Chapter 152 She Learns to Imitate Edith
A familiar scent hit him as he walked in.
Everything here was almost exactly the same as the last time he'd left—luxurious and refined, yet cold as a lifeless memorial hall.
But Caroline let out a cheerful exclamation beside him, and before she could even put on slippers, she rushed in barefoot.
"Finally home!"
She spread her arms and spun around in the spacious living room, then threw herself onto the sofa, sinking into it without a care, burying her face deep into the cushions and rubbing against them contentedly.
"Everything here is decorated just the way I like it, and it's the place I know best. It feels so good..."
Alexander stood at the doorway, unable to take that step inside.
Was this really how she liked it? Was this truly the place she knew best?
No.
Nothing here was something Caroline would actually like.
Caroline's taste leaned toward simple and comfortable, while Edith had typical girly preferences, everything preserved from her younger days.
All these years, he'd stubbornly maintained every detail of this place.
Even when he accidentally broke a vase or lamp in anger, he'd immediately have someone find an identical replacement, refusing to allow any changes.
As if keeping this place unchanged meant his future with Edith hadn't completely shattered.
And now, Caroline, carrying Edith's soul in her own body, naturally blended into everything here, as if this place was her true home.
Every touch carried a familiar and natural intimacy.
But Edith had never set foot here.
This was the surprise Alexander had prepared for her back then, an elaborate marriage proposal gift that never got unveiled before Edith left this world.
A thought suddenly flashed through Alexander's mind.
Had Caroline, trapped in this invisible prison when he wasn't looking, also forced herself over and over to like these things that belonged to Edith?
Had she also sat on this sofa, running her fingers over those elaborate patterns, repeatedly guessing in her mind—if it were Edith, what would she do? What would she like? How would she live in this space?
She used that guilt like a blade, slicing away at her true self again and again, carving up her most authentic self until it was bloody and raw, then forcing that wounded body to imitate what Edith should have been like.
Just because that's what he demanded.
Just because, perhaps, this was what she subconsciously believed was the way to fulfill Edith's dying wish.
This image made a knot tighten in Alexander's stomach.
He quickly lowered his eyes, biting down hard on his back teeth to suppress the metallic taste rising in his throat.
He couldn't lose control in front of her.
He said, "Good that you like it."
Then he turned and instructed the servant standing nearby, "Go prepare lunch, keep it light."
"Yes, sir." The servant left.
Only then did Alexander walk toward the sofa, leaning down to gently lift Caroline, who was still nestled in the cushions.
She was lighter than before, her frame so delicate it was alarming.
"You got up early this morning and the car ride was tiring. Go upstairs and rest for a bit."
Caroline nodded obediently in his arms, "Okay, I am feeling a bit sleepy anyway."
With that, she nimbly slipped out of his embrace.
Before he could react, she was running barefoot toward the depths of the hallway.
His heart leapt to his throat.
He held his breath and immediately followed.
The second-floor hallway was long, with many rooms.
Her footsteps passed the bedroom where she'd lived for five years.
But under Alexander's tense gaze, she didn't pause at all, as if it were just an ordinary guest room.
Then she ran straight to the end of the hallway—that door that was always closed, the room she was never allowed to enter except as punishment, and also the master bedroom he'd carefully prepared for Edith back then.
Caroline pushed open the door without hesitation and ran inside.
Alexander's footsteps paused at the doorway for a moment, a complex emotion surging through him.
He didn't know whether to feel relieved that she hadn't remembered that room full of pain, or to feel heartbroken by her current sense of belonging.
He had once driven Caroline into this room prepared for Edith.
Now she returned as Edith, and though this should have been the scene of his dreams, it only left him feeling endlessly hollow.
He followed her in.
By the time he entered, Caroline had already found the pajamas he'd prepared for Edith in the walk-in closet, changed into them skillfully, climbed onto the bed, and lay down obediently.
Then she reached out both hands toward Alexander standing by the bed.
"Alex, stay with me."
This was the first time Caroline had actively asked him to sleep with her.
She was dependent on him, but not in that sacrificial, all-accepting way from when her memory was confused, nor the forced endurance from before during the torment.
Instead, it was like Edith—taking it for granted.
Alexander stood there, looking at the woman on the bed with her arms open to him, suddenly at a loss.
Only at this moment did he realize that over the past five years, while he'd been madly tormenting Caroline, hadn't he also been tormenting himself?
Between them lay a sea of blood and deep hatred, yet in the darkness, they'd been pathologically dependent on each other, taking from one another.
He thought he'd sacrificed his life and soul to the deceased Edith, but only when Caroline returned as Edith did he discover with horror that the source of his life had unknowingly rooted itself in the flesh and blood of the woman named Caroline.
Only by drawing energy from her—whether pain, hatred, or that little bit of illusory warmth—could he feel that he was still alive.
Caroline was completely unaware of the turmoil in his heart. Seeing him motionless, she urged playfully, "Alex? Hurry up, I'm sleepy..."
Alexander snapped back to reality.
He closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing all emotions, and walked to the bed with heavy steps, took off his jacket, and lay down.
As soon as he lay down, Caroline rolled into his arms, found a comfortable position, pressed her face against his chest, and sighed contentedly.
Alexander stiffly extended his arm and wrapped it around her slender waist.
He actually didn't know how to hold her; he'd never truly embraced even Edith.
He could only follow the hazy outline in his mind, adapting to his role as 'Edith's' husband.
Caroline in his arms soon became drowsy.
She unconsciously nuzzled against his chest, mumbling incoherently.
"Alex... I really love you so much..."
"Thinking about being with you forever... makes me so happy..."