Chapter 3

"No thanks. I'm not hungry."

I turned and went back to the bedroom, only to find it filled with someone else's belongings.

"What's going on?"

Daniel didn't even look up. "Oh, Georgina's apartment flooded."

"She's moving in temporarily."

"After you finish your surgery and recover, she'll move out."

My hand holding the towel trembled uncontrollably. When I spoke, my voice carried a hint of tears.

"Daniel, this is our marital home." Each word was heavy with grief.

But Daniel didn't understand. He frowned and looked over, his eyes carrying a trace of reproach.

"We're not married yet, are we? Whether it's a marital home is debatable! Elliot, stop making trouble out of nothing."

Georgina didn't say a word, keeping her head down as she ate, but her trembling shoulders showed she was laughing.

I said nothing, just took my things and went to the guest room.

Just a few more days. I could endure this.

The flight was the day after tomorrow. Once I left, I'd like to see who Georgina could practice her surgery on!

Just as I sat down, my phone rang.

It was Williams.

"My queen, don't forget next Monday's flight."

Williams's mischievous voice came through the phone. I'd always said I found him annoying, but now his voice felt like a lifeline.

"I haven't forgotten."

"Williams, what if my situation is really bad enough to require surgery?"

There was silence on the other end for a moment. "Elliot, don't be scared."

"I've seen the scans you sent me. It's not as terrible as it seems. Our equipment here is more precise. Do another scan here—what if it's a misdiagnosis?"

"Even if it is confirmed, there are many treatment options. Surgery isn't the only one."

Williams had always been like an unreliable kid who never grew up.

But hearing this string of comforting words, I suddenly realized the boy on the other end was no longer the Williams I remembered.

Williams's words soothed my wounded heart.

Not long after I hung up, there was a knock on the door.

It was Georgina.

She was wearing my pajamas, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation.

"Elliot, you don't mind me wearing your pajamas, do you?"

I glanced at her coldly. "No problem. I'll just throw them out later."

Georgina's red lips curved up slightly as she smiled and walked in.

"Elliot, do you know why Daniel didn't show up to get our marriage license last time?"

Daniel and I had scheduled our license appointment six months ago, for the third day after Georgina's return.

On the day we were supposed to register, Daniel was late. By the time he arrived, everyone at city hall had already left.

He pulled me aside apologetically. "Elliot, I really didn't mean to. My car got rear-ended on the way."

"My phone broke too..."

Daniel pitifully pulled out his shattered phone from his pocket as proof it was really an accident.

I believed him.

"Because that day was the anniversary of the first time we slept together. He went with me to revisit the place where it happened."

"Do you know where?"

"His bedroom, when I was eighteen..."

Georgina leaned close to me. The hickey at the neckline of her pajamas was very conspicuous.

This was Daniel's "nothing's going on with Georgina."

No wonder after Georgina came back, Daniel never mentioned getting our license again.

The only time he brought it up was for this premarital checkup.

He mentioned it on the day of our eight-year anniversary.

"Elliot, let's do a premarital checkup. Georgina said she'd arrange it for us."

Daniel and I had our biggest fight ever.

"Daniel, if you don't want to get married, just say so. No need to keep dragging this out. I'm not someone who can't live without you!"