Chapter 4

Hazel’s tone was harsh, but her words were filled with concern.

She dragged Yves to the elevator, grumbling, “You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? I’ll take you for some.”

Ironically, she walked past me and didn’t notice me.

-

During those two days after my handover at work, I worked on my strategy abroad.

Despite living under the same roof as me, Hazel did not notice what had changed with me. Conversely, she went on many dates with Yves under the guise of working overtime.

After getting thousands of his texts ignored by me, Yves, who was trying to provoke me to anger, finally broke down.

[Steve, you’re truly the ultimate cowardly wimp. Do you really not care that Hazel goes on a date with me every day? Are you really a man?]

[Oh yes, let me tell you something. I kissed Hazel today and she wasn’t mad. Do you know what that means? She is your girlfriend by name, but her heart belongs to me!]

I ignored his text as usual and focused on buying things I needed abroad and learning their language.

As for Hazel, she treated me as tenderly as she usually did.

However, I could sense a change in her mood. She smiled more frequently and started to doll herself up more, just like how she did in the past.

I guessed that the misunderstanding between her and Yves had been resolved, and they were in the honeymoon stage of their rekindled relationship.

However, all these had nothing more to do with me.

Very soon, the eve of our wedding day rolled around.

Hazel came back early to be with me, which was a rare occurrence. She wanted to discuss with me the details of the wedding tomorrow, but I was busy reading foreign financial news and very distracted whenever I replied to her.

Hazel finally belatedly realized that something had changed about me.

“What are you reading these for? Are you going on a business trip?”

“We’re never too old to learn.”

My reply was evasive and Hazel wanted to press further, but her phone rang right at that moment. A shy look flickered across her face, and she went into her room to chat with Yves.

The moment day broke the next day, Hazel left the house despite needing to have her makeup done for the wedding.

“Steve, I have something urgent to attend to.

“Go to the wedding venue first and wait for me there. I promise I won’t miss our wedding. I love you.”

I nodded distractedly and dragged my luggage case out and headed straight to the airport after she left the house.

While waiting for my plane, Yves sent me another provocative text.

[Steve, oh, Steve. I’ve seen through you. You’ve been such an ostrich precisely because you’re scared that your wedding today will come to nothing.]

[A pity that a single call for me is enough for Hazel to come running to my side.]

[I’ll come to your wedding today as your groomsman. Don’t thank me—you’ve helped Hazel so much, so you’re practically our benefactor.]

This time, I didn’t ignore his text, which was what I had been doing over the past few days.

For the first time, I typed a few words and sent it to him. [No need for that. I give you two my blessings.]

Yves texted back multiple question marks.

I ignored him once more.

Very soon, when it was time for boarding, Hazel suddenly called me.

“Steve, I’m at the wedding venue. Where are you? I even brought you a groomsman and want to introduce him to you…”

Before I could say a word, shock registered in her voice.

“Steve, what’s going on? Why is Yves’s name indicated as the groom on the banner? Did the wedding planner get mixed up? You…”

“This is my last gift to you, Hazel. Let’s break up.”

With that, I resolutely removed my SIM card, snapped it in two, and threw it into the trash.

I boarded the plane without looking back.