After meeting the heroine of the novel, Layla frequents the greenhouse in the hopes of seeing her again. She was driven by her curiosity to learn more about the heroine.
And the very first thing she learned was that the heroine was kind, just like how the novel portrayed her. And she was fun to hang out with. Despite that, Layla still didn't forget the fact that the heroine was her husband's mistress.
One of the reasons Layla hung out with the heroine was to find out if the heroine really did have a relationship with the hero. Maybe the novel changed because of the existence of Ophelia and Layla was only drawing conclusions without evidence.
That small hope was making Layla motivated to find the truth in order to save her respect and love for the novel.
"Look, this flower is withering." Claudia pointed at a flower that was dying among the others in the garden.
Layla looked at where the heroine pointed her finger and saw a dying flower.
"The gardener must have missed out on getting rid of that." Layla said it without thinking.
"Oh no. Poor little thing. We should do something to save it," the heroine replied.
Layla rolled her eyes in secret, wondering why the heroine always had to save every living thing she came across. But she knew deep down that the heroine's kindness was what made her so special.
"What should we do then?" Layla said, trying to go along with the heroine.
The heroine didn't reply and focused her attention on the dying flower.
Layla watched as the heroine reached out her hand to the dying flower and saw golden sparks emanating from her fingertips. It surrounded the dying flower in a warm glow until it became fully healthy again.
Layla can only watch in awe.
She knew what that was. It was the famous divine healing ability of the heroine.
"Wow! It's healthy again!" exclaimed Layla, amazed by the heroine's power.
The heroine smiled at her and lost her balance.
"Are you okay?" Layla asked, then supported the heroine as she stood on her feet.
Layla remembered that the heroine just got out of her cold because she overused her power.
"Did you know Ophelia? I really pity the flowers. They were treasured when they were pretty and healthy but then discarded when they wilted and died," Claudia said sympathetically.
Layla nodded in agreement, knowing all too well the feeling of being used and tossed aside once her usefulness had expired. She experienced it while living her previous life.
"If I were a flower, I would be happy just to bloom, even if no one noticed me. Even if I die, I will still be happy since I will fertilize the soil and my seeds can be used to grow more of my kind." Layla finished with a small smile.
"You've got a unique perspective on things, Ophelia," remarked the heroine.
"Thank you," Layla replied. "It's just how I choose to see things."
Claudia frowned as her legs trembled.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Layla asked, concern etched on her face.
"I think I'm just a little dizzy," Claudia said, grabbing onto Layla's arm for support.
'Shit, Shit, Shit'
Layla thought as she knew she had messed up. The heroine is still not recovered, but she used her power. The hero will surely be mad at this.
Am I responsible for this?
She wondered, feeling guilty.
Layla supported the heroine as they walked to the nearest chair they could find inside the green house and made the heroine sit down.
"I'm going to call for help," Layla said, leaving the greenhouse quickly.
Layla asks the servants she first saw to follow her to the garden to help the heroine. When they arrive, they catch sight of the heroine with another person.
Layla paused a decent distance away from them.
Just the back is enough for her to recognize the person beside the heroine.
It was the hero.
He was holding the heroine in his arms. Layla felt a pang in her chest as she watched them embrace.
Layla touched her chest, trying to calm the ache. The feeling was unfamiliar to her, but somehow, she knew what it was.
This must be what jealousy feels like, she thought.
Layla knew this was not her own emotions, but Ophelia's.
Memories of Ophelia and the hero embracing together flash through her mind, making her heart ache even more.
The servants went closer to them as Layla stayed glued to her spot. She couldn't bear to witness the scene unfolding before her.
She got a glimpse of concern in the hero's eyes and wondered if he felt the same way towards her—to Ophelia.
She couldn't bear to watch the scene, so she turned her back and left the greenhouse. She locked herself inside her bedroom for the rest of the day, unable to shake the feeling that wasn't hers to begin with. She was confused and caught up with the feeling, almost thinking it was her own.
But deep down, she knew it wasn't.
The next day, Layla stayed inside her room and didn't go to the greenhouse as she used to. She was exhausted and wanted to be away from the main characters.
She needed time to process the overwhelming emotions she was experiencing.
....
Claudia must be resting right now.
Layla thought as she gazed outside through the window and saw the white flakes falling gently from the sky.
It's been a few days since the commotion at the greenhouse, and Layla was getting bored inside her room.
"Ella, prepare my coat and boots. I'm going outside to enjoy the snow," Layla said excitedly.
Layla goes out of the house and feels the cold snowflakes falling from the sky. She can see her breath forming clouds in the air and can't help but smile.
Ophelia's body was weak because of her illness, but somehow, since she possessed it, it was healthier than ever.
She felt alive in the winter wonderland.
Layla decided to wander the garden and admire the white snow bed covering the whole garden.
She was walking around the garden for a few minutes when she caught sight of the frozen water fountain in the corner, which looked more beautiful than ever.
The fountain was a stunning sight, with icicles hanging from the edges and a layer of snow on top of the frozen water.
The fountain was rather familiar, even though it was the first time Layla had seen it.
Her eyes grew wide as she realized something.
This place was mentioned in the novel.
The hero and the heroine came here, and it was also winter. Layla couldn't believe she was standing in the exact same spot where the characters had shared their memories.
Layla roamed her eyes around the area, trying to find something.
Her eyes grew wide when she saw a small pebble in the corner covered in snow and tapped it with her foot, revealing a hidden passage of stairs leading down into the earth.
Layla hesitated for a moment, but her curiosity got the best of her, and she began to descend the stairs. The underground was dark, but the more she went inside the tunnel, the brighter the path became, as if someone had laid out torches along the way and finally arrived at a rather beautiful place.
Layla smiled at the discovery. She also read this in the novel.
The hero of the novel had gone through a similar tunnel and discovered a hidden garden. This garden was filled with vibrant flowers and exotic plants that Layla had never seen before. This was a forgotten paradise, hidden in this estate.
This garden was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold and dreary weather outside.
And it has a fountain that is a complete replica of the same one outside.
The sound of the water trickling down was soothing and peaceful.
Layla halted her steps and tried to get a feel of the place.
I think I heard something.
Maybe it was just the wind.
But she couldn't shake off the feeling that she had heard right.
Layla immediately ran and hid behind a bush, trying to stay as quiet as possible.
She didn't want to be seen by whoever or whatever was making the noise.
She heard footsteps coming her way.
***