Chapter 3

Once-loving people somehow rot in secret, leaving me at a loss for words.

Maybe it was the miscarriage, maybe it was the blood loss, but I felt dizzy.

Suddenly, a scream came from Addie's room.

Along with Purr's cries.

Everett dashed inside, then minutes later, carried Addie to the elevator entrance.

Addie's head rested on Everett's chest, sobbing: "That little beast bit me, Everett. Is my hand ruined?"

Her left hand dangled down, indeed with two cat bite marks, bleeding a little.

"I'm taking Addie to get vaccinated. Go home." Everett frowned, rushing into the elevator.

I turned to look at Purr, wobbling as it walked, likely kicked a few times, vomiting after only a few steps.

[Your cat is as annoying as you. So hateful.] A text message from Addie popped up.

I couldn't be bothered to reply, stumbled into a cab home, cleaned up Purr and myself, and only collapsed into bed late at night.

In the morning, I was woken by the sound of the range hood in the kitchen.

I was surprised to see Everett cooking.

He never cooks. In all these years, I've made every meal.

Could he know about the miscarriage, feeling guilty?

I brushed my hair in my room, walked out, but he was gone.

Along with the food he prepared.

Half an hour later, I checked Addie's TikTok with my alternate account, and sure enough:

"Got bitten by a bad kitty, but Everett made me a heartfelt breakfast. MUA~"

I closed the page, just as Human Resources sent me the Resignation Confirmation.

I signed it without hesitation.

I didn't go to the hospital all morning, and at noon, Everett seemed uneasy when I didn't bring him a heartfelt lunch.

Around one o'clock, he suddenly came home.

Was it possible he found out about my miscarriage and felt a pang of conscience?

After tidying my hair in the room, I stepped out of the bedroom to find he was already gone, along with the meal he had just made.

Half an hour later, I logged into an alternate TikTok account to check Addie's TikTok. As expected, there was a post: "Got a bite from a naughty dog, and my sweet breakfast was made by my silly guy. MUA~"

I closed the page just as HR sent me the confirmation of my resignation. I signed it without a second thought.

I didn't go to the hospital at all that morning. By noon, Everett seemed unsettled, noticing I hadn’t brought him his usual lunch.

Around one o’clock, he unexpectedly came home.

I was packing my things. Thankfully, we didn’t have kids, so there wasn't much to take.

“I brought you something to eat,” he said, holding up a takeout bag.

Cold cake and iced coffee.

I had just undergone a miscarriage procedure—I couldn’t eat that.

Addie had texted me: [Cora, what you're eating is just our leftovers. Enjoy it. Don't choke.]

I looked at my phone, resisting the urge to smash it.

From Addie's alternate TikTok account, I learned Everett had just come from her place. He took her to Nian Nian Restaurant, the one I’d been asking to visit for ages, but he always claimed to be too busy.

Everett didn’t notice anything. After a few minutes of me scrolling on my phone, he suddenly got irritated.

“Cora, who are you making that face for? Eat it or don’t, whatever!”

“I don’t want to eat your and Addie's leftovers, alright?” I replied bluntly.

“Cora, Addie's hand hasn’t recovered yet. I just took her for a simple meal. Is this necessary? Besides, she’s the Dean’s Daughter. You can’t help with my promotion, so can’t I find another way?”

Seeing my pale face, his tone softened slightly:

“I know I’ve been busy lately and neglected you. I’m going on a business trip these days. When I come back, I’ll spend quality time with you.”

“Oh.” My response was flat.

It doesn’t matter anymore, Everett. Delayed affection is worth less than grass.

By the time you return from your trip, I’ll be long gone from Seaside City.

4.

The flight at 10 PM,

I’m the kind of person who never looks back once I let go.

However, I had a box in Everett’s office, containing more than ten precious photos from our time together:

The day I agreed to be his girlfriend,

Our first Chinese New Year in Seaside City,

The day he got the Associate Professorship...

