Chapter 4

Perhaps hearing the anger in my voice, he finally put down what he was holding and faced me properly.

"I'm sorry, the old house was demolished and redeveloped. Stay here tonight, and tomorrow I'll take you to choose a house you like, okay?"

Mark also tried to persuade me:

"That's right, all the old houses were demolished. It's a shopping mall now. You've had a long day—why not just make do here tonight?"

Another shopping mall!

I got out of the car and slammed the door hard. I wanted to part ways with him right then and there, but Mark didn't lead the way.

Just as I was confused, Torres got out of the car too. I thought he was going to explain, but he just walked past me toward the hotel entrance.

"What's he doing?" I asked Mark in confusion.

"The CEO has to inspect a nearby branch office early tomorrow morning, so he's staying at the hotel tonight too."

"Oh, in the room next to yours."

What's there to explain? It's not like I wanted to sleep in the same room as him.

I followed behind him irritably. When I entered the spacious, bright lobby, the luxurious decor left me in awe. Being rich must be nice—you can stay in royal castles.

I remember when Torres and I were dating, we'd stayed overnight somewhere too—a run-down inn with a creaky wooden bed. In that environment, we gave ourselves to each other.

Though we were poor, we only had eyes and hearts for each other.

Not like now. Even though the floor beneath my feet had been carefully cleaned and polished by others, the person standing on it wasn't the same person anymore.

"You're staying in this room. If you need anything, feel free to call me. There's a landline by the bed."

The room prepared for me was huge, several times larger than our wedding apartment.

There were many things inside I'd never seen before—tiles that produced water just by waving your hand, hot drinks that prepared themselves when you spoke, a huge bed you could sink into just by stepping on it.

Everything was so luxurious, so perfect, yet my heart ached unbearably.

The emotions I'd suppressed all day suddenly released. Tears fell uncontrollably.

"Dad, Mom, Torres betrayed me. He betrayed me!"

In one night, I'd lost not only my lover but also my parents.

Why? Why did they have to be seen together that day? If I hadn't gotten on that train, would my mom and dad have come back?

I don't know how long I cried. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it!"

"It's me."

Torres?

I quickly stood up to compose myself, wiping my face with water, but the tile thing wouldn't work. Then suddenly a curtain of water poured down from above.

"Ah!"

By the time I reacted, I was soaked through and had fallen down.

"Ding!"

The sound of the door unlocking came, and then Torres appeared before me.

"What happened!"

I looked at him with red eyes, and finally couldn't hold back my tears.

Crying, I said: "I just wanted to wash my face, but I'm not used to the things here. I'm not used to you either!"

"Why? Why did I just sleep, and when I woke up everything had changed!"

"Wah wah wah!"

In the past, whenever I cried, Torres would magically produce candy from his pocket to comfort me. This time was no exception.

Looking at the candy before me, I was momentarily surprised.

Sometimes I really wondered if he knew magic—otherwise why did he always have candy in his pocket, yet I'd never seen him eat any.

"You have sensitive skin. I brought you cotton clothes and left them outside. Eat the candy and go change, so you don't catch cold. I'll clean up here."

So he still remembered.

I took the candy from his hand, tore open the wrapper and put it in my mouth. The sweet taste instantly filled my mouth.

My favorite strawberry flavor.

When I finished changing, he'd already prepared hot water and toothpaste for me. Just like every morning after our marriage, except back then I was the one preparing them for him.

"Get some rest early after washing up. I'll sleep on the couch tonight. If you need anything, just call me."

"Did you and..."

Did you and Mia get together?

The words reached my lips but I couldn't say them. Forget it, whether they're together or not, I'll find out eventually.

That night I slept deeply, almost until morning. When I woke up, there was a brand-new dress on the nightstand—the one I couldn't bear to buy from the store window fifteen years ago.

And his figure was long gone from the couch.

The company name, strawberry-flavored candy, the dress I'd wanted for so long.

So he still loved me, right!

Maybe yesterday I was mistaken. Maybe he and Mia weren't as close as they appeared. Maybe they just ran into each other at the mall.

Realizing this, I suddenly felt excited. I wanted to find him quickly and ask clearly. As long as I asked clearly, all of this could pass. He would still be the Torres who only loved me!

I quickly washed up and left the room. Mark was waiting right outside the door.

"Good morning. Torres instructed me to take you to the restaurant to find him when you woke up."

"Okay, thank you."

When I reached the restaurant, I spotted Torres immediately. But someone else was sitting beside him—Mia.

Even after fifteen years, she was still so beautiful and elegant.

This made my heart tremble.

"Marta? Is that really you!"

Seeing me arrive, Torres didn't look up, but Mia enthusiastically greeted me, walked over and took my hand, examining me carefully.

And I just happened to see the dazzling gemstone ring on her right ring finger.

No, Marta, calm down. Fifteen years have passed. Everyone should have gotten married. Maybe they're just friends now!

Pull yourself together, Marta. Torres clearly still has feelings for you!

Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile to face her.

But the next second, Mark's words sent me straight to hell.

He said: "Good morning, Mrs. Torres. Ms. Marta will be in your care today."