He Built A Garden For Her Flowers But Only To Help His Secret Love Win A Prize Chapter 03

He Built A Garden For Her Flowers But Only To Help His Secret Love Win A Prize Chapter 03

But that sleep was agonizing. I drifted in and out of consciousness, and when I finally woke up, I had no idea what time it was.

I was completely drained, limp and weak on the bed.

The room smelled of antiseptic. I looked at the back of my hand, and there was a needle in it.

My unfocused vision cleared, and I caught a glimpse of a dark green figure. She was standing in front of the dresser, picking through my jewelry with obvious distaste.

“You’re awake?”

The woman in dark green walked toward me, and her pretty face made my breath catch in my throat.

It was no one else. It was Cloris Smith, the daughter of the research assistant my parents worked with back then.

That night at the hillside villa, that voice, that silhouette—it was her! It was all her!!

Why did it have to be Cloris? Why?

My mind went completely blank with chaos.

Cloris’ mother Carina Smith was one of the suspects behind the institute fire all those years ago. But there was never enough evidence, and eventually she and Cloris just vanished, completely off the grid.

I couldn’t hide the agony wracking me anymore, and I choked out her name, great pain in my voice. “Cloris!”

“Wow, Savannah, you still remember me? After all these years, you still hate my mom that much?” She stuck her tongue out at me playfully. “But I don’t go by Cloris anymore. My name’s Iris Jenkins now—don’t get it wrong again.”

The door opened.

“You’re awake?”

“Charles! Do you have any idea who she is?! Do you have any idea who she actually is!!!” Even wasted with weakness, my whole body shook uncontrollably, and I screamed at the top of my lungs.

He acted like nothing was wrong. “Oh, I forgot to introduce you, Savannah. This is Ms. Jenkins. She’s the daughter of a business partner of mine. Since you’re not feeling well, she’s going to the flower show in four days, and she’ll bring your flowers to enter the competition for you. Don’t get worked up.”

“No… no… she’s…”

“Savannah, you’re delirious. She just happens to look exactly like that other person, that’s all.”

My whole body shook so hard I couldn’t stop it. How could they do this? How could they!!

“I can see Ms. Evans doesn’t really want me here. If she doesn’t want this, it’s fine. Just get some rest, Ms. Evans, don’t get too upset.”

I tried to say more, but for some reason, my voice died in my throat all of a sudden. I could only glare at them, helpless.

I hated this feeling of being completely powerless.

“You’re sick, Savannah. Just stay home and get better, be good. It doesn’t matter who brings the results back anyway—isn’t that what you wanted, a result?”

His hand stroked the top of my head gently, but I couldn’t hold back my tears. They poured down furiously. Why! Why would he do this to me!

I didn’t believe it! I didn’t believe he didn’t know Iris was Cloris!!

A far more terrifying thought hit me like a truck. He had known this whole time!

Or better yet—he was the one who helped them change their names and hide!!

My heart felt like it was tearing apart. I’d hunted these enemies for years, and my own lover had been hiding them right beside me this whole time.

They left the room.

I knew. If he was willing to let Cloris stand right in front of me, that meant I’d outlived my usefulness. I’d already grown the Ash, after all.

I was going to be locked up here forever.

How could he? How could he do this to me!!

I grabbed my phone. It took me almost two hours to type out a few dozen words.

[Change of plans. Follow the new protocol.]

The other side didn’t ask any questions. He just replied with one word. [Okay.]

Tears just streamed down my face.