Chapter 4

The food was brought out and served on the table.

Roasted seasonal vegetables, soup, roasted chicken with herb gravy, and barbecue ribs—it was quite the feast.

Amelia stood up, took Grandma’s bowl, and filled it with soup.

“Grandma, here’s a roasted chicken, just the way you like it.”

Next, she used her fork to place a barbecue rib on Austin’s plate.

“Don’t eat too much. The doctor said you need to limit your meat intake.”

When it came to my turn, she didn’t seem to know what to say. After a brief pause, she simply dropped a serving of green vegetables into my bowl.

Austin teased with a warm smile, “Does Nicholas like eating vegetables?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” Amelia replied. “He’s not a picky eater. He’ll eat anything.”

Except I didn’t like vegetables.

Alessia pulled Amelia down to sit beside her and placed a barbecue rib on her plate.

“Stop serving everyone else and sit down to eat, honey.”

“Alessia,” Austin interjected. “She just finished cooking, so she won’t feel like eating meat right now—it makes her feel too greasy.”

“Oh? Then what should she do?”

“She’s just like that for a bit. A bowl of soup will help settle her stomach.”

As he spoke, a bowl of soup was pushed right in front of Amelia.

In three years, she had come to know Austin inside and out.

And Austin knew her just as deeply.

I felt like a complete outsider.

I never even knew Amelia could cook.

Nor did I know that after cooking, she had a habit of drinking a bowl of soup.

She had clearly come back home.

Yet she felt farther away from me than ever.

Once everyone was full, I went into the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Austin cleared the table and followed me inside with the leftover plates and bowls.

“Nicholas.”

“Is there something you need?”

“That court announcement... I saw it.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I just wanted to say that you’ve misunderstood Amelia. If I hadn’t been sick, she wouldn’t have…”

“Wouldn’t have what?”

“Either way, we’re not what you think we are.”

“Then what are you?”

“We’re just friends.”

“If you’re her friend, why didn’t you tell her about the court announcement?”

Austin froze for a second, avoiding my eyes.

“I... I was sick. I needed her.”

“I saw your vlogs,” I said calmly. “Let me ask you—if you were in my shoes, what would you think? Friends? A couple? Or husband and wife?”

“We’re really not what you think. She has never done anything to betray you—not even once.”

“And living like that doesn’t count as betrayal?”

“Regardless, we’re just friends.”

He turned around to leave, but his steps suddenly faltered.

“The soil Amelia asked me to bring for you—I brought it. Whether you use it or not is up to you.”

Soon, the sound of laughing and chatting floated in from the living room.

I wiped my hands dry and walked out onto the balcony.

The small flower sapling was still lying on the floor.

Beside it sat a small bag of potting soil.

Yet both the sapling and the soil belonged to Austin.

Only the flowerpot belonged to me.

She had only been back for two short days, yet this apartment was already filled with traces of Austin’s presence.

I walked back out and sat in a quiet corner of the living room.

Gradually, the sound of laughter faded away.

Amelia stood up, holding Austin’s bag in her hand.

“Let’s go. I’ll drop you back home.”

She turned around to look at me. “I’ll leave Grandma in your care.”

“Why are you the one dropping Austin off instead of me?”

“Don’t you dislike him?”

So she knew all along.

I smiled faintly and simply said, “Okay.”

On the drive over, Alessia remained quiet.

As we neared the nursing home, she suddenly broke the silence.

“When Austin left back then, it was only because he didn’t want to drag Amelia down with him. Otherwise, it never would have been your turn.”

My hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“I know.”

“Now that Amelia is back, you two should settle down and live a proper life together.”

I didn’t answer her, remaining completely silent.

When we arrived at the nursing home, a nurse stepped forward to help Alessia back to her room.

I turned around and walked over to the nursing station.

“Mr. Bennett, is there something you need us to take note of?”

“Please change Alessia’s emergency contact number.”

“Of course. Who should we change it to?”

“Amelia Rose Whitmore. She’s her granddaughter.”

The nurse put down her pen. “Alright, it’s been updated.”