Chapter 72

The morning after the storm, Chase arrived at our home after a phone call. What could he possibly be doing? Had he discovered something about me?

Several workers were in the front yard. When they saw Chase, their foreman said, "Mr. Reyes, the sculpture you ordered has been installed. Would you like to take a look?"

A sculpture?

My attention immediately went to the object wrapped in waterproof cloth. It had arrived mysteriously last night, and I suspected something of mine was involved. But I never imagined my own remains would be hidden inside a sculpture. What had Chase commissioned?

The ropes securing the cloth were untied. Chase grabbed a corner and yanked it off. With a whoosh, the cloth fell away, spraying water droplets everywhere, revealing the statue beneath. I recognized it instantly—Undine, the water nymph. The craftsmanship was breathtaking. Undine was depicted in a sheer gown, her hands 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 closer, I noticed Undine's face bore an uncanny resemblance to my own!

According to legend, Undine lacked a soul, only gaining one through marriage to a mortal. If her husband were unfaithful, she would kill him. This statue showed Undine rising from the water in a white gown, her hands poised to take her unfaithful husband's life. In that moment, she was both breathtakingly beautiful and fiercely hateful.

Unlike other statues, this one possessed skin with a soft, flesh-like tone, making it even more lifelike.

"Mr. Reyes, are you satisfied?" the worker asked.

Chase gazed at the goddess's face, murmuring, "Her face…"

"Our master sculptor heard you commissioned this for your wife, knowing your deep affection for Mrs. Reyes," the worker explained. "Since it's for your marital home, he boldly used Mrs. Reyes' face. Is that acceptable, Mr. Reyes?"

If the worker's sincerity hadn't been so evident, I would have thought he was being sarcastic.

Chase deeply in love with me? That's a joke.

Chase seemed pleased. "No problem. I'll settle the final payment soon."

"Very well, we'll leave you then, Mr. Reyes."

The workers departed, leaving Chase alone. He stared intently at the face, regret filling his eyes. "Amanda," he whispered, "you used to joke that if I ever let you down, you'd turn into Undine and get your revenge…"

I had said that once, but it was a playful remark. Growing up with him, I never imagined my childhood sweetheart would betray me. Ironically, the soulless Undine and I, a soul without a body, were now intertwined. My remains had become her form—how ironic. This statue, like me, never got the chance to seek revenge.

While I was away, the yard had become overgrown. Chase hired a landscaper to tidy it up and had the house thoroughly cleaned.

When he entered our bedroom, his gaze fell on the sheets he and Nicole had shared on our wedding night, a frown creasing his brow. He coldly instructed the servant, "Change all the bedding."

The servant hesitated. "They're still brand new and unused. Perhaps we should wait to wash them?"

She had no idea this place had already been tainted. "Chase, would you find it filthy too?" I wondered.