Chapter 7

Kieran barely came home. My mom’s texts bombarded me daily. Calling me a beast, a whore. Asking why it wasn’t me who died. I didn’t dare look much. My unstable emotions were like a bomb; if it went off, I might really lose control.

I hired someone to clean the house. The broken pieces couldn’t be put together, and the cleaning lady asked if I wanted to throw them away.

I stared at the things in her hands for a while, then shook my head. After seeing her out, I went out to meet a friend. Saylor was in town for a business trip and invited me to dinner. We booked a restaurant. Piano music played continuously,

Saylor hugged me as soon as she saw me.

Letting go, she looked me up and down: "Why are you so thin? I thought your Mr. Kieran would have you well-fed and chubby." I didn’t say anything. She quickly sensed my mood: "Is he treating you poorly?"

I changed the subject: "It’s rare for us to meet, let’s not talk about him." When the food arrived, Saylor chatted about her recent life, complained about her colleagues, making me laugh.

I was smiling, using a fork to stab a piece of steak, but before I could eat it, my smile froze. This restaurant is perfect for couples. The atmosphere is ideal.

But, it shouldn't be Kieran and his assistant. The man gentlemanly pulled out a chair. The pretty woman thanked him with a smile. The roses on the table were vividly beautiful.

I remained silent.

She quickly picked up on my mood. "Is he treating you poorly?"

I changed the subject. "We don't get together often, so let's not talk about him."

The food arrived.

While eating, Saylor filled me in on her recent life, venting about her colleagues and making me laugh.

I was smiling as I lifted a piece of beef to my mouth, but my smile vanished.

This restaurant is perfect for couples.

The atmosphere is wonderful.

But it shouldn't be Kieran and his assistant.

He pulled out a chair for her with exaggerated politeness.

The woman thanked him with a smile.

Roses adorned the table, vibrant and fresh.

The diamond ring on her finger caught the light from the chandelier, making my eyes ache.

I must have stared for too long because Kieran noticed.

When our eyes met, he gave me a smile devoid of warmth.

Moments later, I watched him reach over to gently tuck a strand of hair behind his assistant Nora's ear.

The gesture was intimate and suggestive.

When Saylor followed my gaze, she saw the same scene.

She instantly grew furious, grabbed the wine glass from the table, and stood up.

"Don't go."

I held her hand, almost begging, "Don't go."

She looked into my tear-filled eyes, hesitated for a few seconds, and then sat back down.

I fumbled through my bag, took out a medicine bottle, and with trembling hands, unscrewed the lid. My stomach churned with pain.

It wasn't until I swallowed the pills that I felt relief from the overwhelming suffocation.

But I couldn't eat anymore.

As Saylor and I left, we passed by Kieran and Nora.

Saylor couldn't contain her anger, and her bag knocked over a wine glass, which crashed to the floor.

The red liquid spread across the table and dripped onto the floor.

Nora frowned, ready to argue with Saylor.

Saylor shrugged, saying, "Sorry."

Nora was about to retort, but when she saw me next to Saylor, her expression softened into a smile:

"This restaurant is perfect for couples."

"You like it?" Kieran chuckled, "I'll bring you here often."

I didn't look at them.

I just stared at the dark liquid on the table, watching it drip to the floor.

Sensing something was wrong, Saylor quickly shielded my view and led me away.