Chapter 4

Lynn's POV

The next afternoon, Adrian came home early from the company. He said he'd reserved my favorite French restaurant, hired my favorite violinist to perform, and asked me to change and go out with him.

I refused without thinking.

"I don't want to go out."

"Lynn, since Anna's funeral, you've been cooped up at home all day. You'll make yourself sick like this."

Concern showed in his eyes, his tone softer than usual.

"Go listen to some music and change your mood, okay?"

How much I used to long for him to care about me even a little.

Now he was finally starting to worry about my mental and physical health, but only after my heart had died to ash.

I didn't understand why, now that I'd finally stopped fussing and cleared the way for him and Melissa, he was acting like he cared about me.

Just as I was about to refuse, Adrian pulled me along, taking me to the car outside the villa without allowing refusal.

"Never mind, what you're wearing is fine. There won't be outsiders anyway."

I struggled but couldn't break free from his grip.

At the French restaurant, we were led by a waiter to a window seat.

When I saw Melissa sitting there in an off-white dress, I stopped.

I turned to look at Adrian and smiled.

"This is what you call changing my mood?"

"She's felt terrible about Anna all along."

His grip on my wrist tightened as he coaxed softly,

"When she learned about what I prepared for you today, she begged me for a long time. She said she wanted to use this opportunity to apologize to you in person, to make amends for what she owes you and Anna."

Melissa stood and approached me. Her eyes immediately reddened.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I know it's too late to say anything now, but I truly-"

"Shut up!"

I directly slapped away her outstretched hand, sarcastically curling my lips.

"Apologize? Make amends? Melissa, what game are you playing now?"

Melissa's eyes immediately reddened further.

"I know you've never liked me, and Anna's death made you hate me even more, but Anna's gone, and that makes me very sad too..."

My hands clenched tightly into fists.

"Enough, Melissa! If you really feel guilty, then go kneel at Anna's grave! What's the point of this performance in front of me?"

Melissa's expression stiffened, then she looked at Adrian with grievance.

"Adrian..."

Adrian's brow furrowed deeply, as if I were being completely unreasonable.

"Melissa came to apologize sincerely. Can't you just let the past be the past? We're all family."

"Who's family with her?"

I interrupted him, my gaze coldly sweeping over him, then looking at Melissa, enunciating each word,

"My only family was my daughter, and she's dead."

That one sentence froze the air.

Finally, Adrian's expression showed displeasure as he pushed and pulled me into my seat.

"Today isn't for you two to argue. Eat properly and listen to the music."

He then clapped his hands. Waiters began serving food, and the waiting violinist started playing.

Graceful, light music flowed through every corner of the restaurant.

This violinist's performance was what I used to love most. Every dish on the table was what I used to love eating most.

But now I couldn't take in the music or swallow the food.

Especially not while sharing a space with Melissa, sitting at the same table.

Halfway through dinner, I excused myself to use the restroom.

When I came out, Melissa blocked my path at the door.

The timid, guilty look she'd had earlier was gone, replaced by a triumphant light laugh.

"It's not pleasant, is it? Getting your hopes up, only to fall even deeper."