Chapter 3

"Did my mom say something to you again? Don't let it bother you, don't take it personally," Spencer said.

Abrielle lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions in her eyes.

She couldn't help but scoff at herself inside. What a fool she'd been. It took her seven years to realize that Spencer had never once stood by her side.

Even now, he still expected her to be the one to compromise.

"Rosie's been living abroad for a long time, so she doesn't know anything about us. I just told her you were my secretary, just to avoid any unnecessary drama," Spencer explained.

"I moved your stuff to the room next door. We'll be sleeping separately for a few days. Don't worry, there's nothing going on between me and Rosie. She's sleeping in the bed, and I'm crashing on the couch," he added.

"And please, don't bring this up at dinner, okay?" he pleaded.

Abrielle stood there, frozen, like a puppet drained of emotion. No matter how many times Spencer tried to wipe away her tears, they just kept falling, like beads slipping off a broken string.

"Got it," she said.

Swallowing the ache in her chest, Abrielle rasped out the words, never once looking at him as she walked right past his shoulder and left.

Spencer's hand hung awkwardly in the air. He watched her back as she walked away, his gaze complicated, but in the next moment, his expression returned to its usual indifference.

Abrielle went downstairs and saw that the table was loaded with food, seven or eight dishes in total.

But none of them were her favorites.

"Abrielle, come sit here. Sorry, we didn't think of your preferences. Spencer just picked up everything I like when he went shopping today," Rosie said.

"He even got sea cucumber just for me. I can't believe he still remembers it's my favorite after all these years. Why don't you have some too?" she added.

Abrielle pulled out a chair and sat down across from them. As Rosie dropped a piece of sea cucumber into her bowl, she couldn't help but feel like an outsider.

She took a bite. The texture was fresh and tender, but all she could taste was bitterness.

"Spencer, eat more of this. It's really good for you," Rosie chimed in.

Rosie scooped more food onto Spencer's plate, giving him a sugary smile that could melt anyone's heart.

"Remember seven years ago when I went overseas? I joked that I was leaving because your cooking was so bad. You swore that when I came back, you'd whip up a feast that would totally shock me.

"I thought you were just messing around, but you actually went and learned how to cook," Rosie said, her eyes twinkling with delight.

"And your phone case. You're still using the one I gave you all those years ago! Back then, you said only girls liked dolls, and it was way too cute for a serious CEO like you.

"I told you if you ever swapped it out, I'd give you the silent treatment for a whole month. So, what, you kept it all this time just because you were scared I'd get mad?" Rosie teased, grinning playfully.

Abrielle's hand paused mid-motion as she was picking up food.

"Abrielle, you probably don't know this, but that Hello Kitty figurine on Spencer's desk? I gave it to him for his eighteenth birthday, and he's kept it there ever since. I never thought he'd actually like it so much," Rosie said.

Rosie blinked at Abrielle, looking just like a kid who'd just gotten a treat and couldn't wait to show it off.

Abrielle let out a soft laugh.

"Oh, really? Mr. Walker really treats you... so well," she said.

'"Hope you two stay just as lovey-dovey after you get married," Abrielle said.

Spencer's expression shifted, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Rosie, meanwhile, looked thrilled. She grabbed Abrielle's bowl, ready to ladle out some soup.

"Abrielle, you really do have a sweet tongue. No wonder you've lasted so long at the Walker Group. Here, let me get you some fish soup. Gotta let you taste Spencer's cooking," Rosie said, practically beaming.

Abrielle was allergic to fish, so she instinctively pulled her hand back, trying to refuse, her mind flashing with panic.

But as her hand brushed against Rosie's wrist, the bowl suddenly flipped over, and piping hot fish soup spilled onto both their wrists, leaving them red and swollen in seconds.

Rosie yelped.

As soon as Rosie cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face, Spencer jumped up, scooped her into his arms, and rushed her out.

But when he glanced back and saw Abrielle sitting there, her wrist red and swollen, he paused for a moment, then made his choice.

"There's medicine in the first aid box. Use it for now. I'm taking Rosie to the hospital first. I'll come back for you as soon as I can," he said.

Her breathing grew shaky as she watched Spencer walk away, and honestly, she couldn't tell what hurt more, her wrist or her heart.

In the end, Abrielle ended up grabbing a cab and heading to the hospital alone.

By the time she saw the doctor and got her IV, it was already late at night.

The nurse came over to change her drip, and when she noticed the red blotches spreading across Abrielle's skin, her brows knitted in concern.