It was already 7:00 pm, but Jonathan still hadn't announced the start of his birthday party.

Jonathan sat on the couch, fidgeting with a lighter while bearing a cold expression. He would occasionally raise his wrist to look at the time. On top of that, he would also unlock his phone screen from time to time.

"Jon." Evelyn bit her lip and lightly tugged at his sleeve. "It's getting late, and everyone's hungry…"

Jonathan glanced at her with a smile. Yet, for some reason, he couldn't offer a sincere one. 

"You're the one who's hungry, right?" he teased while pinching Evelyn's cheek.

Evelyn conveniently leaned into his arms and pouted. "I'm famished! I really want to have some cake!"

That was when Jonathan caught a whiff of a faint but familiar perfume scent. He stiffened, then spoke with a lowered tone. "What perfume are you using?"

"I grabbed a random perfume bottle from the dressin

I didn't immediately contact Evan after arriving in the new city I would call home. Instead, I first went to see my best friend from my university days, Sandra Lambton. 

I wanted to tell her my secret, but I didn't know how to summarize everything on such short notice.

To my surprise, I bumped into Evan at the welcome party Sandra organized for me.

Evan donned a black suit and stood at the door to the private room. His coat, the same color as his suit, was draped on his arm.

The lamp in the hallway behind him shined onto the gorgeous, vibrant mural. It cast a lovely glow over the space.

Evan stood away from the light. Despite that, everything else seemed to pale in comparison to his presence.

It had been years since I last saw him, but he seemed more attractive and mature than when we were in university. And yet, he had become my fiancé even though we hadn't seen each other in year

After all, no matter how sad I was in the past, I would always willingly wait in silence for Jonathan to return to me. 

He was used to seeing me behave that way. Everyone around him always said I would never be able to leave him, and he believed them.

I pulled my luggage and was about to leave.

That was when Evelyn's honeyed voice rang out. "Jon, you're here!" She ran toward him and hugged his arm tightly, pressing her body against him.

"Has your allergic reaction subsided?" Jonathan brushed Evelyn's bangs to one side of her forehead to carefully inspect her.

"I'm doing much better." Evelyn beamed, her eyes crinkling in delight. "Don't be upset at Ruth, Jon."

While saying that, she hugged Jonathan's arm and swayed it slightly. "To be honest, it's my fault. Dad wouldn't have asked Ruth to switch rooms with me if it weren't for my poor health. Ruth wouldn't be mad at me either…"

"How is any of it your fault? Ruth's just selfish!" Jonathan peered at me before intentionally pulling Evelyn into his arms. "Let's head in. The allergic reactions on your face have just subsided, so you shouldn't be out here in the cold."

"Alright."

I watched as the two left in a tight embrace, as though they were conjoined twins. Despite that, my heart was calm. I no longer felt any fluctuating emotions.

…

Dad didn't bring me home after Mom's death anniversary like he claimed he would. 

Soon, Jonathan's birthday came in the blink of an eye. 

The old me would have already prepared a birthday gift for him ages ago. Then, I would have gone to great lengths to book a hotel venue and set up a birthday party for him. 

That said, I didn't prepare any gifts for him this year, nor would I celebrate his birthday anymore.

At 5:00 pm today, I was in a car on the way to the airport.

My phone kept chiming from continuous notifications.

Dad was urging me. He asked, "Why aren't you here yet? Portia, Evelyn, and I have already arrived.

"You should be more accommodating, Ruth. Jonathan will eventually be a part of our family. What will others think if you don't attend his party today? They'll surely assume you and your sister are fighting."

I found his message ridiculous. I didn't bother responding and only blocked his contact. 

I was about to board my flight when I suddenly received a WhatsApp message from Jonathan. 

"Why aren't you here yet? Everyone's waiting for you."

A scoff left my lips, but I didn't respond. I merely blocked all of Jonathan's contacts and socials. Following that, I headed to the boarding gate without looking back.


It was already 7:00 pm, but Jonathan still hadn't announced the start of his birthday party.

Jonathan sat on the couch, fidgeting with a lighter while bearing a cold expression. He would occasionally raise his wrist to look at the time. On top of that, he would also unlock his phone screen from time to time.

"Jon." Evelyn bit her lip and lightly tugged at his sleeve. "It's getting late, and everyone's hungry…"

Jonathan glanced at her with a smile. Yet, for some reason, he couldn't offer a sincere one. 

"You're the one who's hungry, right?" he teased while pinching Evelyn's cheek.

Evelyn conveniently leaned into his arms and pouted. "I'm famished! I really want to have some cake!"

That was when Jonathan caught a whiff of a faint but familiar perfume scent. He stiffened, then spoke with a lowered tone. "What perfume are you using?"

"I grabbed a random perfume bottle from the dressing room at home." Evelyn was taken aback. "What's wrong, Jon? Does it smell bad?"

Jonathan shook his

Chapter 9