nding like a gunshot in the silent apartment. She let the suitcase crash onto the floor, leaning against the

as reflected. She met the stranger's gaze, a flicker of unyieldin

ipping her usual preference for soft and comfortable dresses, she took o

ircles under the eyes, refine the contours of the cheekbones, and shape the brows well. The last item

n her at the same time. A flash of amazed admiration flashed in Julian's eyes-that was the lo

a quiet hall of fine dining. That kind of place had to be booked week

nto the front passenger seat, letting Julian and Ava sit in the back

g out-an unintentional intimacy. Then he walked around to the driver's side, completely

ulled out a chair for Ava. It wasn't until he reached halfway up his seat that he seemed to remember Caitlin, a

r another, as fine as pa

uided her to avoid fish. But he didn't remember that Caitlyn was slightl

almly told the waiter, ignoring the fl

ork, a new merger case, and colleagues she had never met before. At her own wedding anniversar

s full of false sympathy. "Unlike me, I see Julian in the offic

as work, not vacation. Some of us know ho

turned sl

tlin, Ava is just tr

. Caitlin learned from a remark Julian once casually mentioned that Ava was allergic to m

. She leaned toward Julian, her voice lowered, as if plotti

commanding. "Can you order something else? The truff

midair. This shamelessness left her breathless. "This is my di

e leaned over the table, her fork swiftly extending like a sn

ite." She said with a pla

t that neither of

fully calculated move, she saw the e

ate cough, followed by intense, spasmodic gasping. Breathing bec

ng sharply against the floor. "What's wrong?" Hav

hroat and gasping for breath. "I just ...... Cait

s. He stared at Caitlyn, his voice low and vicious, like

ergic. Are you doin

held another woman in his arms, a woman who

hing, their curious gazes turning into judgment.

head softly resting on his shoulder. "We need to go to the hos

she wa

the anniversary he had already forgotten. The truffle risotto

but her heart was complet