Chapter 7

Celine was hospitalized.

Keith didn't go to see her. Instead, he stayed home, occupying himself with reading, watching movies, and packing his bags.

One evening, he received an unexpected call from the butler, Wallace Hinton.

"Mr. Blackwell, could you please come to the hospital and see Mrs. Blackwell? She's having menstrual cramps again. The medication prescribed by the doctor isn't helping much.

"She's in so much pain that she's breaking out in a cold sweat, but she won't let the nurses near her. In the past, only your massages could help ease her pain. We're really at a loss here. Could you please come?"

Keith walked over to the window and looked out at the city, now completely obscured by the rain. Raindrops hammered against the glass, as if they were about to drown the entire world.

He waited until Wallace had finished speaking before calmly replying, "It's raining too heavily, so I won't be going."

There was an obvious pause on the other end of the line. For several seconds, Wallace said nothing, as though he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

"Mr. Blackwell, w-what did you say?" Wallace stammered.

"I said it's raining too heavily outside, and I don't feel like going out. So, I won't be going tonight."

"But Mrs. Blackwell—"

"I'm going to bed," Keith interjected. "Good night."

After hanging up, he turned off his phone. Then, he went to bed, shutting out everything else.

The next day, Celine checked out of the hospital early. She returned to the villa, her face still a little pale.

When she saw Keith sitting on the living room couch reading, her footsteps faltered. Then, she walked over and came to a stop in front of him.

"About last night…" she began, her voice somewhat subdued as she looked at him intently. "Wallace called you, didn't he?"

"Yeah." Keith didn't look up as he turned a page.

"Why didn't you come?" Celine asked, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "In the past, no matter how bad the weather was, you'd come rushing over right away even if I just mentioned offhand that I wasn't feeling well."

Keith paused midway through turning the page and finally looked up at Celine, his gaze calm and even.

"You said it yourself—that was in the past." He looked at her, his voice soft. Yet, his words landed like a small hammer against her heart. "Celine, people change."

Celine parted her lips as if to say something, but no words came out.

It was true. People changed.

Keith had changed. But she had no idea why, or when it had happened.

The realization filled her with a panic she had never known before.

She assumed he was angry and giving her the cold shoulder because she had saved Quinton instead of him when he was injured.

Trying to smooth things over, perhaps also hoping to prove something, Celine said, "Our wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days. Didn't you always say you wanted to celebrate it properly? How about I throw a party this year and invite everyone?"

As she spoke, she watched Keith's reaction closely.

Keith merely looked at her, his expression unchanged.

"Suit yourself."

That word again.

Celine felt a fresh wave of irritation.

Still, she went ahead with the preparations.

She booked the most expensive hotel, hired the best event planner, ordered Keith the most expensive suit, and bought him a pair of the most expensive cufflinks.

On the night of the party, Keith wore the suit she'd chosen and the priceless cufflinks she'd bought. With his arm linked through hers, he walked into the ballroom.

Everyone looked at him with envy.

"Keith's so lucky."

"Mrs. Blackwell treats him so well."

"I heard those cufflinks went for a million dollars at auction."

Keith listened to their comments with a polite smile, but inside, he felt nothing.

Partway through the evening, he stepped out onto the terrace for some fresh air.

He had only been standing there for a short while when he heard footsteps behind him.

It was Quinton.

Keith turned to look at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Celine invited me." Quinton walked over and leaned against the railing beside him. "She said today is your wedding anniversary and wanted me to come witness your happiness."

As he spoke, he smiled. "Keith, are you happy?"

Keith didn't reply.

Quinton sidled up to him. "I know you're not happy. Celine only has me in her heart. You're nothing but a pathetic, ridiculous substitute. Just last night, she was still—"

"Quinton." Keith finally cut him off, his voice eerily calm. "You know what? You're really annoying and pathetic—like a kid throwing a tantrum because he can't get the candy he wants.

"What happens between Celine and me is our business. And you? You're just a loser who's forever stuck in the past and needs to pick fights with others just to prove that you matter. You're not worth wasting any emotion on."