Chapter 3

Martin was the first to react. The Singers were here, but why was this young woman showing up now? He grew even more worried after seeing Justin's strange reaction.

"Is that your friend, Justin?" he asked, deliberately trying to put Monty's mind at ease.

After all, he had sworn to Monty Singer that his son was not a cheater and had never fooled around with other women.

As Lisa turned to look at Justin, it seemed she had picked up on their relationship.

Still, she asked, "Justin, why didn't you tell me? We should have bought more food together."

Somehow, "together" seemed to sting Yvie's ears. She smiled faintly at Justin. "Are you going to make me stand here forever?"

Justin's heart pounded. He had told Lisa just yesterday that he didn't know who Yvie was, but now she had shown up at his parents' house.

Still, he stiffly moved aside. "Come in."

Yvie strode in, her heels clicking with every step. She didn't even glance Lisa's way as she passed her.

Lisa watched her, however, and the glint of Yvie's pearl earrings burned her eyes.

She recognized them as the latest design from a famous brand and knew their price ran to more zeros than she cared to count.

She also didn't forget that Yvie drove a Bugatti to pick up Ethan. She had thought nothing of it when Justin told her they had never met.

Now that Yvie was here, how long would he keep up that lie?

Justin led Yvie to the couch. He stiffly held the jar as he poured her a glass of water, feeling her eyes glued to him but not daring to look at her.

Before she came, he was sure that Monty and his father would discuss an engagement between him and Lisa after dinner.

But now, Yvie had shown up after saying they would never meet again.

As Justin felt his brain turn to mush, Monty asked, "Jonesy, is she..."

Yvie's lips curled up ever so faintly. She was genuinely curious how Justin would respond.

As Justin lowered his gaze, he could only murmur, "She's... Uh..."

"I'm Yvie Rosberg," Yvie said, cutting him short. "A close friend of mine was Dr. Jones' patient, and I was asked to convey her thanks. Apologies for the poor timing. Do you mind if I join you?"

"I see!"

Monty and Martin's suspicions quickly evaporated.

Martin even gave Justin a glance toward the kitchen. "Go tell your mom to cook more food. Don't let our guest leave hungry when she's traveled all the way here."

Justin felt like he could finally breathe again and promptly fled to the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?" Zoe stopped him. "We don't need your help here. Just go chat with Lisa's dad. I'll talk to Martin later."

Justin knew what she meant, but having Yvie right outside, listening to them plan his marriage with Lisa, stressed him out.

"Mom, I just..."

Whoosh!

He trailed off as the kitchen door suddenly opened. Zoe craned her neck to look behind him.

"What?" she blurted in confusion. Then, more softly, "Who's this? When did she come here?"

Justin stiffened as he answered, "A patient's friend, here to send her thanks."

"Oh!" Zoe immediately smiled at Yvie. "Sorry, but it's a little smoky in here. Why don't you wait outside?"

"Sorry, but I need the bathroom," Yvie lied flawlessly. "Where is it?"

"Justin can take you," Zoe replied, pushing Justin outside. "Go, she's your guest."

Justin suddenly found himself staring at Yvie again, who was smiling vaguely at him. He frowned but said nothing as he led her to the bathroom.

As he opened the door, he held it like a sentry, beckoning her to go in.

Yvie did so.

Justin was about to close the door for her when she reached out. He promptly held the door open again, careful not to catch her, while she, confident he wouldn't, grabbed his wrist.

Startled, Justin hissed, "Yvie!"

Yvie poked her head out, her smile curling up coquettishly. "Get in here if you don't want them to notice."

Justin felt like his head could explode. "Can you stop messing with me? We've already broken up!"

Even though he had repeatedly told her it was over between them, Yvie seemed not to notice. "Are you really staying out? Someone's coming."

As Justin turned to check, she pulled, dragging him inside and quickly locking the door.

Justin's breaths grew heavy immediately. They were suddenly stuck in a small, locked room, and he felt his back press against the wall.

As he fought back his flaring emotions, he said, "Whatever you want to say, say it now. I don't want to drag this out."

"Shush," she hissed, pressing her index finger to his lips. "It's strange, but I couldn't sleep well last night. I missed you a little when I woke up."

Justin's heart seemed to stop at that very moment. He had never heard her say she missed him in the three years they dated.

His arms were open but hovering in the air, as if to embrace her but he was afraid to.

Yvie stepped closer, resting her head on his shoulder while her soft voice tugged on his heartstrings. "Don't marry that woman."

"Then let's marry," he said, gulping.

And suddenly, she was silent.

They could hear voices outside in the living room.

Justin stayed there, not moving as she leaned on him.

As he never had her approval, he had only told his parents he had a girlfriend, but not who it was.

There were countless times he imagined her coming to his place as his future wife, but not like this. Not only did she lie, but he also had to cover for her. And now, she even dragged him into the bathroom for God-knows-what.

Closing his eyes, he steeled himself and pushed her away.

"Go home. And let's never meet again."

He couldn't handle her endless pranks. His heart wasn't made of stone, and it hurt no matter how tough he was.

However, as Yvie looked up, Justin saw something in her eyes he couldn't quite make out.

Before she could speak, Lisa called from outside, "Where are you, Justin?"

Justin hissed at Yvie, "If you want to stay for dinner, fine. But it's over between us, and I'm not entertaining your antics anymore."

With those words, he opened the door and left.

As Yvie looked on, the door seemed to take a long time to close.

Crack.

She couldn't tell if it was the sound of the door closing, or something else breaking.

She simply stood there in silence, listening as Lisa said, "Your mother said dinner's ready. Shall we help her take it out to the table?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm... And did you see Ms. Rosberg anywhere?"

"Doesn't matter. Let's go help my mom."