Chapter 2

"No. Bun needs you. There's no need to change our arrangements just because he's throwing a tantrum."

Bun jumped out of William's arms, sauntered past me, and settled at Seren's feet.

She bent down and gently stroked his head.

Three years ago, I saw an orange tabby that had been surrendered at a pet store.

I brought up the idea of adopting him with Seren three times, but she refused every time.

I thought that was a boundary she wouldn't compromise on.

Now, I realized that some boundaries only applied to certain people.

I took the necklace I bought her out of my pocket and set it on the island.

Today was our third anniversary.

I'd come early because I wanted to surprise her.

William glanced at the box and suddenly smiled. "That looks familiar. Don't you already have one, Seren?"

Seren opened the box and took a look.

"Yeah," she said. "You gave me something similar last month."

William looked at me apologetically.

"Oh, my bad. I thought she would've told you."

Seren closed the box and pushed it back to me.

"Just return it. There's no need to waste money."

I asked her, "Do you know what day it is today?"

She glanced at her watch.

"It's Thursday."

William's phone suddenly rang.

After taking the call, he looked troubled.

"The vet says Bun is due for his booster shot, but I have plans tonight."

Seren picked up her car keys.

"I'll go with you."

She was already at the front door before she finally turned to look at me.

"You should head home too. Next time, wait for me to confirm before coming over."

I didn't take the necklace box.

Instead, I asked, "Seren, am I really not allowed to come and go freely as your boyfriend?"

She was silent for two seconds.

"Don't test me."

The door closed in my face.

…

The next afternoon, Seren sent me a message.

"I admit my attitude last night was unpleasant, but you were also wrong to show up unannounced. Let's both reflect on ourselves and put this behind us."

I stared at the message for a long time before replying with a simple, "Okay."

She quickly sent me an address.

"The department is having dinner tonight. Haven't you always wanted to meet my coworkers? Be here at six."

For the past three years, she had never once brought me to a work gathering.

I thought our argument yesterday finally made her reconsider.

After work, I went home specifically to freshen up.

When I arrived at the restaurant, the private dining room was already full.

There was an empty seat beside Seren.

Just as I was about to walk over, William came in carrying a cake. He chuckled, "Sorry I'm late! It took longer than expected to get Bun's medication sorted out."

Someone immediately called out to him.

"The husband is here! We saved your seat."

William gave an embarrassed laugh. "Don't say that. Mr. Leed is right here."

The room fell silent for a moment.

A dozen pairs of eyes turned toward me.

Seren didn't bother to explain anything and simply pulled out the chair beside her for William.

"Sit," she said.

I stood beside the table, staring at the seat that I assumed had been saved for me.

One of her colleagues hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"Sit here, Mr. Leed. You can get to know Mr. Quill too. Ms. Grant mentioned that our companies are working together."

I sat at the foot of the table.

So, Seren didn't invite me to acknowledge our relationship.

She invited me because our companies were jointly bidding on a project, and she wanted me to meet the lawyer handling the contract review.

Once dinner officially began, the conversation naturally revolved around the project.

Seren kept her head down as she ate, occasionally turning to respond to something William said.

Almost none of the food in front of me was safe to eat.

Most of the dishes contained traces of nuts, which I was deathly allergic to.

William had chosen the restaurant.

During my first year with Seren, I ended up in the hospital after accidentally eating some peanut butter.

Seren had stayed by my side until dawn and even saved my allergens on her phone.

I thought she'd at least remember something like that.

Instead, she merely glanced up at me.

"Why aren't you eating?"