After all these twists and turns, Monica gave the beads to Eden as a gift to keep him safe. What an irony of fate.
My thoughts returned and I looked at Monica unwillingly. I knew it was impossible. But I still hoped she would see me, hear my heartfelt words.
But then, when I heard their conversation, my long-dead soul felt a chill once again.
Eden leaned into Monica’s arms and sighed in mock grievance.
“Monica, are you still heartbroken about Theodore’s betrayal? Actually, this whole thing started because of me. If I hadn’t driven the company to the brink of bankruptcy, Theodore wouldn’t have been so eager to run away with the money. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you, I shouldn’t have ruined your marriage…”
Monica kissed Eden’s forehead with a pained look. “It’s none of your business. Theodore is willing to degrade himself. I should thank you for letting me see his true colors!”
Eden sighed, resting his head on Monica’s shoulder. As their lingering conversation progressed, I gradually learned.
It turned out Monica had been cheating on Eden long before my death. She fell in love with him at first sight at the campus recruitment fair and made an exception to hire him to stay with her.
Monica even admitted it herself. Eden was the love of her life. To me, it was just a responsibility.
“Theodore’s family situation is special. I can’t divorce him, but I will never let you down. Everything I have in the future, I will give you double!”
Monica’s favoritism caused Eden to lose his composure and foster undue ambition.
While I was at home taking care of the children, he acted arrogantly, acting like a boss and offended the company’s major clients.
Monica got into a fight with the other party to protect Eden. This led to a client falling out and the company on the verge of bankruptcy.
After this incident, Eden realized his unshakable position in Monica’s heart. He also began to consider getting rid of me and becoming Mr. Johnson.
After listening to their conversation, I was stunned, as if struck by a bolt from the blue. Tears streamed down my face.
After the company stabilized, Monica used her love to coerce me into stepping down from management and staying home to take care of the children.
Our happy times didn’t last long. She began to frequently leave early and return late.
She had a strange smell of cigarettes and several ambiguous red marks appeared on her neck.
When I questioned her, she would always say, “Theodore, you’re overthinking it. I work and socialize for you and the children.”
If I asked a few more questions, Monica would lose her temper. She said I was plagued by low self-esteem and was constantly suspicious. I felt like I was bored at home and didn’t appreciate her hard work.
But it turned out… all suspicions had a basis. All betrayals were hidden in these tiny details.
I finally understood why Monica didn’t investigate and simply assumed I’d run away with the money.
That was because unfaithful people saw no loyalty in anyone! The heartache brought me to the brink of collapse. Just then, an unexpected phone call shattered the peace.
It was Anna, her voice frantic. “The autopsy results are in. The deceased was 25 years old, 180cm tall and had been dead for more than four years. We’ve already done a DNA comparison with missing persons. Monica, this case is extremely serious. Our initial inference is that it’s either a vendetta or a perverted attempt at social retaliation.”
