CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 164: PATRICIA

When Ivy and Talia finally returned to the base, Talia looked very serious. She held Ivy’s arm for a moment before letting go.

"Ivy," Talia said softly, "I’ll take care of everything that happened tonight. Don’t worry. And... thank you again. I’ll remember this favor for the rest of my life."

Ivy looked at her for a while, then just waved her hand lightly. "No need for thanks. Just... don’t get caught like that again."

Talia gave a small smile, but her voice was still firm. "No, Ivy. I mean it. I’ll remember."

Ivy nodded, but then something suddenly came to her mind. "Oh. My suitcase. I left it at your apartment."

Talia frowned a little. "Your suitcase?"

"Yes," Ivy said, a bit embarrassed. "I need to get it back."

Talia’s expression became unreadable. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "If you want to go, then you can. But... you need to be prepared."

Ivy blinked. "Prepared? What do you mean?"

Talia just shook her head. "It’s better if you see with your own eyes. I can’t explain."

Her words made Ivy pause. For some reason, a warm feeling spread through her chest. ’She’s warning me. She’s actually worried for me.’

So Ivy left the base and headed toward Talia’s apartment.

The building was completely new, polished and tall, unlike the old places Ivy had known before.

She felt a little strange walking up to it, like she didn’t belong there. Soon, she arrived at the right door and pressed the bell.

The door opened, but it wasn’t Talia who stood there.

It was a girl. A cheerful-looking girl with bright pink hair that cascaded down like silk. She wore soft pink slippers and had a smile that made her seem like a ray of sunlight.

For a moment, Ivy froze. Something in her chest tightened painfully. The girl resembled her. Not exactly, but in a way that made it uncomfortable.

The girl tilted her head. "Yes? Who are you?"

Ivy’s voice was quiet. "Who... who are you?"

The girl smiled warmly. "Oh, my name is Patricia."

Ivy frowned. "What are you doing in Talia’s apartment?"

Patricia chuckled, covering her mouth a little. "That’s funny. I should be the one asking you that, young lady."

Ivy’s eyes narrowed. "I’m Ivy. I live here too. I came to take back my suitcase."

At her words, Patricia’s smile slowly faded. She looked at Ivy carefully, almost seriously now. Then she raised her hand and pointed straight at Ivy.

"You... You’re Silas’s first love."

The words struck Ivy like a thunderclap. Her body stiffened. "What do you mean?" she asked sharply.

Patricia leaned against the doorframe, her voice calm. "It’s nothing. Just that you were the girl he loved first. But you can leave now. Silas won’t stop you."

Something hollow opened inside Ivy’s chest. She felt her heart being scooped out, but she forced her voice to stay steady. "Good. Then give me my suitcase."

Patricia nodded politely. "I will. But sit for a while. I don’t know where Talia put it."

Ivy sat down slowly, though her body felt restless. Patricia walked around the apartment in her pink slippers. Her steps were light, her movements graceful, her smile soft.

Ivy clenched her fists. ’Why... why does she look so much like me? Even her manner is similar. If someone saw her from far away, they could mistake her for me.’

Her voice came out before she could stop it. "What is your relationship with Talia?"

Patricia turned and chuckled lightly. "Oh, I’m her sister-in-law."

Ivy’s heart skipped. "You’re... Asher’s wife?"

Patricia’s laugh rang again, but it had a playful edge. "No, not Asher’s wife. Not his girlfriend either. I’m Silas’s would-be fiancé."

Ivy’s breath caught. Her eyes widened as she stared at Patricia. "No. That’s impossible. You’re lying. Silas will never marry you."

Patricia walked closer, sitting beside Ivy with a casual air. "Why would I lie? I should actually thank you. If not for you, I would never have gotten this chance."

Ivy’s fingers dug into her palms. "What chance?"

Patricia’s eyes softened as if remembering something sweet.

"Just yesterday, when Silas was leaving the military base, he saw me. He looked at me once... and he thought I was just like you. Since he couldn’t have you, he asked me to become his substitute. And later, his wife."

The words slammed into Ivy’s ears. She shook her head violently. "No. You’re lying. You’re just trying to mess with me."

Patricia lifted her eyebrows. "Mess with you? Why would I bother? You left him. You gave up. He asked me. There’s no need to sow discord between you two. There’s no ’you two’ anymore."

Ivy’s chest ached. Something deep inside her cracked loudly. ’Silas... took a substitute? Just because he couldn’t have me? He really... gave up on me?’

Her throat felt tight. She told herself quickly, ’No, maybe he’s angry. Maybe this is just him being reckless.’

But when her eyes looked at Patricia’s bright face again, her stomach churned. Patricia was cheerful, like sunlight, while Ivy knew she had grown darker, heavier from all her past scars.

Patricia smiled at her. "You should let go, Ivy. I’m here now. I’ll take care of him. You don’t need to worry."

Ivy suddenly remembered some of the substitute novels that she had heard, how those substitutes would eventually torment the side villainous character who was the white moonlight of the main lead, and how she would slowly take the place of white moonlight in the main lead’s heart with her hardworking and caring personality.

Ivy looked at Patricia and, seeing the beautiful smile on her face, suddenly Ivy’s heart churned.

Compared to Ivy, who had turned a bit gloomy due to her past life experiences, Patricia was just like a cheerful, warm sunlight, while Ivy came off as a very gloomy person.

Ivy’s lips trembled. "I... I still love Silas."

Patricia paused, then shook her head.

"It doesn’t matter. You left him. That ended everything. I won’t let you take my place now. You always said you were different, that you couldn’t stay by his side because you’re a Jinx. Then stay away. Don’t regret your decision later."