Chapter 1

On my birthday, I was busy making preparations. I decorated my house and made dinner.

Then, I waited until all the dishes went cold. That was when I received a text message from Zac Hilton: I’m on a business trip. Don’t wait for me. You should go to bed first.

Then, I saw his girl best friend, Faye Smith, posted a social media post.

In the photo, Zac had his sleeves rolled up. He wore an apron as he was making dinner in the kitchen.

She added the caption: I hope this moment will last forever.

I suddenly became vapid. I liked her post and reheated my dinner before eating.

Throughout dinner, my phone kept ringing, but I ignored it.

I only picked up my phone after I finished the meal. There were a dozen missed calls from Zac.

Finally, he sent a voice message to me.

[Piper, I’ll explain to you when I return. Don’t overthink it. There are so many future birthdays that we can spend together.]

I did not reply to him. I had only one thought to myself.

“Will there be a future for us?”

Chapter 1

Zac Hilton only arrived home three days later.

When he walked into the house, I was lying on the couch watching television.

He exclaimed, “Did you not see my text messages?!”

I did not even look at him. “I did, but I was busy. I forgot about it the moment I received it.”

He had an incredulous expression.

It was not surprising for him to react that way. In the past, whenever I received his text messages, I would be happily waiting for him downstairs, half an hour before he arrived.

He was quiet for a while before saying, “I haven’t eaten anything today. You can just make something for me.”

He was a very picky eater. He disliked packed food on trains. Whenever he came back from his business trips, I would cook for him to satisfy his cravings.

My show had just ended. I looked up at him and pointed at the delivery flyers on the table.

“I saw these in our mailbox previously. It seems like there are some opening discounts.”

Zac looked unhappy. “I’m really hungry now. Even if you’re mad at me, you should cook.”

I looked at him, puzzled. “Can’t you order delivery? Besides, I’m not angry.”

Of course he did not believe me.

He continued to mutter, “Faye’s all alone in a different city. I’m only taking care of her as a friend.”

“Sure.”

He rubbed his forehead and said tiredly, “Enough, I really don’t have that much time on hand to cheer you up.”

I sighed. “If you’re tired, you should just rest. I’m not expecting you to cheer me up.”

He was at a loss for words. His breathing started to become heavier.

I knew he was angry.

After a while, he took out a gift box from his luggage and tossed it at me.

He snorted. “Your birthday present. This should be enough.”

I simply placed it on the coffee table. “Thank you.”

He was stunned, then his face fell. “Is that all?”

I was dumbfounded. Then, I immediately remembered that we had a promise in the past. Regardless of whose birthday it was, we had to prepare presents for each other.

“Oh, sorry. I was too engrossed in the film. I’ve forgotten about it.”

I was a little embarrassed. “I’ll make it up to you later. Why don’t I transfer you the money?”

He glared at me intently. I felt a little awkward, and immediately transferred him the money for the present.

Then, I looked at my watch and went to my bedroom to put on a jacket.

He was stunned when I walked into the living room.

“Are you going out? You put on makeup earlier because you’re heading out? Not because you’re welcoming me?”

I stared at him, puzzled. “Didn’t you say that it’s a waste of time for me to put on makeup at home? Why would I do that to welcome you?”

I ignored his stunned expression and opened the door.

Chapter 2

“Where are you going?”

He rushed forward and stopped me.

“I’m meeting Sophia and the gang.”

I ignored his dark expression and immediately left home.

Zac did not like my best friends, who were loud. He felt that it was inappropriate for us to always meet in bars, and he often requested for me to cut down my contact with them.

Naturally, I would not abandon my friends for him. However, in the past, in order to prevent any fights, I would try to avoid telling him whenever I met up with my friends. I would also return home earlier.

I never really got to enjoy myself to the fullest every time we gathered.

Finally, I no longer had to care about what he thought.

After Sophia Reid and the others heard my plans, they exchanged glances in surprise. It seemed like they did not believe me.

After all, they knew how much I loved Zac in the past.

However, after I saw the light, I suddenly felt like it was such an idiotic move to lose myself over a man.

Why had I not realized that sooner? I sighed.

