A world only belonging to Eri
Chapter 1
My husband kicked me out of the car during a blizzard, all so his “one true love” could win a piano competition.
I clung to the door, but he dragged me for what felt like miles.
Watching his taillights disappear, I felt nothing but despair.
I thought I was going to die on that mountain, but a stranger rescued me.
And somehow, I got my memory back, the one I lost eight years ago.
The first thing I did when I woke up was change my identity.
1
“Ma’am, are you sure you want to cancel the identity of Chloe Miller? Once it’s done, Chloe Miller will cease to exist.”
I nodded. “I’m sure.”
My name wasn’t Chloe Miller, to begin with.
It’s Emily Carter.
Eight years ago, I lost my memory in a plane crash and ended up in Austin.
The Wilsons took me in, and I became their daughter-in-law.
David Wilson and I were truly in love once.
We were the “perfect couple.”
Until two years ago, when his childhood sweetheart, Sarah, came back to town.
Everything changed.
I looked up at the jumbotron displaying the live piano competition.
As expected, without me in the way, Sarah took first place.
In the interview, David beamed. “Sarah is the best pianist I know. As her manager, I’m so proud.”
“Oh? I thought your wife held that title in your heart,” the host quipped.
David chuckled. “My wife is number one in my life, but Sarah’s talent is unmatched.”
I scoffed.
Then, I made a phone call.
“Phoenix Security, pick me up in Austin in seven days.”
I walked away from the noise and into a tattoo parlor.
“Getting some ink? What are you thinking?”
“I want this name removed from my chest.”
“D.W.? Sentimental, huh?”
I glanced down, then forced a smile. “Not anymore.”
Four hours later, I took the cake I ordered home.
David was already there, scrolling through his phone. He looked up.
“What’s the occasion? Cake?”
My already dead heart sank further.
It was my birthday.
“Just because,” I mumbled.
“Perfect. Sarah won the competition. We’ll take it to the after-party.”
He tossed his phone aside. Whenever he mentioned Sarah, his eyes lit up.
I nodded silently.
Back in the bedroom, I was changing when David called out.
“Chloe, come to Sarah’s party. You’re a five-time champion. Show her some support.”
Then he noticed something. “What’s with the bandage on your chest?”
2
“I got hurt when you dragged me.”
A flicker of guilt crossed David’s face. “Glad it was just a scratch. That’s a symbol of our love. Don’t damage it.”
“Sure,” I replied flatly.
He seemed satisfied. “Get ready. We’re leaving soon.”
In the car, a small teddy bear keychain started playing a message. It was Sarah’s voice, sweet and flirtatious.
“Hey, sweetie. Thinking of you.”
David’s face tightened.
“Just something Sarah recorded. Don’t read into it.”
“Okay.”
I stared out the window for the rest of the ride.
Because there was a lipstick under my feet.
Sarah’s favorite brand and shade.
I didn’t want to say anything. I just wanted to leave.
Halfway there, David started texting Sarah, forgetting that his messages were synced to my phone.
Sarah_baby: Baby, when are you coming? I’m starving.
David: Starving again? Didn’t I just feed you in the car, kitten?
I stared at the messages, trying to imagine them “feeding” each other.
Then it hit me.
The lipstick…
Were they…in the passenger seat?
Nausea welled up. I told David to stop the car, then stumbled out to throw up.
3
“Hurry up! I’m running late,” David snapped.
There was no way I was getting back in that car.
Seeing me hesitate, he slammed the door shut. “Fine. Stay there.”
By the time I arrived, the party was in full swing.
David gestured for me to sit beside him. I walked over, but Sarah’s leg was draped across his lap.
David stiffened, but Sarah grabbed his hand and pulled it under her dress.
He kept glancing at me, but I remained impassive. Finally, he just gave in.
By the end, they were both flushed.
Later, David whispered, “Chloe, can you get me some ibuprofen? My stomach hurts.”
I was happy to leave.
But just as I reached the elevator, I realized I’d forgotten my phone.
As I headed back, I overheard the other guests.
