Chapter 2
1/2
Yvette’s biological clock awoke her at 7:00 am the next day.
She opened her eyes and saw Kade smoothing out his shirt in front of a mirror. Kade’s lifestyle and routine were always the opposite of the average person’s. Yet, today was the first time she had seen him up so early.
When Kade heard Yvette’s footsteps, he turned to meet her eyes and asked, “Do I look handsome in this?”
Kade possessed a body that could pull off any outfit. He looked incredible even when he picked a random top to wear most days. Naturally, he was much more attractive since he went out of his way to dress up today. Even a casual glance from him could captivate a woman deeply.
Yvette didn’t know why Kade suddenly cared so much about his appearance. She would have felt butterflies in her stomach from his good looks if this had happened in the past–but now? She only gave him a calm nod. “Yeah, you look very handsome.”
Kade smiled, not realizing the former’s unusual behavior. “I have to attend a reunion party today. Be a good girl and stay at home. I’ll bring you some dessert when I get back.”
He left after saying that.
Yvette watched him walk out the door. She wanted to pour herself a glass of water when she noticed Kade had left his phone on the table. She picked it up but accidentally pressed the power button.
The screen lit up to reveal a text from a contact named “Charlotte“. The message read, “We haven’t seen each other in eight years, Kay. I’m looking forward to today’s reunion. What about you?”
Yvette froze in her tracks when she read that.
Charlotte had returned to the country today. It was no wonder Kade had woken up this early and was extra attentive to his appearance. Even the corners of his eyes curved in delight earlier. The door swung open in the next second.
Kade, who had turned back on his way out, suddenly came home to grab his phone. Before leaving again, he glimpsed at the notification on his screen, which caused him to pause.
He couldn’t help but look at Yvette, who was having breakfast. “Did you look through my phone?”
Yvette lifted her eyes to meet his, her gaze calm. “No. Is something the matter?”
Only then did Kade chuckle as if he were relieved. He gave a simple response, brushing things off before leaving.
For the first time, Yvette found herself unable to understand him.
Charlotte was the only woman in Kade’s heart, and he only dated women to substitute for the lack of Charlotte in his life. If that were the case, Kade wouldn’t have cared about Yvette. So, why was he so bothered about whether Yvette learned the truth?
Yvette wondered if he was afraid of losing her.
Yet, she didn’t want to be too optimistic. Besides, her defeat was inevitable.
After breakfast, Yvette sat in front of her computer and launched an illustration software.
Yvette was a comic artist. Yvette knew she couldn’t work for a long time because she would be busy with her wedding when she headed home. So, she planned to finish her remaining drafts while she had the time.
She worked hard all morning, sent the fruits of her labor to her editor at noon, and had lunch.
Yvette wanted to declutter some things since the weather was still nice. She got rid of her couple–themed mugs, keychains, scarves, coats, and many more. She had bought those over the past few years, and they now sat in a big box.
Upon seeing those things, she recalled how Kade would shrug whenever she asked him to use them. He would say, “Only girls like such trinkets. Do you seriously want me to carry these things on me wherever I go? My friends will laugh at me.”
At the thought of that, Yvette dragged the box downstairs. She threw everything, including the box, into the garbage disposal. While doing so, she coldly thought, “There. Now, nobody will laugh at you.”
Having smoothly dealt with everything, Yvette was about to head back upstairs. She turned but crashed into a firm embrace.
Kade, who had returned at some point, held Yvette’s shoulder with one hand. At the same time, he tucked Yvette’s sweat–drenched bangs aside with his other hand. “What were you throwing away? Why are you all sweaty?”
“Just some useless junk.” Yvette gave a random answer without batting an eyelash.
Kade didn’t find anything suspicious. He merely led her upstairs to his home.
The garbage truck happened to arrive when the elevator doors opened. It loudly rumbled as it collected the trash from the bins.
Yvette only retracted her gaze after the truck took the box full of things away. She sarcastically mused, “Junk? How could we possibly produce that much trash? He just had to take one look, and he would’ve realized something was amiss.
“Yet, he didn’t bother to question things. Clearly, it’s because he doesn’t care.”
A self–deprecating look flashed in Yvette’s eyes. That said, she slightly tensed when she noticed Kade’s smile, which never went away.
Kade had eyes that could charm others. His mere smile would make people unable to take their eyes off him. Perhaps Kade always wore a smile on his face because he knew this.
Others would always think Kade was affable, but only Yvette knew his smile was only for show. It wasn’t because he was truly happy.
However, his eyes lit up with genuine joy whenever he smiled today. It seemed he was sincerely much happier after meeting Charlotte.
Kade felt his home was much more spacious once he returned. He looked around before widening his eyes in surprise. “Has someone broken in? Why does it feel like a lot of things are missing? Where are our mugs? Even our pillows are gone.”
Yvette was about to answer when Kade’s phone chimed several times.
Kade glanced down at his text notifications and quickly forgot about the emptiness of his home. He strolled to his study and told Yvette before shutting the door, “I have to deal with something, Yvie. You should go to bed first. Don’t wait up for me.”
Yvette didn’t ask or say anything and only returned to their bedroom.
The clock on the wall showed it was midnight. Yvette’s phone, which she placed under her pillow, began vibrating fervently. “Happy Birthday, Yvie!”
“Wishing you the best day on your 23rd birthday, darling Yvie! Remember to go out and have some yummy cake to celebrate!”
Chapter 2
Yvette scrolled past the many notifications, all of which were birthday wishes. Her father, mother, brother, friends, classmates, and others from far away had all sent their wishes. Only her boyfriend, who was the nearest to her, seemed to have forgotten about her birthday.