I stayed out late with Sophia and the rest. I even posted photos on my social media account.

It was already three in the morning when I reached home.

When I opened the door, I saw Zac sitting on the couch. He looked furious.

When he saw me, he asked coldly, “Piper, why are you throwing a tantrum from your jealousy like a young girl? Just because you’re unhappy, you came home this late.

“Do you think this is good behavior?”

I felt my eyes shutting from sleepiness. I did not have the energy to talk to him. I walked past him and wanted to enter the bedroom.

He stood up and stopped me.

“Enough, what happened between Faye and I was in the past. There will be nothing between us anymore. You don’t have to be angry over this.

“Besides, I don’t like you coming home this late. Don’t do this again.”

I yawned.

“You’re thinking too much. I’m not jealous, and I’m not throwing a tantrum. Anyway, I won’t follow your curfew in the future.”

He looked angry.

“Enough! You need to know when to stop your tantrum. I’m not your father, so I won’t forgive you unconditionally.”

I was too tired to say anything, and I just wanted to head to my bed to sleep.

He thought I had given in to his request. He sighed and moved in to hug me.

I took a step back and avoided his outstretched arms. Then, with the very last bit of energy I had, I quickly rushed into the bedroom and locked the door.

Before I fell asleep, I was still thinking if I should sleep in the guest room if I wanted to separate from him. He could have the master bedroom.

However, I did not even manage to refute my own thoughts when I fell deeply asleep.

It had been a long time since I had such a good sleep. I did not even dream.

When I freshened myself up in the morning, Zac walked out from another bedroom.

He walked past me with a stern expression, as if I was thin air.

However, I was no longer fearfully begging and asking him while holding his hands. Instead, I focused on my own tasks on hand.

When I was about to head into the kitchen, I heard the sound of the front door slamming.

Even though our door was pretty solid, he should not be this violent.

I made myself a simple breakfast and went to the office after eating.

When I reached the office building, I quickly went to my superior, Janet Dunne’s office. Just when I was about to knock on her door, I heard her saying, “Piper, you’re early today!”

I turned around to face Janet.

It turned out that I had been way too early. Janet had not started working yet.

After entering her office, I told her that I was willing to go on the work assignment.

I had such a chance previously, and Janet had advised me to think about my future. However, I had rejected it because I did not want to be away from Zac.

Chapter 3

Janet was very happy that I had accepted the offer. She asked in concern, “Is your boyfriend alright with that?”

I shook my head. “I’m breaking up with him.”

Fortunately, due to what happened between Faye Smith and him, I had finally come to my senses.

From today onwards, I would focus on my handover before I go on my overseas work assignment.

I was busy the whole day. When I left the office, it was already late at night.

I thought for a while before deciding to eat out before heading home.

When I reached home, I saw Zac holding a bouquet of flowers in his right hand. He was holding his phone with his left hand as he chatted.

“Yes, it’s rare for you to be here. Of course I’m going to do my best to welcome you. Don’t worry, you’ll be satisfied with my arrangement.

“You should order first, I’ll head out soon.”

Oh, it was Faye’s birthday.

He smiled lovingly.

He had never smiled like that to me.

He always treated me very indifferently. Even his smiles were faint when they were directed to me. I had once expressed my dissatisfaction, but he had calmly said that he did not like to show his emotions.

It seemed like he was just unwilling to show his emotions to me.

After he ended the call, the smile lingered on his face. However, when he saw me, his smile immediately disappeared.

He coldly walked past me with the bouquet of flowers. He wanted to punish me by giving me the cold shoulder.

However, he did not know that I was done reacting to his indifference.

I got food delivered to me. After I had dinner, I resumed reading a foreign language practice book that I had abandoned for a while.

Even though I knew the language, I had not used it for a long time. I wanted to revise it.

I was a little tired from revising, so I went onto social media. As expected, I saw a new post from Faye.

[I thank God for bringing you into my life.]

Underneath her post, many of Zac’s friends commented their support and blessings.

They all supported him to be with Faye. They disliked me very much. Even though they never said it out loud, they would try to antagonize me whenever they could.

