Chapter 3

A tear slipped down.

The next day, my condition stabilized and the doctor told me to go home and rest.

While packing my things, I opened the bedside drawer and realized a watch was missing. It was a gift from my father with a simple design.

I searched the entire hospital room and all my luggage, but couldn’t find it.

I picked up my phone and, without thinking, opened my social media feed.

The first post was a nine-photo grid Eren had shared that morning. In the photos, he was sitting in the front passenger seat of Jolla’s car, smiling into the wind. And on his wrist, there was, unmistakably, the watch that had gone missing.

The caption read:

“Jolla says this watch style is a bit old-fashioned, but it suits me just fine. I’m borrowing it for a few days!”

It felt as if the blood rushed straight to my head.

I took a deep breath and lit up my phone screen.

“Hello, is this police? I want to report a theft. My valuable item is missing.”

At the police station, Jolla and Eren sat across from me.

Jolla’s face was livid. She lowered her voice, forcing it down.

“Louis, do you really have to make things this ugly? It is just a watch. Eren only borrowed it to wear for a while. Was it really necessary to call the police?”

I clenched the watch I had just gotten back. The hard edge pressed painfully into my palm. I did not speak, only lifted my eyes and looked at her coldly.

Jolla turned to the police officer and immediately changed her tone, putting on a polite smile.

“Officer, I am really sorry. My husband has been ill and is a bit emotionally unstable. I agreed to lend this watch to a friend. It was just a small family misunderstanding, but we ended up troubling you.”

The officer glanced at me, his tone gentle. “Husband and wife should communicate more. Do not call the police over every little thing.”

After leaving the station, Jolla pulled open the car door, her voice stiff and cold. “Get in.”

Eren naturally opened the front passenger door and sat down. He turned back and smiled at me. “Louis, you are not feeling well right now. The back seat is more spacious.”

The car started moving. Jolla stared at me through the rearview mirror. “Louis, my patience has limits. Now, you're scolding Eren and calling the police, what are you planning to do next?”

Eren reached out and gently patted her arm. “Jolla, do not be angry anymore. He just had surgery—his body is weak. It is normal for him to be sensitive and suspicious. You should spend more time with him.”

He turned back, eyes curved in a smile as he looked at me. “Louis, really, do not overthink it. Jolla and I are just good ‘friends’. We have always been like this for years.”

I did not respond. I lowered the car window and let the cold wind rush in.

When we arrived home and got out of the car, Eren stepped ahead and opened the door for me first.

I did not look at him. I walked straight inside, took the document out of the drawer and placed it in front of Jolla.

“Sign it.”

She glanced down at it. Her expression changed instantly. She picked up the pen, signed it, then slammed it onto the floor.

“Fine. Very well!”

“I have tolerated you again and again, Louis. Do not push it too far! When the time comes, do not come crying and begging me!”

The papers were scattered all over the floor. She lifted her foot and stepped straight over them in front of me.

Eren followed behind her. At the last moment before the door closed, he turned back and curled his lips at me in a faint smile.

That night, my phone screen lit up again and again.

Message after message from Eren popped up.

I opened one. The image was unsteady.

Jolla was drunk beyond consciousness. Eren leaned against her, murmuring soft words of comfort.

The next second, he suddenly cupped her face and kissed her. The two of them fell onto the bed together.

The video was withdrawn a few seconds later. I turned off the screen and backed up every single file Eren had sent.

The next afternoon, just as a friend and I sat down at a café, Jolla burst in.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her finger trembling as she pointed at me. “Louis! I never imagined you could be this vicious!”