Chapter 4

This was the first time in ten years that I hadn't replied to Kody.

After the wedding, I got into Brody's car.

We looked at each other like two rookies who started the game, and then smiled at each other.

"Where to?"

"Where to?"

We spoke simultaneously, our cheeks flushing slightly.

Brody awkwardly scratched his head, tapping the steering wheel.

He mentioned that his villa on the west coast was vacant and suitable as a... new home.

His implication was clear.

He didn't plan to have a fake marriage with me. There were no eternal secrets in this circle. Such a lie would be exposed sooner or later.

I nodded, exhaling softly, feeling a weight lift from my heart.

"We can gradually add things. If possible, I'd like to move in today," I said.

He looked at me, pleasantly surprised, then broke into a smile.

The car sped off, and even the wind seemed to carry a new scent.

When Kody called again, I was staring absentmindedly at my slippers.

It was a childish pattern, but the cartoon IP I liked when I was a child had long been out of print. I didn't expect Brody to have collected a complete set.

I hadn't expected Brody to collect the entire set, from slippers to pajamas to figurines in the living room. It was overwhelming the moment I stepped in.

In business wars, he never gave his opponent a chance to survive, but who would have thought that he was obsessed with this sweet style?

I couldn't help but tease him, "Lucky it's me who saw this. If someone else did, your image as the cool Mr. Ward would be toast."

He was cooking steaks with his back to me. "You're the first to see it. It was meant for you..."

I was taken aback.

Maybe realizing he had said too much, his shoulders tensed, and he stammered. "You... you should grab a bottle of wine from the cellar first... decant it first."

I hurried out, flustered, cheeks still hot as I answered the phone.

Kody's voice boomed impatiently, "Where are you? Tonya and I arrived at the restaurant, but we didn't even see the table you reserved."

I reacted, and my face turned cold for a moment. "I don't want to dine with her. If you want to go, that's your business."

Kody sensed my displeasure. After a pause, his tone softened. "Still angry? Well, I got tickets for the opera you wanted to see most, and that platinum bag you love."

He coaxed me as if I were a puppy, hoping I'd wag my tail happily at his gestures.

Lowering his voice, as if afraid Tonya would overhear, he continued, "Tonya's really upset about today. If you can't make it, at least comfort her over the phone."

He handed the phone to Tonya, "Clara's so clumsy, she messed up the booking. She's always so scatterbrained."

He said with a teasing tone, quickly shifting the blame onto me.

Tonya's soft voice came through, "Clara, you don't want to see me, do you? I messed up your wedding again, but Kody says he doesn't blame me. You wouldn't be so petty, right?"

My previously calm heart was stirred once more, a bitter feeling rising.

Brody had already set the table, even lighting candles, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand.

He looked at me, mouthing words I understood as, "Clara, our first dinner together as husband and wife."

His stunning eyes were smiling, but for a moment, they gave me the illusion of deep affection.

The gloom dissipated, and I replied stiffly to Tonya, "No, it's not the first time anyway."

She feigned grievance again, "Kody, Clara seems to still be mad at me."

Kody soothed her gently, "How could she be? You're the most important person to me. Clara is my fiancée, she'll care for you just like I do. How could she ever blame you?"

Once, Kody's gentle words were reserved only for me.

But since Tonya's return, everything had changed.

Regaining my composure, I replied seriously, "He is right, you are the most important person to him."

After saying that, I hung up on him for the first time.

Kody never allowed anyone to hang up on him, except for Tonya.