Chapter 35: Just a Stand-In
Her finger barely touched the window button when regret flooded in.
Cold wind and rain lashed at her face, stinging her eyes.
Why was she hiding?
As a doctor, she’d done everything to save Annabelle’s baby. As a wife, she’d stepped aside with dignity to let their love flourish. Through it all, she’d maintained her self-respect.
“Everything alright?” The cab driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
“Back pain.” She reclined the seat slowly. “Need to lie down.”
“Doctors have it rough,” the driver sighed. “My daughter’s one too. Stands in surgery for twelve hours straight.”
The traffic light turned green. Cars began inching forward.
That couple passed right by her window. Alexander held the umbrella at an angle that sheltered Annabelle’s pregnant belly completely. Not a single raindrop touched her.
“Your hair’s soaked,” Alexander’s voice carried through the half-open window.
Annabelle tilted her face up with a smile. “Why were you standing in the rain? I spotted you from blocks away.”
“We agreed you’d wait at home.”
“Wanted to surprise you.” She shook the thermal container. “Made you soup. Special delivery.”
Alexander took the container, keeping the umbrella steady. “Don’t do this again. It’s typhoon season.”
“Fine—” Annabelle drew out the word, then rose on tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
His expression softened instantly.
Evelyn looked away.
How pathetic.
She’d actually thought that figure in the rain was waiting for her.
“Such a loving couple,” the driver remarked. “Rare to see marriages like that nowadays.”
Evelyn watched the receding cityscape. “Yes.”
The windshield wipers moved rhythmically, wiping away raindrops only for more to fall.
Just like her marriage.
Alexander’s tenderness was never meant for her. She’d merely stolen three years by sharing Annabelle’s name.
Now that the real one had returned, the stand-in’s time was up.
That soup probably smelled delicious. Unlike her attempts—even simple egg drop soup ended up burnt.
The car hit a puddle, spraying water.
In the reflection, the perfect couple shrank into distant specks.
