Chapter 3

When we arrived at Bianca’s family home, her mother, Jenny Milas, was already outside, eagerly waiting for our arrival.

Derek got out and rushed over to her, all smiles and flattery.

“Mrs. Milas, it’s windy out here. You didn’t have to come all the way out here. Please, get inside.”

Jenny smiled warmly and responded, “I was waiting for you. I felt bad making you work for Bianca.

“She’s a peculiar one.”

He glanced at her and blushed as he said, “She’s wonderful.”

The two of them turned to head inside.

After walking about sixteen feet, Jenny remembered something and looked back.

Her gaze toward me had grown noticeably more distant.

“Oh, Benedict, you came as well. Come in. Don’t let the cold get you,” she said briefly.

Bianca walked up beside me, lowered her gaze, and frowned.

“Are you upset about something?”

“No.”

I only felt relief.

She pursed her lips and said, “If your work isn’t going well, leave it at the door. I don’t want to live with someone who mopes around all day.”

My hands, hanging at my sides, clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.

How absurd of me to think that she might have noticed or cared that I was not being myself.

I stopped walking. The warmth in my gaze toward her faded, replaced by calm.

“I feel how I feel, and I’ll act how I act. If it bothers you, that’s your problem.

“I’m not your butler on standby to cater to your every whim.”

She pursed her lips and was visibly mad.

“Benedict, you’re a grown man. We’re about to get married. I prefer a husband who can keep his emotions in check.”

I scoffed.

“Who do you think meets your standards?”

She pondered seriously for a moment, but I already knew the answer she had in her mind.

“Whoever that person might be, the one I’m marrying is still you.

“You know, you could learn a thing or two from Derek. He handles his feelings really well. Do you see what I mean?”

I stared at her for a couple of seconds, then smiled.

“Of course.”

When we reached the dining room, Jenny made sure Bianca and Derek sat by her sides.

I simply took another seat without saying a word.

After I sat down, I noticed that not a single dish on the table was to my liking.

Jenny laughed wholeheartedly as she chatted with the two beside her as she constantly piled food onto Derek’s plate.

“Look how thin you are.

“I know you worked hard, but you still have to take care of your health. Bianca had me prepare all your favorites.”

Derek smiled sheepishly.

“Thank you, Mrs. Milas.”

She paused for a second before glancing at me awkwardly and forcing a smile.

“Benedict, I don’t know what you like, so just make do.

“Next time, just tell me what you like ahead of time, and I’ll have someone to prepare it.

“I mean, you don’t really have any particular preferences anyway.

“Unlike Derek, who’s crazy for anything sweet and tangy. You know, like barbecue ribs, honey-glazed ham, all that.”

I stared blankly at the barbecue sauce on my plate, which I was allergic to, for a long moment.

Bianca and I had been together for five years, yet Jenny had no idea of my likes and dislikes.

She knew Derek’s preferences by heart, and every word she said felt like a slap in the face.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It was Mark. He had sent details of my flight.

From the flight details, it said that my departure time would be 8 a.m. the next day.

I felt a sense of relief.

I did not touch my food throughout the meal, and Bianca did not even notice.

Feeling like a bystander, I quietly watched how well the three of them got along.

I did not belong there. Nor did I want to.