Chapter 42

Grandma lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She clutched her book, seeking comfort in its presence, reminding me of her warm, reassuring embraces from my childhood. At that moment, I longed to be human again, to pursue my unfulfilled dreams.

By midnight, Grandma, having not seen me return, finally drifted off to sleep. I left her side and returned to Chase. He wasn't home; instead, he was at a nightclub, amidst flashing lights and clinking glasses, surrounded by women vying for his attention. He idly played with his bracelet, a small distraction from the turmoil within.

Liam, one of his friends, offered him a whiskey. "Chase, this has to be a misunderstanding. We know Amanda, remember college? That guy was crazy about her, but she still chose you. It's probably just someone who looks like her in the video—a side profile."

Chase remained silent, continuing to drink. A woman approached him. "Mr. Reyes, even if Amanda isn't here, you still have us. Let me help you forget..."

Chase slammed his glass down. "Get out!" The women left, leaving only silence. Liam tried to speak to him, but Chase dismissed him as well. "You too, out!"

When I reached the room, it was empty except for Chase. He was heavily intoxicated. Clutching his stomach, seemingly in pain, he cried out, "Amanda, why would you betray me? Why!"

Receiving no answer, he used his phone to leave several voice messages: "Amanda, how dare you betray me. I won't let this slide." "Amanda, just wait. I'm coming to Cloudville tomorrow! You won't get away!"

His assistant arrived, startled by the sight of Chase slumped on the sofa, his eyes bloodshot, his face etched with despair and anger.

"Mr. Reyes, you're drunk. Let me take you home."

"Home? Amanda's not there. What's the point?"

"Mrs. Reyes is in Cloudville. I booked your flight for tomorrow. You'll see her tomorrow. You should rest tonight!"

Chase stood, swaying slightly. "Yeah, Amanda doesn't like it when I stay out. I should go home."

He staggered home, but Nicole, not I, answered the door. The assistant was shocked. "Miss, what are you doing here?"

"I was worried about Chase, so I came to check on him. How could you let him drink so much?"

Together, they helped Chase to the living room, where he collapsed onto the couch and fell asleep.

"Alright, I've got this. It's late. You should go."

The assistant hesitated, uneasy about leaving them alone. "Mr. Reyes has had too much, Miss. You being here alone..."

"Didn't I say leave? Don't you understand?" Nicole's sharp tone startled him into leaving.

Before he left, he saw Nicole gently wiping Chase's face, her expression revealing more than sibling concern. As he closed the door, he glimpsed Nicole kissing Chase and quickly departed, avoiding a second look.

In his drunken state, Chase mistook Nicole for me, exclaiming joyfully, "Amanda, you're back." Their embrace quickly escalated.

I watched silently from the floor-to-ceiling window, detached and cold. Across the street, hidden amongst the branches of a large tree, a camera lens captured every moment of their intimate encounter.

Chapter 43