Winifred Dawson rubbed her sleepy eyes, her throat dry as she had just woken up. With a lazy, raspy voice, she asked, “Are you leaving?”
Leland Burns had planned to leave quietly without disturbing Winifred Dawson’s sleep. Now that she was suddenly awake and asking if he was leaving, he felt a pang of reluctance. He put down his suitcase, turned around, and within a few steps, tightly embraced Winifred Dawson.
A greedy thought arose in his mind; he wished he could merge her into his body, flesh and soul intertwined, so they would never be apart. Or perhaps pack her into his suitcase and take her with him.
But reason told him he couldn’t. This trip was different from the previous ones; the dangers outside were far greater. He couldn’t gamble with Winifred Dawson’s safety.
Winifred Dawson’s face showed no expression. Just waking up, she might still be groggy, looking like an innocent child. Leland Burns gently touched her fluffy long hair.
“Yes, I have to go. Be good and wait for me at home. Do you remember what I told you yesterday?”
Winifred Dawson looked up, seemingly reluctant, “What did you say?”
People with Delirium Syndrome generally have poor memory; they often forget what happened the previous day. Leland Burns patiently said, “Wait for me to come back and marry you. Be good at home and don’t run around.”
“Okay.”
“If you miss me, you can call me.” Leland Burns took out a tablet and opened a map to demonstrate to Winifred Dawson. “Do you see this red dot?”
Winifred Dawson felt a stir in her heart and nodded, “Yes.”
“This red dot is me. You can clearly see where I am and how far I am from you. If you miss me, you can look at this. But don’t look at it all the time; it will hurt your eyes. Remember?”
“I remember.”
“Alright, I have to go now.” Leland Burns glanced at his watch, placed the tablet on the bedside table, and pinched Winifred Dawson’s soft cheek. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
Winifred Dawson thought seriously for a moment, “I will wait for your return. I will eat well, listen to the butler, call you if I miss you, and if you don’t answer, I’ll look at the red dot. Don’t worry; I won’t run around or get sick.”
“Good girl.”
This time he really had to leave. The driver had already parked the car at the door. “It’s still early; you can sleep a bit more.”
“Oh.” Winifred Dawson obediently lay back down and covered herself with the blanket.
Leland Burns smiled wryly, thinking she would cling to him and insist on going along when she woke up. It seemed he had overthought it.
He turned around, pulling his suitcase into the elevator.
Hearing the door close, Winifred Dawson turned towards the bedroom door with no trace of sleep in her eyes. She reached for the tablet and opened the map to see the red dot indicating his location.
Soon there was the sound of a car outside. Winifred Dawson got up barefooted and walked slowly to the window. Through a gap in the curtains, she saw Leland Burns standing by the car door. Just as he was about to get in, he suddenly glanced towards the bedroom window.
Winifred Dawson quickly hid but then realized there were curtains blocking his view; there was no need to hide.
Leland Burns left for several days this time-enough time for her to make her move against him.
She wasn’t alone in wanting Leland Burns out of the picture; she had secretly contacted others over these months.
Leland Burns trusted her enough to bring her along to various meetings and leave her alone in his office.
The company’s important confidential documents were kept at home in his study-a place outsiders weren’t allowed into. Winifred Dawson had pestered Leland Burns for a long time before he took her there. Usually, when she was there, so was he; doing anything was nearly impossible.
Now that he was gone…
On the first day of Leland Burns’ departure, Winifred Dawson didn’t act immediately but had a video call with him that night.
Not even ten hours after he left, during their video call, he asked her, “Winifred Dawson, do you miss me?”
Winifred Dawson nodded with an innocent smile, “Yes…” Yes, I wish you’d die quickly and never come back.
Leland Burns showed her his surroundings through his phone camera. He had just arrived at his destination and was staying in a hotel room on a high floor with a view of the city’s nightscape.
Leland Burns was now in Fig Town-a famous seaside tourist spot known for its vibrant nightlife. He talked about local customs and food before suddenly discussing their future together-how he’d bring her here after they got married.
Winifred Dawson smiled brightly as if looking forward to it but was actually growing impatient and even drowsy.
They chatted until eleven o’clock before ending the call. Leland Burns reminded her to sleep early and tell the butler if she felt unwell so he could take her to the hospital.
Finally free from the call, Winifred Dawson lay on her bed staring blankly at the ceiling. She reached out into the air as if trying to grasp something before blocking out the light above her head.
After lying there for a few minutes, she got up to wash up. She knew all about the servants’ schedules-they usually slept by eleven o’clock. She stayed up until midnight before turning off the lights and dressing in black like a shadow blending into darkness.
Sitting quietly by her bed in complete silence except for occasional insect chirps outside in April’s night breeze rustling through curtains-she checked the tablet again where Leland Burns’ red dot remained stationary on the map indicating how far away he was staying from here.
After midnight passed on the tablet clock display-Winifred Dawson stood up quietly opening doors without making any noise heading towards study room using pre-prepared fingerprint stickers scanning them successfully unlocking door hearing soft click sound causing heart rate spike slightly pushing door open carefully entering closing behind using phone flashlight approaching desk cautiously observing surroundings ensuring everything went smoothly finally exhaling relief continuing mission swiftly returning bedroom dialing phone number…