Chapter 3

Seeing me, Cassidy showed no embarrassment. Instead, she acted like the lady of the house, enthusiastically inviting me.

"Claire's here! Come in, sit down, don't be a stranger."

My breath hitched. The words I was about to say caught in my throat. I looked at Julian on the sofa, confused.

"What is she doing here?"

Julian saw the change in my expression and looked a little guilty.

"Cassidy hasn't been feeling well lately, so I just moved her in to make it easier to take care of her. Don't overthink it."

It dawned on me.

No wonder Julian was home tonight – it was all for Cassidy.

Julian even wore a relieved expression.

"Good thing you sent Lily to your mom's house already. Otherwise, with so many people here, it would be a bit inconvenient."

All I felt was sarcasm.

He hadn't noticed anything wrong with Lily's absence. His only concern was Cassidy.

Cassidy feigned remorse.

"It's all my fault, I'm disturbing your marital life. Claire, I'm just staying for a few days, you're not mad, are you?"

But her eyes were filled with triumph and provocation.

Fearing I might make a scene, Julian quickly explained.

"Claire, don't worry, Cassidy and I already talked. She'll just sleep on the couch. We promise not to disturb you."

But the next second, I saw profound tenderness in his eyes.

How could he bear to let Cassidy sleep on a cold couch?

If I hadn't unexpectedly returned, he would surely be holding Cassidy tightly in his arms.

Thinking this, I spoke.

"If her back is bad, how can she sleep on the couch? She should sleep in the master bedroom."

Cassidy's face instantly lit up.

"Really? Claire, you're so generous!"

Julian also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Claire, I'm so relieved you're thinking this way. I was afraid you'd be jealous of Cassidy and make a huge scene again."

He thought I was finally being reasonable, that I wouldn't argue over such a small matter.

But I was leaving anyway. What did it matter where she stayed?

As Julian gleefully pulled Cassidy, ready to move into the master bedroom, I quietly finished packing my luggage, preparing to go to a hotel.

But just as I reached the door, Julian, who had suddenly come out of the master bedroom, saw me. He rushed over to stop me.

"Claire, it's so late. Where are you going?"

I smiled faintly.

"To make space for you and Cassidy, of course."

Hearing this, Julian's face instantly turned ashen. He gritted his teeth.

"Claire, what are you talking about?"

"I already explained it clearly. Cassidy has back pain, so I brought her home for a few days. And you yourself agreed to let her stay in the master bedroom. What kind of stunt are you pulling now?"

"Do you have no sympathy at all?"

He lectured me endlessly, but I only found it laughable.

I used to argue with him constantly over Cassidy, and he'd call me immature, unreasonable, and irrational. Now I was being reasonable and not arguing, and he was upset again.

Cassidy then dabbed at her eyes with fake tears.

"I knew Claire was still mad at me. It's all my fault. I'll just go, let me just die in the street."

Her acting was terrible, but Julian believed her. He pulled Cassidy behind him.

"Cassidy, you're staying right here tonight! Let's see who dares to kick you out!"

Then, crossing his arms, he coldly told me:

"You've gotten bold, haven't you? Go on, leave if you dare!"

He was certain I loved him and wouldn't really go.

But from the moment Lily died, my love for him had completely vanished. I would never forgive him, not in this lifetime.

I gave a cold laugh, picked up my suitcase, and walked straight out.

Julian stood there, staring blankly at my retreating back, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

It wasn't until I was in the elevator that I heard Julian's shout from behind me.

"Go then! If you leave, don't you dare come back!"

But he didn't know I truly wouldn't turn back. He had lost me forever.

At the hotel, I slept soundly all night.

The next morning, I checked my phone to find dozens of missed calls, all from Julian.

The last call was half an hour ago.

I found it odd. Had he been awake all night?

He always told me to be more understanding and argue less with Cassidy. But when had he become so petty?

When I opened the door, Julian sat on a chair, his face drawn and haggard.

The moment he saw me, his emotions flared.

"Is this about me letting Cassidy stay at the house? Are you running away and quitting your job because of that?"