Chapter 3

When I arrived at the restaurant, they were already there.

They sat by the window, heads bowed, looking at the same phone.

Serena was shaking with laughter, and a smile played on Julian's lips too.

The sight stung my eyes.

"Elara's here."

Serena saw me first and waved enthusiastically.

"Come quickly, sit down!"

"Have you been waiting long?"

I sat down next to Julian.

"No, we just got here too."

Julian naturally wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my forehead.

"Why do you still look unwell? Didn't you get enough rest?"

His actions were gentle and intimate.

But I felt his hand linger a little too long on my waist.

Like he was measuring me.

"Maybe the medication hasn't worn off yet."

I said blandly, staring into his eyes.

Julian's smile froze for a moment.

"What medication?"

Serena interjected, her eyes probing.

"Post-miscarriage recovery meds."

I shifted my gaze.

"Julian prescribed them. He said they were good for my body."

The truth was mixed.

Julian had indeed prescribed the medicine, but I knew its real effect.

It made me drowsy; it was probably more than just for recovery.

"Dr. Thorne is so thoughtful."

Serena propped her chin on her hand, her gaze lingering on Julian's face.

"Whoever marries you will be incredibly happy."

Julian didn't refute her, just smiled.

During dinner, Serena kept talking about amusing hospital stories.

Julian listened intently, the atmosphere so harmonious it was as if *they* were the couple.

Serena suddenly turned to me.

"I heard you're preparing for your forensic certification exam? If you need materials, I can give them to you. Julian helped me compile a complete set back then."

"No, thanks."

I said calmly.

"Julian already prepared them for me."

"Mine are different though."

Serena blinked.

"Mine have Julian's handwritten notes, lots of exclusive insights!"

She was provoking me.

I looked at Julian, but he was just cutting his steak, not even looking up.

"Those are old materials. Elara can just use the new ones."

Halfway through the meal, Serena said she needed to use the restroom.

As she stood up, she knocked over a red wine glass, spilling all the wine onto my dress.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

She exclaimed, "I didn't mean to! Elara, are you okay?"

Julian immediately helped me wipe it off.

But his movements suddenly paused, his gaze fixed on my calf.

I looked down. There was a faint scar there, from a fall when I was a child.

In my memory from last night, the skin in this spot should have already been made into a specimen.

"What's wrong?"

Julian snapped back to attention, his eyes complex.

"Nothing, just remembered that scar of yours. It's quite unique."

His finger traced the scar.

The touch was gentle, but it sent shivers down my spine.

"I'll go clean up."

I pushed Julian's hand away and walked towards the restroom.

"Elara."

Serena's voice came from behind.

I looked up, seeing her leaning against the doorframe in the mirror.

"Yes?"

"Just wanted to remind you."

She smiled at me.

"Some things aren't yours, and it's pointless to force them."

"Like what?"

I turned around, facing her directly.

"Like Julian."

Serena took two steps closer, lowering her voice.

"Why do you think he married you? Because you look like me, your voice sounds like mine, even the way you cry is like mine."

"He's using you as my stand-in, silly girl."

Her words were like daggers, piercing my deepest fears.

Instead of breaking down, I smiled.

"Is that so? Then why didn't he just marry you directly?"

Serena's expression twisted for a moment.

She leaned into my ear, her breath chilling.

"Because he couldn't bear to turn me into a specimen and display me in his dark room."