Chapter 72  The morning after the storm cleared, Chase rushed out after a phone call. His car pulled up to our home. What was he doing Could he have found something out about me?  A few workers stood in the front yard, and when they saw Chase, the lead guy spoke up. “Mr. Reyes, the sculpture you ordered has been set up. Do you want to take a peek?”  A sculpture?  I quickly turned my attention to the object wrapped in waterproof cloth. It had mysteriously arrived here last night, and I had a hunch something of mine was here. But I never imagined my flesh would be hidden inside a sculpture  What had Chase commissioned?  The ropes on the waterproof cloth were untied, and Chase grabbed a comer of the sculpture and yanked it off. With a whoosh, the cloth bell away.  Water droplets sprayed everywhere, revealing the statue beneath. At first glance, I recognized it–it was Undine, the nymph of water The craftsmanship was stunning. Undine was clad in a sheer gown, and her hands were reaching upward. The fabric clung to her form, capturing the texture of the soaked material and the barely concealed figure beneath with incredible detail.  Looking up, I noticed Undine’s face bore an uncanny resemblance to mine!  According to legend, Undine lacked a soul and could only gain one by marrying a mortal. If her husband was unfaithful, she’d kill him. This statue showed Undine in a white gown, rising from the water, her hands poised to take her unfaithful husband’s life. In that moment, she was both breathtakingly beautiful and filled with intense hatred.  Unlike other statues, this one had skin with a soft flesh tone, making it look even more lifelike  “Mr. Reyes, are you satisfied with it?” the worker asked.  Chase gazed at the goddess‘ face, murmuring, “Her face…”  “Our master sculptor heard that you commissioned this for your wife, knowing your deep affection for Mrs. Reyes. Since it’s for your marital home, he boldly used Mrs. Reyes‘ face. Is that okay, Mr. Reyes?”  If the sincerity in the worker’s eyes hadn’t been so clear, I’d have thought he was being sarcastic  Chase being deeply in love with me? Now that’s a real knee–slapper.  Chase looked quite pleased with the piece. “No problem. I’ll settle the final payment soon.”  “Well, we’ll leave you be then, Mr. Reyes.”  The workers left the villa, leaving Chase alone. He stared intently at that face, regret filling his eyes. “Amanda, you used to joke that il- ever let you down, you’d turn into Undine and get your revenge…”  I did say  that once, but it was all in fun. As I grew up with him, I never thought my childhood sweetheart would betray me one day tronically, the soulless Undine and I, a soul without a body, ended up entwined like this. My remains had become her body–how ironic. This statue, like me, never got the chance to seek revenge.  While I was away, the yard grew wild with weeds. Chase called in a landscaper to tidy it up and had the house spick–and–span.  fell on the sheets he and Nicole had tangled in on our wedding night, a frown creasing  When he walked into our bedroom, his gaze  brow  He coldly instructed the servant, “Change all the bedding”  his  wait for Mrs. Reyes to retum and  The servant treaded carefully. “They’re still brand new and have never been slept in. Maybe we should wait then wash them?”  She had no idea this place had already been tainted  “Chase, would you find it filthy too? I wondered