Chapter 2

The day I went back to the office, I submitted an internal transfer request to HR.

The company was putting together a new project team in Luminous City. The person in charge looked through my file, then glanced up at me.

"Yvonne, are you sure?

"Once the project is approved, you'll have to leave within 2 weeks."

I nodded. "I'm sure."

He took the paperwork from me.

"The interview is next Monday. Get yourself ready."

After leaving HR, I went back to my desk and started sorting through my files.

That afternoon, James stopped beside my desk. "What are you doing?"

"Handing over my work."

"What about the livestream setup?" he asked.

"I didn't do it," I said quietly.

His voice dropped. "Yvonne, this isn't the time to be difficult."

I looked up at him. "That is your personal account, not my job."

James seemed caught off guard. His tone softened. "I'm just used to coming to you first."

I smiled.

"Are you used to relying on me, or are you used to having me clean up your messes with Zara?"

He went silent for a moment. Then he set his thermos on my desk.

"Hot tea. Drink it while it's warm. Do not drink it cold."

With that, he turned and walked away.

When I got back to the apartment after work, camera equipment was scattered across the floor. Zara stood in the living room, adjusting a camera lens.

"Yvonne, I'm filming a newlywed experience video. I'm moving in for a few days."

Couples' pillows had already been arranged around the living room.

James came out from the other room.

"It's only 3 days. If we suddenly change locations, the fans will get suspicious."

I said nothing and walked straight into the bedroom.

The closet doors were wide open. My clothes had been stuffed into cardboard boxes and piled in the corner.

Meanwhile, Zara's dresses filled half the closet.

Even the framed photo of James and me that used to sit on the nightstand was gone. In its place was a picture of James and Zara celebrating the day their account passed 1 million followers.

James followed me into the room. "You can sleep in the study for these 3 days."

I picked up one of the boxes. "Who gave you permission to move my things?"

"It's only temporary." He frowned. "Yvonne, do not make this into a bigger deal than it is."

Zara appeared in the doorway and spoke softly. "Maybe I should film at a hotel instead."

James did not hesitate. "No. A hotel will not have the right homey feel."

I crouched down and started gathering the things from my nightstand. A corner of a hospital bag from the OB‑GYN clinic was sticking out from the very back.

Zara spotted it. She reached for it.

"What's this?"

James grabbed it first. He looked down at the bag, and his expression changed.

For a second, I thought he was finally going to ask me what it was. However, Zara suddenly gripped the doorframe, her voice shaky.

"James, my period still hasn't come. Do you think something's wrong?

"Tomorrow's livestream is going to be pretty intense. I'm a little scared."

James immediately turned toward her.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow."

As he spoke, he casually stuffed the hospital bag into Zara's suitcase. As if he had already decided it belonged to her.

I stood there, and suddenly, I did not want to say another word. I picked up my boxes and walked out.

James hurried after me and grabbed my arm. "Where are you going?"

"Moving out."

His fingers tightened around my arm.

"Do not say that.

"Zara's only staying for 3 days."

I pressed the elevator button.

"It's fine. Give her the space."

As the elevator doors slowly closed, James was still standing outside, staring at me.

For the first time, he looked a little panicked.

However, he did not follow me.