Chapter 4

The famous seafood restaurant's large wooden table was loaded with abalone, crab, sea cucumber, and more delicacies.

Noah was focused on picking the crab meat, carefully placing the tender white flesh onto my plate.

"Zoe, I was wrong before. Can you forgive me?" Noah asked.

I remained silent, staring blankly at the crab meat on my plate.

I told him about my seafood allergy when we were dating, but he had forgotten.

I had even reminded him again before this trip.

His first formal apology should have meant something, but I couldn't find any joy.

"She's allergic!" a voice called out.

"Waiter, bring some pasta and a light salad!" the same voice commanded.

Oliver whisked away my plate and replaced it with a portion of pasta from the waiter.

"You just had surgery, and you've had a rough day. You need something gentle on your stomach," he said softly.

"Thank you," I gave him a grateful look.

How ironic that my boyfriend of nearly 10 years knew me less than a senior classmate I'd only known for just over a year.

"Ungrateful bitch," Noah muttered under his breath as he dumped the plate on the ground, where several stray dogs immediately scrambled for the food.

My heart sank even further as I watched Noah peel off the crab roe and feed it directly to Ruby's waiting mouth.

Ruby made a show of it, deliberately running her tongue across Noah's fingers in a suggestive way.

I turned away in disgust, the warm pasta in front of me now tasting like cardboard.

In the past, Noah would always eat whatever I was having.

He never complained and never chose differently.

His answer was always the same. "Whatever Zoe loves, I love it too. Because I love Zoe."

Now I realized it had all been an act.

My chest felt heavy with emotion as tears began to blur my vision, dropping into my pasta.

Under the table, where no one could see, Oliver discreetly slipped two tissues into my palm.

Noah was too busy flirting with Ruby, constantly calling her "baby" and "sweetheart" loud enough for everyone to hear.