Chapter 4
I was furious and sick to my stomach, so I didn't go home that night. Instead, I stayed in my studio.
When I didn't show up, Samuel blew up my phone with messages all night, apologizing again and again for running to Nicole after she got hurt.
I didn't reply to a single one.
Early the next morning, Samuel was camped out right outside my studio door. His eyes were ringed with dark circles, bloodshot, and exhausted. Clearly, he hadn't slept all night.
"I was just trying to be a responsible boss. If you don't like it, I won't do it again. Evelyn, please don't be mad at me," he pleaded.
He looked so desperate to please me, almost groveling.
I gave a cold, sarcastic chuckle.
"Trust me. That's not what I'm mad about," I said.
Compared to all the other messed-up crap, this barely even registers.
Samuel couldn't stand me not coming home every night, so he got super clingy again, just like when we first started dating.
Every morning, he'd make breakfast at home, bring it over to my studio, sit down and eat with me, then drive me to the office before heading off to BrightForge Studios.
In the afternoon, he'd hurry out to buy groceries and come back to my studio to cook dinner for me.
I was calm as ever, but he was a nervous wreck, always afraid I'd slip away.
He tried more than once to stay the night, but every time, I sent him packing with the excuse that I hadn't been sleeping well lately and just needed some peace and quiet.
So that day, he rushed over around noon, carrying a big insulated thermos. He told me he'd made some nourishing soup to help me sleep better, since I'd been having trouble lately.
My assistant joked, "Boss, you really lucked out. Your husband's not just rich and good-looking. He's basically husband material of the year."
I just smiled, saying nothing, but inside I couldn't help thinking how ironic it all was.
When I twisted the lid open, a strong aroma wafted out.
It was actually mutton offal soup.
Neither Samuel nor I could stand mutton.
Nicole was the one who actually liked it.
Samuel, who had just left, came running back in, carrying another identical thermos.
When he saw the thermos on my desk with the lid open, his gaze went blank, and he stood there, speechless.
I stepped in to save him, giving a little smile.
"Nicole's your MVP at work. She totally deserves you making her some soup," I said.
He was sweating bullets, looking seriously nervous.
"Evelyn, are you upset?" he asked.
I closed the thermos, stood up, and handed it back to him. "I don't mind. It's for work, after all."
He looked stunned, scanning my face for any sign of anger, clearly suspicious.
I said softly, "Your birthday's coming up in a couple of days. Didn't we agree we'd celebrate just the two of us at that restaurant by the lake?
"I've been so busy lately. I haven't been giving you enough attention. But I've already got a gift ready to make it up to you."
He started to relax, the suspicion fading from his face.
I flashed him a sweet smile. "It's something you've been dreaming about for ages, and trust me, it's expensive."
His eyes lit up instantly. "Is it that car..."
He kept talking about it. He had his eye on a Cayenne for ages.
Even the Mercedes he drove was a gift from me two years ago.
I put a finger on his lips and smiled.
"If you guess it, you'll ruin the surprise," I teased.
He broke into a huge grin and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Evelyn, you're so good to me," he said.
On Samuel's birthday night, as luck would have it, the restaurant was completely empty. There were just the two of us, not another soul in sight.
As soon as I stepped inside, the lights suddenly went out, plunging the whole place into darkness.
While I was still caught off guard, a spotlight flicked on, lighting Samuel up center stage.
He held the microphone with a big grin on his face.
He said, "Evelyn, honestly, instead of celebrating my birthday, I'd much rather throw a party just to thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be where I am now.
"Being with you is what really deserves to be celebrated."
"Surprise!" everyone shouted, their voices bubbling with excitement.
My bestie, Chloe, came in with a huge grin, pushing a cake cart.
Following close behind her were Samuel's parents, plus all our friends and colleagues.
With the piano playing softly in the background, Samuel started singing "Only You" just for me, his voice full of tenderness.
I spotted Nicole in the crowd, chewing on her lower lip, her eyes red and watery.
She was wearing that light blue pleated dress again. It was like a stab to my eyes just looking at her.
After Samuel finished singing, he pulled out a delicate pink diamond necklace and put it on me himself, his touch gentle and careful.
Our friends started egging me on, all hyped up and dying to see what I'd gotten him.
Samuel was practically buzzing with excitement, his whole face lit up with anticipation.
My eyes couldn't help but show a trace of cold mockery.
He was the one who called in this whole audience himself.
I gave a sly smile and handed him the gift box I'd already gotten ready.
He grabbed it, barely able to contain his excitement. "Evelyn, you're always so thoughtful. Even the car keys come in such a big box. Don't tell me there's another surprise hiding inside?"
But the moment he lifted the lid, his words died in his throat, and his face went ghostly pale with shock.