Chapter 3

The piece sitting right in front of me, on the other hand, was nothing more than a cheap promotional gift awarded to those who spent three thousand dollars or more.

There was no display box, no leather care kit, and not even the genuine product’s exclusive tag or certificate of authenticity. Anyone could tell at a single glance that it was a worthless freebie.

“Forget it,” I said, pushing it back toward Stella. “This is far too extravagant. You should save it for someone who truly deserves it.”

Stella froze for a second, clearly caught off guard by my response.

Throughout our five years together, no matter how many arguments we had, I had never acted so cold toward her. In the past, whenever we fought, as long as her tone softened a little, I would automatically yield and make peace with her.

Back then, I always believed that love could weather any storm. Looking back now, I realized I had overestimated this relationship all along.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Daniel?”

Just as Stella was about to stand up and grab my hand, the doorbell rang.

Outside, the rain was pouring. Eric stood in the doorway, soaked to the bone and clutching a paper bag.

“Dr. Sloan, the pipes at my apartment burst, and I have nowhere else to go. Could I crash here for the night?” he begged. “I won’t be any trouble at all. Just any spot to sleep is fine.”

Out of habit, he looked right past me, his eyes locked entirely on Stella. The moment he got a subtle nod of approval from her, he walked straight to the kitchen and pulled out my brand-new mug.

Stella had picked them out for me as a birthday gift last year. I usually couldn’t even bear to use it myself.

“Put that down!” I pointed directly at the mug in Eric’s hand. “That’s mine. Put that down right now!”

“What is wrong with you?”

Stella slapped my pointing hand away and stepped in front of Eric to shield him.

“It’s pouring outside, and his apartment is flooded. Can you stop being so mean? It’s just a mug, not some priceless artifact! What’s the harm in letting him use it for a bit?”

A sharp, throbbing pain shot through my injured arm where she had struck me.

Feigning timidity, Eric put down the mug. “Please don’t be mad, Daniel. It’s my fault for not knowing my place. I’ll put it back right now.”

Though his words sounded meek, he didn’t look hesitant at all. Pointing straight at the master bedroom, he spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Dr. Sloan, I’ll take this room tonight then. My hands are injured so I’m sensitive to the cold, and this room gets the best light.”

As he spoke, he pulled a whole bag of juices and stuffed them into the fridge.

“This batch of juice is fresh off the production line, way better than the last batch. Dr. Sloan, help yourself whenever you want. Don’t be shy.”

Then, he casually walked into the bedroom and pulled the silk duvet over him. His movements were so practiced, as if this place had long been his own home.

I looked up at Stella. “How many times has this happened?”

She dodged my gaze.

“You know I have diabetes, and that’s why we never keep any sugary snacks or drinks in this house. And why does he have free access to our home?”

During every late night when I was working overtime and couldn’t come home…

Stella pinched the bridge of her nose, looking helpless.

“That’s enough, Daniel! Eric is just a kid. What could happen between a kid and me? He just joined the department and isn’t familiar with any of the procedures or equipment. I stayed up all night training him, and by the time it got late, I didn’t feel right making him travel back alone.

“Besides, just because you don’t consume sugar yourself doesn’t mean everyone else has to be banned from it, right? You’re being way too unreasonable!”

I stared at her in utter disbelief.

In the past, when my blood sugar spiked and caused me to pass out, she had held my hand and sworn that from then on, no sugary food would ever enter our home again, and that my health would always come first. Now, she stood by and let Eric fill the entire fridge with bottles of juice.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Stella said.

To smooth things over and lighten the mood, she reached out to place a comforting hand on my shoulder, but I shifted aside, avoiding her touch completely.

“Stella, let’s break up.”