I wanted to take that box back. I didn’t want to leave anything for him.

When I appeared at Everett’s office, he was busy.

He looked so handsome while working seriously. Who would know how rotten he was inside?

I asked him where the box was.

“It’s in the cabinet gathering dust. Addie got curious a few days ago and took it to look.”

“Do you even know what it is before letting someone take it?” I was a bit angry.

“It’s definitely not those photos you like to take. I hate taking pictures, you know that. I’m busy, don’t cause trouble, okay?” He frowned, practically shooing me away.

How ridiculous, Everett. Shouldn’t you check Addie's TikTok account? You’ve made 298 short videos with her.

I turned to find Addie. She claimed she was sick but was actually doing nothing in her exclusive VIP Room all day.

When I arrived, she was cutting something on the bed. Next to the bed was a pried-open box.

“Oh, you’re here. Look, do you think Everett and I are a match?”

She held up a photo where my face was cut out and replaced with hers.

I bit my lip and said hoarsely, “A perfect match indeed.”

I should thank her. I would’ve burned those photos if I got them back.

“You're such a bitch, Cora. Get out of here, don’t let me see you again.”

I successfully angered Addie, and she slapped me.

My face burned with pain, but I didn’t hold back. I slapped her back.

“Do you believe I’ll tell your Dean Father about you seducing someone else's man?”

“Oh, am I supposed to be scared of you? Everett and I are competing fairly. Even if you told the King of Heaven, it wouldn’t matter!”

Addie swayed in front of me, laughing.

She laughed as if she really looked sick.

The building alarm blared, and someone yelled, “Earthquake.”

People rushed to the escape route.

Yet, Addie and I acted as if we didn’t hear it.

The table and chairs shook violently in the room.

A cup on the table shattered on the ground.

“No, Addie, you can have him. I don’t want him.”

I was curious and asked, “When did you two get together?”

“We got together on Valentine’s Day. You’re the homewrecker between Everett and me. The unloved one is the homewrecker!”

Really, February 14th. How laughable.

On February 14th this year, Everett even pulled me to book a wedding photoshoot in the morning.

How did he end up in bed with someone else so quickly, secretly for almost ten months?

While thinking about this, the entire building shook more violently,

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Everett rushed in.

“There’s an earthquake! What are you doing standing there!”

He shouted at Addie, pulling her towards the escape route.

It was too crowded, too packed. He protected her, holding her in his arms, pushing through the crowd.

I didn’t know if he was blind or if I just wasn’t in his heart anymore,

Standing right beside Addie, he didn’t see me.

I just stood there, quietly watching their backs disappear down the corridor.

5

I escaped the scene in a sorry state and went back to collect myself.

Fastened my collar, put on my coat, and headed to the airport alone.

While waiting at the gate, I saw Everett again.

He was dragging a suitcase, holding Addie’s hand. They were chatting and laughing.

So, the business trip he mentioned was with her.

I watched them check their luggage. He carried her handbag,

“It’s too heavy, I’ll do it.”

He didn’t let Addie lift a finger, personally loading all the luggage onto the conveyor belt.

I recalled our last vacation together, which was last year.

I had to persuade him to take just a three-day leave.

With his long legs, I had to jog behind him with my suitcase to catch the plane.

I wanted him to help carry my bag.

“My hands are for surgery. Carrying too much can sprain my wrist.” He frowned and refused.

Back then, I thought, yeah, I really am inconsiderate.

Haha, I’m truly slow to catch on.

We dated for three years in college, worked together for three years after graduation,

He promised he’d love me forever.

…

“Addie, I think I saw Cora.”

At the boarding gate, Everett seemed suspicious, turning to look around.

But there was no sign of me, only the announcement echoing in the bright hall.

“You’re imagining things, Everett. I don’t care. Before New Year’s Day, you must end things with that Cora. I want you all to myself. Your mind can only have me!”

…

Two planes took off in succession but flew in different directions.