Chapter 3

Late at night, I came across Derek's post.

[Got diarrhea from working late, but luckily my boss took care of me. So blessed!]

The picture showed Julia's bare arm as she held out medicine and water.

Looked like the shrimp soup dumplings were to blame.

Good thing I didn't eat any.

I met up with some old friends and had a good drinking session with them.

Before, Julia wouldn't let me drink and didn't like me having my own social life.

Now, I was finally free.

I woke up from my hangover the next afternoon.

When Julia came in, she automatically said:

"Worked too late last night, so I slept at the office."

She tiredly took off her jacket, then sniffed and frowned.

"Where's that smell of alcohol coming from?"

"Had too much with friends yesterday. Opening the windows should help."

She frowned in displeasure but, after looking at my expression, ultimately said nothing.

Right—she could spend the whole night taking care of her assistant and lie to me. What right did she have to control me?

Glancing at the bright red "4" on the countdown calendar on the table, she seemed to remember something.

"Oh right, your birthday's in two days. Is there anything you want?"

With her reminder, I remembered my birthday was coming up.

"No need. I don't want to celebrate my birthday."

I used her own words to answer her coolly.

On her birthday, I'd made a whole table of food waiting for her, only to be scolded:

"My work is very busy, and I don't want to celebrate my birthday. You don't need to wait for me."

Later, I discovered on Derek's Instagram that Julia had closed her eyes to make a wish over a cake.

Turned out, she didn't not want to celebrate her birthday—she just didn't want to celebrate with me.

That day we had a huge fight. I yelled asking her who she was thinking of when she made her wish.

She said I was petty, that her colleagues had insisted on celebrating and she couldn't refuse.

Seeming to remember this, guilt flashed in Julia's eyes.

"That won't do. This is your last birthday before the wedding. I need to celebrate it properly with you!"

She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and gently kissed my cheek.

"Huh? How come you're not wearing the watch I gave you last year?"

That watch had been thrown in the trash the moment she walked out yesterday.

"Put it away for safekeeping."

I said flatly. Julia just said "oh" and didn't ask further.

She'd stayed up all night taking care of Derek, then worked all day. She was exhausted.

She took a shower and went to bed early.

Three more days, and I'd be completely free of Julia.

I called the wedding company and had them go meet the new bride at her address, to take her measurements and pick out a wedding dress.

My parents also called to urge me to meet her beforehand.

"It's not like we've never met. We can see each other at the wedding."

"See who?"

Julia had overheard my conversation.

"My parents. They said they wanted to see you before the wedding. I declined for you."

I replied coolly.

Julia was a bit unhappy. "Come to think of it, in five years I still haven't met them. Why are you declining for me?"

The daughter-in-law they want to see isn't you.

I opened my mouth but ultimately didn't bother saying it.

Julia opened the closet and exclaimed in surprise:

"Why are all your clothes gone?"

"I packed them away. It'll be easier to move them directly to the new house later."

I answered flatly. After Julia took out her jacket, she turned and hugged me.

"I requested tomorrow off. I'll stay home and celebrate your birthday with you!"

This was one of the few times she'd taken the initiative to be considerate.

"Okay."

Fine. Five years ago, we got together on my birthday.

Let it end on this day too.

Julia went shopping for groceries with me, then got called away by a phone call.

No need to guess—the only person who could call her away at a time like this was Derek.

I didn't expose her, but went home alone and started cooking.

She said she'd definitely be back within two hours.

But by the time I'd finished making a whole table of food and eaten my share, she still hadn't come back.

I wiped my mouth and stood up, calling my parents.

"Let's go. I'll come with you to see the wedding venue."

When I arrived at the reserved wedding hotel, I unexpectedly saw Julia.

Behind her was Derek, dressed in a full suit. The two were chatting and laughing, looking every bit like a couple.

"Don't misunderstand, honey. I'm here to help Derek out. The girl he was set up with on a blind date won't leave him alone, so I'm pretending to be his sister to chase her away..."

I nodded. "Running into harassment and stalking is indeed troublesome. As his boss, you should protect your subordinate."

Seeing I wasn't making a scene or misunderstanding, Julia breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll go up with him first. Let's meet downstairs in a bit."

Derek forced a smile and thanked me, then was the first to enter the elevator.

The tie he was wearing was from my favorite brand.

It was also the one Julia had put in her bag this morning.

It should have been my birthday present.

Julia hesitated, but finally followed him into the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, I seemed to see my former self in Derek.

Back then, Julia had been just as attentive to me. If anyone dared show interest in me, she'd get incredibly anxious.

I toured the venue with my parents, and after seeing them off, Julia still hadn't come down.

Thinking of how she'd said "see you in a bit," I sent her a text.

[Done yet? When are you coming back?]

She quickly sent back a voice message. When I played it, it was Derek's voice.

"Xavier, you should head back first. Julia got into a bit of a scuffle with that woman and got her clothes splashed. She's in the shower now. I'll have her call you back later!"

Hearing the sound of running water in the background, I decisively took a taxi home.

"Xavier, don't be mad. This is all my fault. I didn't expect that woman wouldn't believe Julia and I are siblings, and even got physical with her..."

Derek's voice couldn't hide his smugness.

I ignored him.

After a long while, Julia called to scold me.

"I already explained everything to you. Why are you still dwelling on it?"

"Derek came to this city alone to make it. It's not easy. I'm his boss—what's wrong with helping him out?"

I could hear Derek's aggrieved sobbing through the phone.

I took a deep breath, no longer interested in engaging with his manipulative games.

"Mm. I understand. You go ahead and stay busy."

I hung up, cleared out all my belongings, and left.