Matt walked in.

His deep gaze fell on me, with visible indifference.

He looked around again and said indifferently, "Vanessa, your return cannot change the fact that this place needs to be renovated. Only by renovating here can the town have the possibility of further development."

I was stunned and nodded.

"I don't mean to stop you. I just...

"Then go back. Don't stay here anymore."

He didn't want to say anything more to me.

After saying that, he wanted to leave.

But I still wanted to ask if he could wait a little longer.

I instinctively reached out my hand, wanting to stop him, but I heard a cheerful and crisp voice coming from the door.

"Matt, there are beautiful black roses here. Can I pick them?"

With the sound, a beautiful woman broke into sight.

Rose, wearing a delicate dress, had bright eyes and white teeth. When she smiled, there were shallow dimples on both sides of her cheeks.

Just at a glance, I could tell.

She was Matt's ex-girlfriend that he couldn't let go of, and also his secretary at this point.

Rose saw me, and the smile on her face instantly faded, with a hint of disdain in her bright eyes.

She smiled, but not sincerely, "Vanessa, I didn't expect to see you here. What a coincidence."

Matt and I had been married for three years.

This time, it was our first meeting.

In the past, I always heard her name from others.

Even her photos were accidentally seen on Matt's phone.

But I had to admit she was really beautiful.

She also had the cheerfulness and confidence that I didn't have.

I smiled faintly.

I didn't say anything.

Matt glanced at me and walked towards her. Every move was a tenderness that I had never seen before. "Rose, pick some if you like. I will tell the owner of the flowers later. Be careful not to get pricked."

His voice was gentle to her.

completely different from that to me.

This was the attitude one should have towards someone they liked.

But I couldn't ask for it.

I looked at Rose enviously, but didn't notice the occasional glances from Matt.

Rose smiled happily at his words, "I know. I'm not a child anymore.'

Her gaze swept over me, raising her eyebrows slightly, with a hint of provocation.

She pretended to be generous and said, "You should talk to Vanessa. I'll wait for you outside."

Matt nodded slightly.

After she left, the tenderness on his face disappeared as well.

Instead,

he had that cold and frosty attitude again.

"I will stay here for a while, and you better go back tomorrow."

That was not my home.

The Charles family, except for Matt's recently deceased grandfather, no one liked me.

This was my only way out.

And the only place I could stay.

I looked at him and said with a stiff face, "Can you let me stay for a while longer? I will leave soon."

"Vanessa!" His tone became heavier, as if he was very dissatisfied with my excuse. "There are people at home taking care of you every step of the way. What are you unhappy about? Why do you have to suffer here?"

As he said this, my breath slightly paused.

This place never made me feel miserable.

For me, this place was an escape route, a haven.

"I...I'm not..."

Before I could finish my sentence, a strong sweet and fishy taste surged up from my throat.

I couldn't help but cough heavily.

My chest vibrated with the coughing action.

The pain made even my ribs aching.

I covered my mouth with a scarf,

afraid that he would see the blood coughed up.

I coughed severely.

My already pale face lost its color, and my legs started to weaken.

Matt frowned and took a step back.

He moved his hand slightly.

I couldn't help but tremble.

He quickly withdrew it again.

Matt's gaze was like a sharp knife, piercing my eyes fiercely.

But I didn't notice the struggle on his face.

I escaped and returned home.

I hurriedly ran to the bathroom,

and then carefully took off the scarf stained with blood.

When I finished cleaning up, I went out again.

There was no one outside the door.

It was as if no one had been there just now.

Everything felt like a dream.