Chapter 1

Darlene's POV

"What are you thinking about?"

Bernard's voice drifted out from the bathroom, carrying the damp warmth of a fresh shower.

I quickly withdrew my hand and stood up, forcing a smile.

"Nothing. I'm just helping you unpack."

He came out wrapped in a bathrobe, towel-drying his hair. He casually took the suitcase from me, pulling it over to the corner.

"Leave it. I'll sort it out myself later."

His tone was gentle, no different from usual.

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered it.

"Yeah, I've arrived. Alright, send me that proposal tomorrow morning," he said, his tone all business.

After he hung up, I asked casually, "Who was that?"

"The new assistant from the project team. She doesn't really know anything, so she keeps asking questions all day long."

There was a hint of helpless amusement in his voice.

I didn't press further, changing the subject.

"By the way, you still remember about tomorrow evening, right? You promised to go with me to that immersive play. I already got the tickets last month."

"Yup, I remember."

The next afternoon, I was at home sorting out seasonal clothes when the doorbell suddenly rang.

I opened the door to find a short-haired woman standing there.

"Hello, is this Mr. Hoffman's home? I'm his project assistant, Tammy Fleming. There's a document that needs urgent attention."

Bernard came out of the study. He froze for a moment when he saw Tammy.

"What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Wright's team is pushing for the final draft. You weren't answering your phone. I was worried it might hold things up, so I came here."

He stepped aside to let her in. As he passed by me, he said, "Why don't you get her a glass of water?"

His tone was perfectly natural, as if he were instructing a server.

I carried the glass of water over to the study doorway. The two of them were sitting side by side in front of the computer, with less than eight inches between them.

"This formula linkage is wrong, so everything that follows is off."

"Oh my god, how did I not spot that? Mr. Hoffman, you're amazing."

"It's basic stuff. Just be more careful next time."

His tone carried a touch more patience than when he spoke to me.

I set the glass down on the corner of the desk, but Bernard didn't even lift his head.

It was almost 6:00 pm by the time Tammy left.

When she stood at the entrance changing her shoes, she glanced out the window and muttered under her breath, "Ah, it's already dark out."

Bernard leaned against the hallway wall and frowned.

"Where do you live? Is it easy to get a taxi?"

"South side of the city. It's not easy to get a taxi on the weekend."

Bernard turned around and went straight to the shoe cabinet to grab his car keys.

I stood in the middle of the living room.

"Have you forgotten about the play at 7:30 pm tonight?"

His hand paused for a moment. He glanced at Tammy, who still hadn't finished putting on her shoes by the door, then turned his head to look at me.

"I'll just drop her off at the subway station and come right back. It'll take ten minutes, tops. We'll make it in time for the play."

Before I could respond, Tammy turned back to me with a sweet smile.

"Bye, Mrs. Hoffman."

The door closed.

7:30 pm passed, then 8:00 pm.

I sat alone on the couch, the two tickets spread out on the coffee table.

My phone screen was dark, with no messages.

At 8:40 pm, the door lock finally clicked.

Bernard walked in carrying the cold night air with him, along with a faint, almost imperceptible smell of alcohol.

"You're back," he said casually while changing his shoes. "Was the play good?"

He actually thought I had gone by myself.

"I didn't go. The tickets were for two people."

He paused mid-motion. When he looked up at me, a flash of guilt crossed his eyes.

"Sorry. Traffic was bad, and then Tammy said she hadn't eaten yet."

After he had showered and fallen asleep that night, I walked over to the entryway.

His car keys lay on the shoe cabinet, still warm from his hand.

I reached out and touched them. Images immediately flooded into my mind.

His car was parked outside a pub.

Tammy sat in the passenger seat, her head tilted in a smile.

"Mr. Hoffman, let's eat here. The food at this place is really good."

The two of them sat facing each other in the dimly lit pub, a few bottles of beer placed on the table between them.

Tammy took a sip and choked, coughing until tears came out.

Bernard handed her a napkin with a laugh, his tone both helpless and indulgent.

"Don't push it if you can't hold your alcohol."

As she took the napkin, her fingertips brushed the back of his hand. But he didn't pull away.

The images dissolved.

I gently placed the car keys back where they had been.

The living room lights were off. Moonlight spilled in from the balcony, landing on the dusty suitcase sitting on top of the cabinet.

The sound of the zipper was startlingly clear in the darkness.

I felt around in the wardrobe and pulled out a few of my clothes, folding them one by one and stacking them neatly inside the suitcase.

I didn't need to wait for the day Bernard truly fell out of love with me. It was already on its way.