Chapter 19: John’s Coldness 

A white powder–like substance was scattered on the ground, flanked by candles and several red–cloth–covered objects. Most shocking were two middle–aged women in black Tang–style jackets, hair dishevelled, red dots. on their foreheads, chanting incomprehensibly. Amy was bewildered. What was this?! 

Vivian, eyes darting around, pulled Amy close. “You’re too young to understand. This is for your own good! Whether related by blood or not, humans and spirits shouldn’t mix; it’ll drain your life force!” 

“One for you, one for your father. Keep them under your pillows for three days.” Vivian slipped two amulets into Amy’s hand. 

Amy took them, 

confused. She 

couldn’t 

understand Vivian’s explanation. 

“Hey, that’s superstitious nonsense,” Lily called from the car. 

Lily hadn’t planned to intervene, figuring Amy trusted Vivian more. She wouldn’t risk a confrontation. But seeing the amulets and the ritualistic arrangement, she realized Vivian thought she’d seen a ghost and was performing an exorcism. 

“Oh! Master! You’ve appeared!” 

Vivian glared at Lily, annoyed at the interruption. Lily’s words had startled her; seeing Lily’s face, she pushed Amy aside and hid behind the chanting women, letting out a piercing shriek Unbelievable! 

John, angered, reached for the car door, then paused, slumping back down. Lily had told him to stay put. 

Before getting out, Lily instructed John, “Stay in the car. Don’t show yourself.” If he interfered, Amy would side with Vivian, creating a conflict Lily wanted ΤΟ avoid. “Stay put!” Lily emphasized, only opening the car door after John’s obedient Okay“. 

The driver discreetly glanced in the rearview mirror, quickly averting his gaze under John’s sharp stare. He muttered to himself, *Even rich guys are afraid of their wives! 

“Ghost! Ghost! Save me! Save me!” A terrified Vivian stammered, as Lily approached. 

The women looked around, relieved to see Lily’s shadow. They regained their composure 

“Aunt Vivian! It’s not a ghost.” Amy agreed, pointing out the shadow. Vivian calmed down. 

Realizing that Lily was the “rival” she’d encountered before, Vivian murmured, “Is John insane! 

She believed John had found a look–alike to replace Lily. Learning that this woman’s name was also Lily Lynch solidified her suspicions. Seeing John’s inaction, she realized it was a misunderstanding. John was obsessed with Lily! This meant John had accepted Lily’s death; her chance had arrived! 

She harbored no doubt about Lily’s identity, as returning fifteen years later and looking the same was impossible. Amy would recognize her mother. 

Vivian left, her eyes conveying that Lily would be defeated. 

Back at the mansion, Amy sulked in her room, her mood worsened by Vivian’s superstitious 

antics. 

Lily didn’t console her; what needed to be said had already been said. Amy needed time to reflect 

¡Chapter 1 John’s Coldness 

On the second–floor balcony, Lily and John sat on a lounge chair, gazing at the moon. After the -bustling banquet, the quiet was soothing. 

“Andy was so adorable. His tone sounded like a warning, but it was pure concern, just like when he was a child…” 

“Amy is impulsive but takes advice to heart. She’s naive…” 

Listening to Lily recount the day’s events, John adjusted his collar; his usually perfect hair was slightly dishevelled. His smile was lazy and charming. He held her hand, his gaze fixed on her profile, an intense depth in his eyes. 

“Oh, right! What about Andy and Amy?” Lily suddenly sat up. 

“Hmm?” The intensity in John’s eyes vanished, replaced by clarity. 

“You don’t know they have a conflict?” 

Lily withdrew her hand and stood, arms akimbo. If he dared to say he didn’t know, she’d make him pay! John sighed when she avoided his embrace. He began to explain what he knew. “Andy, Amy, and Ben were close 

children. Then, during middle school…” John recalled a summer when the siblings had a huge argument, ruining their planned trip. “They dismissed the staff, so no one knows why they fought.” The butler inquired, but the children refused to reveal the cause. 

John had called, but they all claimed nothing had happened. Afterward, their relationship deteriorated; they constantly bickered. 

“So 

you 

didn’t 

further investigate 

because they said 

nothing happened 

john remained silent. 

Lily stepped back, perplexed. When she was present, John was a responsible father, equally involved in their care. But in her absence, he seemed distant. 

“Why?” She asked.