed her hand.

"What's the date today?"

"April 18th. Why?"

In my memory, yesterday was April 25th.

I had gone back a week.

I couldn't focus in class all day.

My mind was filled with those glass jars and Julian with the scalpel.

When the bell rang for dismissal, my phone vibrated.

It was a message from Julian:

"Serena is treating us to dinner tonight to celebrate her promotion to attending physician. Remember to come."

I stared at my phone screen, my fingers cold.

If my memory was real, this dinner was a trap.

If I didn't go, Julian would get suspicious.

After a long hesitation, I replied with an "Okay."