Chapter 3

I didn't argue. I just raised a hand to wipe away a tear from my eye.

She was right. In the eyes of all Liam's friends and colleagues, I couldn't hold a candle to Serena.

Serena was once the most stunning flight attendant on their crew, and she certainly seemed a better match for a captain like Liam.

But Serena was the one who left after snagging a rich businessman in First Class, which is why Liam ended up marrying me.

Thinking about that, a sharp pain flared in my chest again.

Maybe they'd both been sick of me being in the way, willing to die together rather than endure me for another day.

As the plane violently shook, I gripped the armrest tightly, barely managing to steady myself.

The screams grew more piercing, and the flight attendant's announcement finally blared again:

"The plane has descended to a suitable altitude. Passengers who have donned their equipment, please line up and evacuate in order."

I glanced back frantically, watching the main group jump out one by one.

My fingernails dug slowly into my palms.

Amidst the chaos, Liam's voice sounded above my head:

"Eleanor, who told you to come along?"

"I already married you. What more do you want?"

"It's all because of you that there's one less emergency kit on this plane! Tell me, what am I supposed to do now?!"

That last sentence, Liam's voice was hoarse and hesitant.

It reminded me of my past life.

Back then, I'd seen Serena, shielded by Liam, and instantly understood.

I'd cried, demanding an explanation from him.

But he gave me no explanation. He simply shoved the life vest onto me and pushed me out of the plane.

Now, looking at the 'perfect couple' in front of me, all I felt was a bitter laugh.

My husband, whom I'd loved and cared for with all my heart for so many years, now seemed so utterly pathetic.

I decisively pulled out the last emergency kit and gently handed it to Liam:

"If that's what you think, then you wear this life vest."

"Liam, take your mistress and get out of here."

Liam looked utterly baffled:

"Eleanor, what's your game? Why are you suddenly so generous?"

"Do you have some kind of scheme? What are you really trying to do?!"

He shielded Serena firmly behind him, as if protecting a priceless treasure.

It was as if I was handing him not a life vest, but a bomb that would kill his precious 'first love'.

Watching Liam's surprised and angry gaze, I slowly shook my head:

"This plane is about to crash, Liam. I'm giving you the last life vest so you can make up for not saving your mistress."

"So, in your eyes, that's a scheme?"

Liam stared fixedly at me, an emotion I couldn't decipher swirling in his eyes.

In the dead silence, Serena suddenly burst into tears:

"My dearest Liam, I know it was wrong of me to board without a ticket, but now that Eleanor is willing to let us go, we should hurry."

"Eleanor was lucky to marry you, and besides, we're soulmates, neither of us wants to escape alone. This is the best way..."

Listening to Serena's crying, Liam suddenly moved his gaze away from me as if he'd been shocked.

His hands trembling slightly, he quickly helped Serena put on the life vest:

"You're right. Eleanor is lucky. She'll be fine."

With that, Liam bent down and, completely ignoring me, meticulously checked Serena's equipment.

Once he was sure everything was in order, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

Under my silent gaze, the two of them vanished before me.