Chapter 2

The next morning, Selene woke up early. The thought of getting a brand new chance at life in ten days put her in a great mood. After her morning jog, she ran into Charlie, who was heading out with his keys in his hand. Charlie was taken aback for a moment at how energetic Selene seemed. "Selly, did you go on a run?" With a grin, Selene replied, "Yeah. The air's fresh in the morning." "Oh, that's true." "How about you? Are you going to work?" Selene checked her watch. "It's only half past seven in the morning. There's still plenty of time before the beginning of the workday." Charlie's expression seemed a little unnatural. He forced a chuckle before saying, "Bell wanted hashbrowns and a hot chocolate from a restaurant down the road. I'm going to buy them for her." Selene hummed in acknowledgement. Charlie explained, "Bell had a hard time while she was pregnant and nearly bled out while giving birth. I'm just grateful for how she risked her life to give me a child. Whether out of my conscience or out of obligation, I should take care of her until she makes a full recovery." "Go on, then. Who's stopping you?" Continuing his attempt to absolve himself, he said, "Selly, just as I said, she's just a placeholder for you. My logic was that if you never woke up, at least our child would look like you as long as I found someone who looked similar…" "That's enough," Selene cut Charlie off. "You should head out soon. That shop's super popular. Everything will be gone if you go late." Selene immediately turned and went in. When she passed the dining room, she saw Bella walking downstairs, baby in her arms. As though Bella was showing off, she raised Malcolm's small arm and used it to wave at Selene. "Malcolm, this is our helper." Selene couldn't help but frown slightly. While she would help around the house, the way Bella had framed it sounded as though Selene was subservient to them. Bella simpered with a smile, "Selene, you're a little older than me, so it wouldn't make sense for Malcolm to think of you as a friend. Thus, I figured this would be the best way to explain things to her. You wouldn't get angry over this, would you?" Smirking, Selene quipped, "She could think of me as whatever, even her grandma." Charlie was back within a few minutes. He jogged into the house, hashbrowns and hot chocolates in hand. "Bell, eat this while it's hot. It won't taste as nice after it cools." When Charlie looked up, he met Selene's eyes as she scanned him from head to toe. He froze for a moment before mumbling, "Bell's been breastfeeding recently. She'll have stomach problems if she drinks icy beverages." Selene didn't say a word. She glanced at the two cups on the table. Then, she asked, "You only bought two servings?" Bella said gleefully, "You've been gone too long, Selene. You might not know this, but Chuck's recent tastes have changed. He likes fast food now, right?" Charlie's expression turned grim. "I…" "What would you like, Selene? Ask Chuck to get it delivered for you." Charlie immediately picked up on the cue and added, "Right, what would you like, Selly? I'll place the order." Selene snorted. "You went out to get food for her and yourself. Yet, when it comes to me, you're only willing to order a delivery?" What Selene wanted to ask Charlie was who he truly thought of as a placeholder for the other. Bella explained, "You don't understand, Selene. That shop went viral online, so there's always a line outside. It doesn't even offer takeout and requires you to order in person." Selene understood her situation. If it was that viral and Charlie had lined up for it, how had he returned in such a short span of time with the hashbrowns still steaming hot? Other than the possibility that he'd paid extra to cut the queue, Selene could think of no other option. Charlie hurriedly offered, "What would you like, Selene? I can go out and get it for you." "It's fine, I'm not hungry." "You mustn't skip breakfast. Be a good girl and tell me what you'd like. Whatever it is, I'll head out to buy it." "What if I like tarts from Omlo City?" "I'll send someone on a plane to Omlo City right now…" Bella grumbled, "Chuck adores you, Selene. I'm jealous." With a neutral expression, Selene replied, "There's no need for that. He might love me, but that didn't stop him from having a kid with you." Eyes darkening, Bella complained, "That's because he treated me as a placeholder for you. Oh, if only I could find a man like Chuck for myself." "You will," said Selene. "No way. Chuck's an amazing man. He's one in a million. I'd never get that lucky." "You are." As they were speaking, Selene's phone rang. She picked up and greeted the person on the line. "Hello, Miss Thurman. We're calling from the secondhand shop. Did you say you had stuff you'd like to sell?" "Right. Are you guys here already? Give me a moment." Selene got up and went upstairs. Not long later, she came down with two cardboard boxes. When Charlie saw her, he went over. "Let me help you, Selly." Selene avoided his outstretched arms, stepped past him, and continued walking. "It's fine." "Those look heavy. Let me help you. I'll feel bad if this tires you out." Selene laughed, "My captors hung me from a tree for three consecutive days. You didn't feel too bad about that, didn't you? Charlie immediately paled.