She Lost Focus of Me in the Crowd

I pushed open the door, and the room was already bustling with noise.

Lydia Payne's colleagues from the law firm filled the living room. Someone was opening a bottle of champagne, their laughter piercing.

Philip stood surrounded, his cheeks slightly flushed as he spoke with a smile.

Lydia was right beside him, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Nathaniel, you're back. Perfect timing—we've been waiting for you. Ms. Payne said we must get to taste your cooking today," Philip called out loudly with an impeccable smile.

He was as sharp-eyed as ever.

Everyone turned to look at me.

Lydia cast a glance in my direction, her brow furrowing imperceptibly.

She walked over and whispered, "What took you so long? Hurry up and get cooking. Philip officially became a citizen of Astoria today, and everyone is happy for him."

I silently took off my jacket and walked into the open-plan kitchen.

The noise from the living room drifted in through the glass door. They talked about the latest merger cases, the new trends in immigration policy, and who would make partner next year.

Every word felt distant from me. For the past five years, my world had been precisely confined to this space of just a few hundred square feet.

As I was chopping vegetables, the living room erupted with the raucous sounds of a game of Truth or Dare.

"Ms. Payne, it's your turn! Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Lydia replied, her voice as steady as ever.

Someone intentionally spoke in a drawn-out manner. "Of everyone here, who would you call your best partner?"

The knife in my hand paused mid-chop.

"Philip, of course," Lydia answered without hesitation. "Over the years, he was the one who worked through the toughest cases and most difficult clients with me."

The living room erupted in cheers.

"I knew it! After working together for so many years, the chemistry between them is unmatched!"

"Put them side by side, and you've got a total power couple. They're evenly matched and stunning together."

"Such a shame Ms. Payne got married so young. Otherwise, she and Philip would be perfect together."

Someone asked in a lowered voice, "Honestly, I've never understood it. What did Ms. Payne see in her husband back then? I heard he's just a photographer. He hasn't even worked since coming here. Instead, he just stays at home all day. Compared to Philip, he's really…"

"Then how did he manage to win Ms. Payne over? Surely not just by cooking?"

The steam from the pot made my eyes sting.

Power couple, perfect match, best partner—each term hit me right in the chest and gave it a hard twist.

What was even more ridiculous was that they all assumed I was Lydia's husband, but our marriage certificate was fake.

The bowl slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor with a crash.

The kitchen door opened, and Lydia walked in with a deep frown.

"What's going on?"

I crouched down to pick up the pieces. A shard cut my fingertip, and blood welled up.

"Just an accident."

She glanced at my hand and said impatiently, "Can't you be more careful? You're embarrassing me in front of my colleagues by being so clumsy."

I looked up at her.