Chapter 3
Waylon was intimidated by his imposing presence and hastily apologized before leaving the room.
Alexander walked over to Caroline with a cold expression, his tone clearly displeased: “Next time you encounter someone like that, just tell them you have a boyfriend. Is it really that hard to say?”
Caroline looked at him, feeling nothing but absurdity.
He had said he would never love her for the rest of his life, yet what was this sudden possessiveness about?
A few days after Caroline was discharged from the hospital, Alexander suddenly suggested taking her to a class reunion.
She knew he had never bothered with such events before, but this time he brought it up himself-clearly he had ulterior
motives.
Sure enough, when they arrived at the gathering, Caroline immediately spotted Mila.
On the surface, Alexander appeared cold and distant toward Mila, as if they had no special relationship.
But genuine feelings for someone can’t be hidden.
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Halfway through the party, Caroline went to the restroom.
When she returned, she found everyone playing truth or dare.
Mila had lost and was required to answer an intimate question.
She looked extremely embarrassed and was about to speak when Alexander suddenly grabbed the card and said coldly, “I’ll take the punishment for her.
The question on the card was: Who is the object of your sexual fantasies? Say her initials.
Everyone started cheering, and one man said, “This topic might be private, but it’s nothing for him. He has a girlfriend, so the answer must be his girlfriend.”
Alexander fell silent for a moment, then said flatly, “MH.”
Caroline’s heart plummeted, her fingertips trembling slightly.
MH was Mila Hall.
Caroline couldn’t bear to watch anymore and turned to leave.
After walking out of the club, she sent Alexander a message: I’m not feeling well, heading home first.
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Caroline stood by the roadside, just raising her hand to hail a taxi when a familiar voice came from behind: “Caroline.”
She froze for a moment, then turned to see Alexander striding quickly toward her.
“Why did you come out?” Caroline asked.
Alexander frowned slightly, his eyes filled with urgency: “Didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well? What’s wrong? I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Caroline looked at him, complex emotions surging in her heart.
She shook her head and said calmly, “I’m fine, just a little dizzy. Aren’t you going back to continue the party?”
“You’re my girlfriend. My girlfriend said she wasn’t feeling well and left-what would I be doing staying there?” After saying this, Alexander reached out to touch her forehead, as if checking whether she had a fever.
Caroline looked at him, feeling somewhat confused.
She thought: “Didn’t he come out tonight just to see Mila? Why did he run out because of one message from me?”
But Caroline didn’t ask more questions—there was no need to.
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Chapter 3
Just moments ago, her parents had sent a message saying the paperwork was almost complete. She could leave this place the day after tomorrow and get away from all of this for good.
Alexander found that her forehead wasn’t hot and finally relaxed. He didn’t press further, just said quietly, “Let’s go home.”
*****
In the middle of the night, Caroline was sleeping groggily when she vaguely heard the sound of a phone call coming from the balcony.
She opened her eyes and tiptoed over, discovering Alexander standing on the balcony smoking.
His phone was on speaker, placed on the nearby railing. Though the volume was low, when she got closer, she could still make out the conversation.
A man said, “Alexander, about the 99th revenge, we need to think of something more ruthless. Isn’t the day after tomorrow your anniversary? You can tell Caroline you’ve prepared a surprise for her, then blindfold her and take her to that abandoned villa of mine. Once you’re there, find an excuse to step out. Then we’ll set fire to the outside, lock the doors, and trap her in the flames. What do you think?”
Another man said, “That’s a great idea. She’ll definitely be terrified and frantically pound on the doors.”
A woman chimed in, “Exactly. Let her taste despair.”
Laughter came through the phone, as if everyone thought this suggestion was brilliant.
Imagining that scene, Alexander couldn’t control his anger, his voice filled with rage: “No. I don’t agree.”
A man asked, “Alexander, why are you disagreeing again? Haven’t you always wanted to end this revenge game quickly? We promise no one will die. We’ll open the door at the last moment when she can’t take it anymore.”
Alexander’s voice remained cold and firm: “No, it’s too risky. She can’t get hurt.”
Someone on the other end of the phone said in confusion, “Alexander, I heard today that you left Mila behind and chased after Caroline. Mila cried all night, and it took you forever to comfort her. To keep her from overthinking, you immediately discussed the 99th revenge plan with us. But why do you keep refusing? Do you still remember who you really like? Just break up with Caroline and go back to Mila. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted to do?”
Alexander’s breathing suddenly became rapid, as if he wanted to
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back. Just then, Mila’s voice suddenly came through the argue phone.
She said, “Alexander, I heard your conversation just now. I’m asking you right now-I must use this method to get revenge on Caroline. Do you agree or not?”
Alexander fell silent.
Mila’s voice carried a sob: “You promised me you’d do anything for me.”
Alexander finally said in a hoarse voice, “I agree. I’ll do whatever you say.”
Mila immediately broke into a smile through her tears, and his friends were equally excited: “Perfect! We can’t wait for that day.”
Alexander reminded them repeatedly: “Don’t let anything go wrong.”
Standing in the shadows, Caroline felt her heart being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe.
She quietly returned to her room, picked up her phone, and sent
a message.
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*****
On their anniversary, Alexander followed the plan and said to Caroline, “Caroline, I’ve prepared a surprise for you today. Close your eyes, and I’ll take you somewhere.”
Caroline looked at him deeply for a long time, didn’t resist, and closed her eyes.
Alexander smiled, blindfolded her with a silk ribbon, then led
her to the car.
After the car stopped, Alexander helped her into the villa and said softly, “Wait here for me. I’m going to get your gift—I’ll be right back.”
Caroline stood in place, listening to his footsteps gradually fade
away.
Just as he was about to close the door, Caroline suddenly called out to him.
She said, “Alexander, do you know? I really like you.”
Alexander’s footsteps paused, and Caroline’s voice came again, slowly.
She said, “I’ve liked you for so long. When you agreed to be with me, I was truly happy. I thought I’d finally gotten my wish, so
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pillow. I’m pretty foolish, aren’t I?”
Alexander didn’t speak, only his breathing became slightly rapid.
Caroline continued softly, “This is our three-week Christmas anniversary, and it’s the first time you’ve prepared a gift for me. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Alexander’s throat felt dry. After a long moment, he said quietly, “I’ll be right back. Wait for me.”
Then the door closed.
Caroline also removed the ribbon at that moment. Soon, she smelled the heavy scent of gasoline in the air.
She smiled, walked to the corner, and dragged out a human-shaped dummy she had prepared in advance.
This was something she had custom-made to match her appearance and height exactly after hearing that phone call. After the fire, everyone would think it was her.
Caroline placed a voice recorder on the table, which already contained the cries for help she had recorded in advance.
“Alexander, you fooled me 98 times. As for the 99th time, it’s
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my turn to fool you.” After saying this softly, she pressed play on the recorder.
Soon, her pre-recorded voice echoed through the villa: “Help! Open the door! Alexander, save me!”
Then Caroline turned toward the back door and left the villa without looking back, taking a taxi straight to the airport.
In the distance, flames leaped up, illuminating the night sky.
