Chapter 21

The furnishings, the furniture, every single detail in this room, was an exact replica of the basement apartment we lived in for five years.

If not for the sound of the robotic vacuum.

I would have suspected I was back in that old basement.

Even the bathroom was decorated to look exactly like that narrow toilet from our old basement.

I looked at the mirror.

In front of the mirror.

My comb and skincare products were laid out.

Some had even expired.

He hadn't had the heart to throw them away.

In the old basement bathroom, washing my hair often meant the hot water would run out halfway through, leaving me shivering and chattering my teeth.

He'd boil water in a kettle for me while helping me rinse.

By the time it was his turn to wash, there wasn't enough hot water.

To save a bit on the electricity bill, he'd just quickly rinse with half-cold water.

After drying his hair, he'd quickly snuggle under the covers.

I'd try to warm his hands.

He'd cross his arms, not letting me. "It's cold. I'll hug you later, just wait."

And now, in the closet, all my things were there.

My clothes hung side by side with his.

As if we were an old married couple who had lived together for decades.

Even the bedsheets.

They were still my favorite small floral daisy four-piece set.