Chapter 2

Justin stood still as Yvie approached him.

She said, "I left in a hurry, so I forgot my key. I would've gone home if you were any tardier."

She even held out a hand to him as if they'd never had a disagreement.

Justin frowned. He had given her a key to the apartment, but she rarely visited.

Now that she was finally here, all he felt was bitterness.

"There's no need," he said, brushing past her. "We're done anyway, so you have no reason to be here."

However, as he took out his key to open the door, he somehow missed the keyhole multiple times. He had no idea why he was nervous, but he was definitely reluctant to admit that he was hopeful she might be regretting her choice.

Why else would she be here when she could be with Ethan right now?

"Are you serious?" Yvie snatched the key from his hand. "It's just a fling. Why are you so hung up on it?"

She paused, remembering the woman she'd seen him with earlier today. "Hmm. I guess I never noticed how childish you were."

Justin closed his eyes. "What I do is none of your business."

Yvie continued fiddling with his key. "What, are you going to start dating her? Or is this just a childish tantrum? Shame. I'd never get upset in case you complain that I wasn't being fair."

Justin, however, had had enough of her torment.

She had cheated on him first, but was still twisting the dagger now.

He just couldn't understand. How could anyone be this savage?

Looking at Yvie sideways, he snarled, "Are you done? Then leave!"

Yvie could see the rage and resentment in his eyes, but she took a step forward.

Doing so didn't diminish her noble yet imposing presence; she was only half a head shorter than him, with her lofty stature and high heels.

Looking him in the eyes fixedly, she said, "Answer me. Do you intend to date that woman?"

Justin felt a lump in his throat, as if a rock was stuck there, but he shot back, "What's the problem? Do you intend to stand witness to our love?"

He knew very well that he was just saying it in anger, but Yvie merely laughed pointedly and returned his key. "You want to marry that badly?"

"Yes," Justin replied without hesitation.

This time, her smile faded. She turned to leave.

"Then I wish you all the best," she said without looking back.

Justin leaned against the wall, watching as she disappeared into the elevator.

The hallway turned silent again. He had no idea how long he had stood there, but his world felt gloomy when he came to his senses.

As he entered the apartment, he saw messages piling up in the family group chat. He didn't need to guess that his parents were already asking about Lisa.

Seeing that Zoe was asking about his impression of Lisa, he simply said she was alright without elaborating.

He didn't want to think about it, and it didn't matter to him. At this point, his parents liked her, and that was good enough for him.

Still, Justin once again lost sleep as night arrived. He went to work the next morning with dark circles under his eyes.

He had just entered his office when a nurse came in, handing him a document folder. "The seminar attendee list has been finalized, Dr. Jones. You're in."

Justin was an oncologist who had gone years without a misdiagnosis, earning himself an excellent reputation among his patients.

He still had a long future ahead of him, and he had prepared a long time for this seminar. An exchange with the elites of his career would help him immensely.

As he flipped through the sheets to confirm the dates, something important quickly came to mind. It was on Yvie's birthday.

His heart swelled with bitterness as he remembered that they had broken up, and that he no longer had to choose between his career and his love life.

-

Justin was on his way to his apartment after work when Zoe called, insisting he return home for dinner.

Upon opening the door, he was surprised to find the house unusually lively. A white-haired middle-aged man sat on the couch.

"Jonesy! Come in. It's been a while since we played chess."

Justin was still searching his mind for who the devil the man was when he saw Lisa's face. Her hair was tied in a simple ponytail, and she wore an apron that accentuated the curve of her hips.

"Welcome back," she smiled at Justin. "Catch your breath. I'll help your mother in the kitchen. Dinner will be ready soon."

As she turned and headed to the kitchen, Justin thought about how many times he had imagined this scene, albeit with a different woman.

Now, Yvie would never meet his parents.

Justin was good-looking and had a good job. Monty couldn't help but like the kid.

However, even as Justin smoothly continued their conversation, his mood worsened. With his and Lisa's parents meeting, everything else would be up to them.

"You're a good kid, Justin," Monty said, gauging him. "Starting a family is best when you're younger. Only then do you have the time to focus on your career. I know my daughter has misbehaved before, so I'd like to ask that you be more understanding."

Justin didn't ask for details, as it would be terribly impolite.

Monty then took two theater tickets from his bag. "They're free from work. I would take Lisa myself, but I'm sure you both would have more to talk about since you're around the same age."

With that, he pressed the tickets into Justin's hand.

While Justin wasn't sure if the tickets were truly free, he knew he couldn't stay silent anymore. "Okay. Thanks, Mr. Singer."

As Lisa stepped out and saw Justin put away the tickets, no one noticed the gloomy flicker in her eyes.

That was when someone knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

"I'll get it."

Lisa gathered her thoughts as she went to the door. When she opened it and saw who it was, she frowned.

Yvie eyed her too before looking into the house.

"Bad timing, I guess?" she said with a hint of amusement.

Everyone was silent. Justin sprang abruptly to his feet, his pupils dilating in shock.

What was Yvie doing here? What did she want?