Chapter 3

The next morning, Orson prepared breakfast.

His eyes remained fixed on Maude, trying to read her expression. "Honey, last night was unbearable without you. Just 13 more days, and then I can finally marry you."

"You're right. 13 more days," Maude echoed, her gaze cold and unreadable.

"Orson, can you pass me some ravioli?" Imogen asked.

As Orson picked one up with his fork, Imogen leaned in and ate it straight from his hand.

He shot a glance at Maude. "Don't mind her. She's just playful like that."

Orson had always kept strict boundaries with other women, careful to avoid hurting Maude.

However, with Imogen, those boundaries seemed to vanish entirely.

"It's fine," Maude said, keeping her eyes down.

Orson was caught off guard.

"Honey, you—"

"Maude, do you even know what Orson used to be like?" Imogen cut in, her voice laced with defiance.

"He was a tough, stubborn guy, but he always listened to me. Whatever I wanted to eat, he learned to make it. He even remembered my menstrual cycle and planned surprises for me…"

Maude listened in silence, her throat tightening.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

The very things she had once admired in Orson were proof of how deeply he had loved Imogen.

"Immy, cut it out."

Orson's protest sounded half-hearted, his tone more yielding than commanding.

Maude's appetite vanished completely.

She stood up and went to her room to grab some documents.

When she returned, Orson was holding her phone.

"Someone from HR called," he said. "They want to know when you'll bring the handover documents. Didn't you already take time off for the wedding? What's left to hand over?"

Maude had used all her annual leave to secure a month-long break for the wedding.

"There were a few things I missed. I need to go in for a bit."

Orson didn't think much of it. "It's raining out. I'll come with you."

Maude held the folder close to her chest, her visa papers tucked safely inside.

It didn't matter whether he found out now or later. She never intended to hide it from him anyway.

The car ride passed in silence.

When they arrived at the office building, Orson opened an umbrella and walked Maude to the entrance.

His eyes stayed fixed on his phone as he replied to messages, his attention far away.

Still, he held the umbrella mostly over her, protecting her from the rain like he always had.

It turned out some acts of kindness were nothing more than mere performance.

Maude's gaze hardened as she watched him.

"Just hold on a little longer, Orson. This charade will end soon," she thought.

From the front doors, someone from HR stepped out to meet her.

"Maude, your visa documents for the overseas assignment…"