“…balcony? David and Sarah are getting bolder.”
“Well, there’s a pharmacy downstairs. Chloe will be back soon. They have to be quick.”
My hands trembled.
Everyone knew. Except me.
Then I heard David’s muffled voice.
“Keep it down. My wife will hear.”
They laughed, saying I wasn’t there.
I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. I turned and left.
When I returned with the medicine, they were composed, playing a game on their phones.
Someone said, “Chloe was the last to arrive. She hasn’t given Sarah a gift yet. Let’s guess what it’ll be.”
I had no real money of my own. David controlled everything.
He whispered, “Just give her some cash. I’ll pay you back.”
I set down the medicine. “The piano I’ve used for the past five years. If you don’t mind.”
Gasps filled the room.
The piano was a one-of-a-kind piece crafted by the renowned maestro, Anton Weber.
David had spent six months persuading Weber to sell it to him.
It was my second-anniversary gift.
Now, everyone was staring at me.
After the piano was taken away, I went back to my room.
David burst in, his face livid. “What was that about the piano? My gift to you?”
4
I met his gaze. “Sarah’s a better pianist. She deserves a better instrument.”
“How did you know?” he asked softly.
“I saw the livestream on a public screen.”
He’d said those words to the entire world. He couldn’t deny it.
“Still, you can’t just give it away! It’s our anniversary gift!”
I smiled faintly. “So?”
David was speechless. “Chloe, what are you saying? Are you leaving me?”
“If you love someone else, I’ll leave.”
He laughed. “Try it. Everything you have is because of me. Where will you go? Don’t forget, you can’t divorce me without my consent.”
But I wasn’t Chloe Miller. I was Emily Carter.
This marriage meant nothing.
“Don’t even think about leaving. Stay here. I’ll give you anything you want. Remember, you’re my wife.”
I smiled.
We’ll see about that.
For the next four days, I erased myself from the house.
I donated all my good clothes and burned the rest.
I deleted Chloe Miller’s social media accounts.
I transferred all relevant documents.
David wouldn’t notice.
He and Sarah were in the Bahamas, celebrating her victory.
The Bahamas seemed like their second home.
Three days until my departure.
Sarah sent me a picture of a little girl eating.
Baby girl wanted candied apples today, so daddy made her the biggest one! 😉
She’d sent pictures like this before, but I never understood. Why this random child?
This time, I saw the girl’s face.
She was a miniature version of David and Sarah!
Their daughter!
That’s why he didn’t want children with me.
How pathetic.
Two days left.
David put on a fireworks display for Sarah.
Eight million dollars worth of fireworks, just to make me smile. He says I’m worth it. <3
Eight million dollars. They were pretty.
He promised me fireworks once.
It would never happen now.
One day left.
This time, Sarah sent a voice recording.
Their moans filled the air. His deep and sensual, hers soft and breathy.
I smiled faintly, placed the phone and a letter on the desk, then picked up my backpack.
I left the place I’d called home for eight years.
My escort was waiting, a line of black SUVs at the airport.
Just as I was about to board, David called.
“Honey, I’m back. Let’s grab dinner.”
He was back, with Sarah and their daughter.
“Dinner’s in an hour. Can you make it?”
He was tying the little girl’s shoelaces, about to reply when Sarah kissed him.
“Honey, you promised to take us to the amusement park. Then we have to take Lily back to the Bahamas. We won’t have time.”
The little girl chimed in, “Daddy, I wanna go to the amusement park!”
David texted me: Chloe, something came up. Dinner in three days?
I smiled and turned off my phone.
I put on my sunglasses and walked onto the plane, escorted by security.
I passed David in the terminal.
He turned, looking at my back.
“That woman looked like Chloe…”
Sarah scoffed. “Someone with that kind of security? Please. That wasn’t Chloe Miller.”
David chuckled. “Right.”
“Come on, Lily. Let’s go have some fun!”
The plane’s announcement echoed: “Flight 1382, you are cleared for takeoff. Have a pleasant flight.”
