Chapter 168

Nicole's voice turned icy. "Have you really forgotten everything Amanda did to you? She betrayed you. Even if she's gone, she got what she deserved!"

Chase's face paled. He glared at Nicole. "What are you talking about? I just checked with Robert today, and we haven't made any headway. We haven't found Amanda's body, which means there's still hope."

"Chase, are you out of your mind? Even if Amanda's still alive, she despises you. She even slept with someone else just to spite you, and you're okay with that?"

Chase's fists clenched. "I'm not crazy. She betrayed me, but didn't I betray her too? Seeing Rosie brought back memories of Amanda's lively spirit."

"I used to gripe about her being boring, but wasn't it my fault? Didn't I push her to set aside her true self, to stand by me as we climbed the ladder, making her dull in the process?"

"She was ready to be Mrs. Reyes, managing everything for me behind the scenes, and in public, she handled things like a pro. She was my rock, and I…"

Chase covered his face with his hands. "I reveled in the comfort she provided, arrogantly thinking she wasn't exciting enough, but I forgot I was the one who changed her. And yet, I went behind her back."

Tears seeped through his fingers. His voice choked with emotion. "I don't blame her anymore. Even if Amanda betrayed me, as long as she comes back, I won't hold a grudge. I just want her by my side, like before."

"Smack!"

Nicole slapped him hard across the face. It was the first time I saw Nicole lose her composure, her eyes welling with tears. "Chase, what about me? What do I mean to you?"

She finally dropped her pretense, revealing her true feelings. I couldn't stick around to watch this drama unfold; I felt myself slipping out of consciousness, hearing a voice—unfamiliar yet familiar.

It was the voice I'd heard before I jumped, Rosie's voice. "Do you still like my body?"

It felt like a mind-to-mind conversation. I saw her, in a black dress adorned with black velvet roses, looking even more striking. But her face was ghostly pale, her eyes coldly fixed on me. She was my polar opposite.

I stumbled over my words. "I'm sorry. I wanted to live, you wanted to die, and somehow we ended up sharing your body by mistake."

She scrutinized my face. "Why do we look so much alike? Who are you?"

"I'm Amanda," I replied quickly. "If you're up for it, can I share a story with you?"

After I recounted my past, she fell silent before saying, "I've wanted to end it for a long time. The only thing I'm worried about is my mom. If you can take care of her for me, I'm okay with it, but…"

"But what?"

"Just now, a force brought me here. My body is trying to pull me back."

I felt it too, especially after seeing the statue of myself. I couldn't control my emotions. Was it because of my body?

Chapter 68

I was shocked—my revenge hadn't even begun! No, this can't be happening.

I jolted awake. Nicole and Chase, still arguing, turned to look at me. Ignoring them, I dashed outside.

As I sprinted, I saw a man standing in the snow, reaching out as if to touch the statue. Just as his fingers were about to make contact, he saw me running towards him, a look of panic flashing across his face.

Tears streamed down my face as I threw myself into his arms. "Derek, I saw…"

He furrowed his brow, puzzled. "Saw what?"

I pointed at the statue. "I just saw a woman, she looks just like me, and she said she's trapped inside…" The moment I finished speaking, Derek's expression turned serious.