Chapter 3

After that day, Xavier seemed like a different person.

He suddenly stopped going anywhere, leaving late and returning early.

In the mornings, he'd have me walk him to the entrance. After putting on his shoes, he'd turn back to kiss my forehead.

At night, he'd bring me flowers—sometimes pansies, sometimes irises...

Different ones every day.

Then he'd kiss the corner of my lips and tell me:

"Today, I missed you very much."

But the man who said he missed me spent his days shopping with Bridget and going to hot springs.

He pretended affection, and I pretended affection too. Neither of us asked or spoke about it.

Until Xavier's mother's birthday.

Xavier said he wanted to take me back home to celebrate.

I agreed.

When he came to pick me up that evening, the passenger seat was already occupied.

It was Bridget.

She smiled at me without a trace of guilt. "Sorry, Mrs. Harper. I get a little carsick."

Was this Xavier testing me?

I smiled and nodded, unbothered. "It's fine. Carsickness is uncomfortable. I understand."

As I pulled open the back door to get in, Xavier got out of the car.

He opened the passenger door and looked at Bridget. "Get out."

Bridget's face changed. She forced a smile. "Mr. Harper, I..."

Xavier held the door with a cold expression. "Don't make me drag you out myself."

Bridget's face looked even worse.

The atmosphere grew tense. Just as I was about to break the awkward silence, Xavier pulled Bridget out.

"Either sit in the back or get your own ride."

He didn't look at Bridget's expression. He simply helped me into the passenger seat.

I felt conflicted, but I knew this wasn't the time to defy Xavier.

So I said nothing.

Bridget didn't call her own ride. She sat in the back.

After the car started, Xavier handed me a gift box and explained simply, "For my mother. You give it to her."

I made a soft sound of agreement. Before I could speak, Bridget spoke first:

"It's an emerald necklace. I took Mr. Harper shopping for it. It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I touched the gift box and smiled gently. "Yes, it really is beautiful."

See—the man who said he missed me.

His body was always somewhere else.

How could I dare believe him?