I felt as though I was lost in a dense fog until a faint glimmer of light ahead helped me see my surroundings clearly.
Then, I saw Jacob had just walked through the door, but he didn't notice me. He just passed straight through my body. How could this be?
Startled, I looked up. The wall clock showed it was nine in the morning. So, it was already the next day.
I remembered now. Last night, that vagrant dragged my son and me into the alley, reaching for the necklace around my neck.
But this necklace was the very one Jacob gave me when he proposed. For three years of marriage, I had worn it every single day. I clung to it desperately, refusing to let go. After that, the vagrant stabbed me dozens of times before the final blow killed me.
My little boy instantly slipped from my arms and fell lifeless to the ground. Meanwhile, I lay in a pool of deep, glaring crimson, watching helplessly as the homeless man took the necklace, unable to utter a single word.
It turned out I was already dead and so was my son. Did Jacob know we were both dead?
I found myself automatically following Jacob. The moment he entered the door, he rushed toward the bedroom, calling out. "Josephine."
However, the empty room gave no response.
Jacob's expression gradually turned anxious, tinged with a barely perceptible panic. He dashed through several rooms, but couldn't find me or our son. It made his confusion and uneasiness grow more pronounced.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Natalia. [Jacob, you spent last night taking me home. I hope Josephine wasn't upset with you because of that.]
Seeing Natalia's message, Jacob instantly forgot about me and our son. He sat down on the sofa and started chatting with her.
[No problem. She loves me to death and would never dare to upset me.]
[Josephine is so good to you. Jacob, do you really like her?]
Jacob visibly froze before quickly replying.
[She's been with me all these years. It's like keeping a pet—after so long, you develop feelings.]
[What about me?]
[You're different. You're the one I truly care about.]
I still floated in the air as I read every message Jacob sent. My heartless chest now felt no pain; only numbness remained. I should have known long ago that I couldn't compare to Natalia.
When she wasn't around, I was just Jacob's faithful pet, there to entertain him and keep him company. All he needed to do was give me a little attention and affection and I would convince myself that I was special to him.
During our first year of marriage, Jacob left early and returned late every single day. When I asked why, he always said the company was too busy and he had meetings.
Once, worried he might forget to eat amidst his work, I specially prepared his favorite dish and went to the company to find him. Just as I reached his office door, I heard a woman's soft moans and a man's passionate voice calling out, "Natalia."
I froze in place, my heart pounding with dread. When did Natalia return?
Their voices only grew louder. I bit my lip, shut my eyes and pushed the door open.
Jacob was shoving a disheveled woman down onto the desk. When he saw me standing in the doorway, he hurriedly straightened up, his face flushed with unease. "Josephine, I ..."
I looked at the woman. Her side profile was nearly identical to Natalia's.
Jacob tried to explain that he'd merely been momentarily blinded by her face, insisting I was the only one in his heart. Still, all I could think about was the scene of him with her just moments ago. In my panic, I rushed out of the office, only to be hit by a car.
As my eyes closed, I heard Jacob's heart-wrenching cries behind me. "Josephine."