I had once complained about it to Zac. However, he had simply said, “Then, you have to work harder to gain their approval.”

I refreshed the post and saw that Zac had commented as well. However, he just commented a smiling emoji.

Suddenly, someone tagged me. It was one of Zac’s friends.

[To preempt you so you won’t argue with Zac later. We’re all here. It’s a normal gathering.]

I found that hilarious and gave him a thumbs up reaction. Then, I tossed my phone aside, freshened up and went to bed.

At midnight, I woke up to the sudden bright light.

I opened my eyes and saw Zac staring directly at me.

He immediately went on a tangent.

“You’re so trusting. I spent the entire night outside, and you didn’t bother to even text me!

“My other friends’ girlfriends were all checking up on him, and I was the only fool who sat there without anyone contacting me!”

I had been abruptly woken up from my good sleep, so I was annoyed. I snapped back at him.

“You’re an adult. Why would I worry if you’re just hanging out with friends? I trust you. It’s late, go and get some rest.”

In the past, if he met up with Faye, I would usually throw a huge tantrum. Even if I felt forced to agree, I would always call and text him during his gathering.

Zac would lash out at me.

“This is our friends’ gathering. What does it have to do with you? I’m telling you, Piper, give me some personal space!”

Chapter 4

He was stunned. Three seconds later, he stopped me from lying down. “Let’s talk.”

I looked at him, speechless.

He took a deep breath.

“That post is to commemorate our gathering. It doesn’t mean anything. Don’t overthink it.”

I was really too tired, so I quickly nodded. “Alright, got it.”

A hint of impatience flashed in his eyes.

“Why are you refusing communication? Are you still mad at me for meeting up with Faye? I’ve told you, she’s part of the friend group.

“Yes, we had our history, but it’s in the past. If you really care about it, I’ll bring you to our future gatherings too.”

I nodded again, “Alright, I get it. I’m really tired, can you let me sleep?”

Zac did not say anything else. He sighed and wanted to get into the bed. I jolted up.

“What are you doing?”

He froze, then he glared at me coldly before leaving and slamming the door behind him. Then, he kicked the door to the master bedroom open.

After his interruption, I was worried that it would be hard for me to fall asleep again. Fortunately, after my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep again within minutes.

My relationship with my colleagues was good. They suggested doing a farewell for me before I left the country.

Naturally, I agreed to their enthusiastic request.

I did not expect to bump into Zac and his colleagues when I went out for a washroom break during dinner. Faye was walking beside Zac.

It seemed like Zac cared a lot about Faye. He even brought her to his company gathering.

To my relief, I realized that I was not jealous or unhappy. I only hoped that I could have settled on this mindset a lot sooner. Perhaps, I would not be upset for such a long time in the past.

Faye saw me and greeted me with a smug smile.

“Piper, what a coincidence. You’re here too… Ah, don’t misunderstand this. I’ve been bored out of my mind recently, that’s why Zac brought me along to his company gathering.”

Zac’s colleagues knew me. They acted a little stiffly. They were looking at Faye weirdly as well.

I nodded and walked toward the private room that my colleagues were in.

After I sat down, I received a text message from Zac.

[I don’t always bring her to my company gathering. This is the only time.]

It was such a loaded statement. Usually, Faye would not be in the same city either.

[I know it’s not very appropriate. I won’t bring her again.]

It had nothing to do with me, even if it was inappropriate.

He sent a few more text messages of similar content. The very last text message he sent was asking me what time my dinner would end. He wanted to go home together.

I placed my phone back into my bag and did not answer his text messages.

We were chatting while eating, and the atmosphere was warm and cozy.

During the latter part of the dinner, one of my colleagues raised a glass and joked, “Piper’s going overseas this time. Maybe after she returns, she’ll be a director.”

I laughed and toasted back. “Don’t make fun of me. Maybe when I come back, I’ll be reporting under you.”

Everyone laughed.

I left the private room after dinner. Surprisingly, I saw Zac glaring at me with angry eyes.

Faye was trying to stop him, yet she was staring at me in hatred too.

Zac ignored Faye. Instead, he asked me with a shaking voice. “Are you going overseas?”