Chapter 2

“Of course not, Sir Bastian! I’ve always thought of Zee as my little sister. She’s very straightforward, so I took extra care of her at work. I didn’t expect that to cause a misunderstanding.”

I stared at Samuel's smile.

The noise around me suddenly felt overwhelming, like I was drowning. A silent pressure wrapped around my chest, leaving me nowhere to escape.

One year of a secret relationship. Three hundred and sixty-five days and nights of hiding. All of it shattered by his casual words: little sister.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile. Then I stepped forward and held my father’s arm.

“Mom, Dad, don’t worry. On New Year’s Eve, I’ll bring my boyfriend home so you can meet him.”

My father froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He patted my hand happily. “That’s great! I really want to see which handsome young man made you hide him for a whole year.”

My mother laughed as well and held my hand gently. “Yes, tell us in advance so we can prepare the food. We can’t treat him carelessly.”

Samuel didn’t seem to hear us at all. He was only holding Alenna’s hand and looking at her.

I watched the happiness on his face. The pain in my chest suddenly surged, pushing me into a reckless, almost self-destructive mood.

I curved my lips into a smile and looked at him. “What a coincidence. My boyfriend is also a doctor. He even works at the same hospital as Dr. Nightfall.”

The air around us froze instantly. The smile on Samuel’s face stiffened. He ignored Alenna and stared at me. His lips moved silently.

'Don’t do this.'

It was exactly like before, when we used to secretly kiss in his office, and someone knocked on the door. He would panic, push me away, then secretly blink at me to beg for forgiveness.

But now, his fear was different. He was afraid I would ruin his future with Alenna. Afraid I would expose his lies and his betrayal.

I looked into those familiar eyes. It felt as if an invisible hand squeezed my heart tightly. The pain made my fingers tremble.

I forced a smile, looked away, and didn’t look at him again. “But he’s quite low-key. When I bring him back for the Spring Festival, you’ll know.”

Samuel clearly relaxed. The tension in his body eased, though his ears were still painfully red—whether from guilt or fear, I didn’t know.

Just then, my father’s phone rang. He answered it, laughed a few times, then waved at us after hanging up.

“Old Will and the others are missing two people. They’re urging your mom and me to join them. It’s already past midnight—perfect timing for an all-night game.”

My mother nodded. “Then we’ll leave first. You young people enjoy yourselves.”

She turned to me, worry in her eyes. “Zee, it’s late. It’s not safe for you to go home alone. Let Sammy take you.”

Alenna immediately wrapped her arm around Samuel’s and smiled sweetly. “Uncle, Auntie, don’t worry. Samuel and I will send Ms. Zoe home together. We’ll make sure she gets back safely.”

A wave of nausea rose in my stomach. I quickly waved my hand. “No need. My ride is already here, right at the intersection.”

As I turned to leave, Samuel suddenly grabbed my wrist. His grip was tight as if he wanted my parents to see it, or as if he was warning me.

“Sir Bastian and Madam Helena have entrusted you to me,” he said firmly. “I must send you home safely.”

Before I could react, he pulled me forward and pushed me into the back seat.