Chapter 2

Reuben had been living abroad for years, and his sudden return had come as a surprise. Word was that he had broken up with his longtime girlfriend.

Back then, he defied his family for her. However, the gap between their social standings had been too wide, and their relationship eventually came to nothing.

His return was so sudden that he had not even had time to get the essentials for his new place.

When Melissa heard about his situation, she immediately took Luke along to help him get settled.

Luke had no desire to go, but his resignation was still being processed. Melissa was still his boss and he had no legitimate reason to refuse.

Fortunately, he had already decided to move on. No matter how much he witnessed her fussing over Reuben, it would not stir a thing in his heart anymore.

While they were on the way there, Melissa kept reminding him to be attentive and thorough, telling him to speak up whenever he noticed something missing.

Luke simply nodded in silence and got to work, running back and forth to take care of everything.

After they finished shopping, he trailed wearily behind the two of them, listening as they reminisced about the past.

“Melissa, do you remember how you used to have my favorite cake flown in from Europe every year for my birthday? I haven’t had anyone send me a birthday cake in ages. Not since I moved abroad.”

A cake flown in from Europe?

Luke received one of those cakes, too. He had been over the moon about it back then, though he never understood why she had gone to so much trouble.

Now he knew. It had been for Reuben’s birthday.

“Whenever we went out together, you’d always take me to that little snack shop and let me eat to my heart’s content. It’s been so many years. I wonder if it’s still open.”

‘It is,’ Luke answered silently in his heart. He had gone there with Melissa just two months ago.

Their Black Forest cake was delicious. She always ordered two slices.

Perhaps that was because Reuben liked it, too.

The three of them walked along, one behind the other. Every time the childhood sweethearts brought up another shared memory, Luke found a similar one buried in his own.

That was when he realised that every bit of care Melissa had ever shown him had merely been her way of reliving her memories of Reuben.

He watched the two of them walking side by side, his expression calm and unreadable as he went about his work.

After half a day of shopping, the once-empty apartment was soon fully furnished. Everything Reuben needed for daily life, from food and clothing to household essentials and entertainment, had been taken care of.

Reuben seemed pleased with how efficiently Luke had handled everything. He looked at him with genuine appreciation.

“I’ve been so busy catching up with Melissa that I completely forgot to ask. Who is this?”

Luke was just about to answer when Melissa cut in.

“He’s the son of the Dawn family’s housekeeper. She worked for our family for years and always kept her son by her side. She passed away a few years ago, and he had no other family to turn to, so he stayed at the old residence. He’s one of my assistants now.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Reuben’s eyes before his expression quickly returned to normal.

“You’ve always been kind, Melissa. You still look out for people from your past.”

Melissa held his gaze, her tone carrying an unmistakable hint of meaning.

“That’s right. I don’t just hold on to old memories. I still hold on to the people from my past too, especially you, Reuben.”

Reuben was momentarily startled by her words, but did not respond.

Luke quietly took in their exchange before lowering his gaze.

Melissa was in love with a man who had been away for more than a decade, yet even after all these years, her feelings had not changed. She really did know how to hold on to someone from her past.

As they passed a greenhouse, Luke reached out and straightened a flower stem that had drooped to one side.

At that moment, Reuben happened to turn his head. His gaze landed on the ring on Luke’s hand, and he changed the subject.

“Mr. Taylor, I’ve seen that ring before. It looks pretty expensive. I guess being Melissa’s assistant pays quite well.”

Luke followed his gaze down to his own hand.

The wedding band gleamed in the light, and for a moment, he found himself lost in thought.

Giselle had given him the ring before leaving the country. She told him that although the wedding had been postponed, certain traditions should not be skipped.

He knew next to nothing about jewelry and had assumed she had simply picked up something in a hurry to fulfill the formality.

Was it really that expensive?

Melissa glanced at the ring, too, her brows drawing together almost imperceptibly.

Noticing the bewildered look on Luke’s face, Reuben kindly pointed out, “It’s a beautiful ring, but you’re wearing it on the wrong finger. The ring finger is reserved for wedding bands.”

Luke shook his head and smiled. “I’m wearing it on the right finger. It’s my wedding ring.”

“Your wedding ring? You’re married?”

Reuben looked genuinely surprised. Luke gave a small nod.

“Yeah. Just a couple of days ago.”

Melissa’s expression darkened instantly.

She stared at Luke for a long moment, as though she wanted to say something. However, in the end, she held her tongue.