Chapter 4

At the stairwell, Evelyn saw Mason gripping Anna’s wrist, the anger on his face still lingering.

“Anna, did you deliberately sabotage my ten-year anniversary with Evelyn? I gave you countless instructions about the restaurant setup and even specifically reminded you that Evelyn is allergic to chestnuts. And what did you do?

“Not only did you make a complete mess of the decorations, you even ordered a chestnut cake. Do you realize that just for these mistakes alone, I could dismiss you immediately?”

Anna stumbled under the force of his grip, nearly losing her footing.

She shook his hand off and looked up at him, her eyes red.

“Yes! I did it on purpose!

“You expected me to personally plan an anniversary celebration for the man I love and another woman. Even if you fire me, I still couldn’t bring myself to do that!”

Seeing the tears gathering in her eyes, Mason’s anger quickly cooled, though his voice remained stern as he reprimanded her.

“That’s part of your duty as my aide. Besides, you already know that the person I love is Evelyn. You should have expected that you’d eventually have to watch the two of us together. You brought this on yourself.”

Anna’s voice broke.

“Yes, I brought it on myself. I chose to fall in love with you. I chose to give up my own dreams to enroll in the military academy with you. Even after graduation, I still couldn’t let go and insisted on staying by your side.

“I know you don’t love me. But Evelyn gave you up for the sake of her future, while I gave up my own future for you.

“I love you more than she does. Why can’t you give me just a little of the love you give her, even just a little…”

For a moment, Mason’s resolve wavered.

But the next second, he turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.

“Evelyn and I have been together since childhood. We’ve shared more than twenty years together. She’s the only one I love.”

It was unclear whether he was warning Anna or reminding himself.

Anna let out a bitter smile, endless sorrow in her eyes as she looked at him.

“I really envy Evelyn. She gets to have your love.

“And me? On my birthday, I can only stand here and watch you celebrate your ten-year anniversary with her. It feels like a knife twisting in my heart.”

“Today is your birthday?” Mason paused in surprise.

Looking at the pain written across Anna’s face, he spoke stiffly, “Fine. I can grant you one wish. After all, you’re still my subordinate.”

“I want a kiss. May I?”

A sudden spark lit up in Anna’s eyes. She bit her lip and looked at him cautiously.

Mason fell silent, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Seeing that Mason didn’t respond, Anna cautiously rose onto her toes and slowly leaned closer to his face.

Mason’s body stiffened.

Instinctively, he lifted his hand, but a few seconds later, he slowly lowered it again.

Seeing this, Anna broke into a genuine smile and lightly pressed a fleeting kiss to the corner of his lips.

Just as her lips were about to pull away, Mason’s hand clasped the back of her head, and he captured her red lips in a forceful kiss.

Anna quickly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck and returning the kiss.

Even though Evelyn had already decided to let go of the more than twenty years she had shared with Mason, the scene before her still struck her heart like a heavy hammer.

The color drained from her face, and she nearly lost her balance.

So, this was what it felt like to watch the man she loved intimately kissing another woman.

Evelyn forced herself to watch the two of them lost in their kiss, letting the pain in her chest spread through her entire body.

If it hurt enough, eventually it would stop hurting.