Chapter 3

That familiar "sorry about this" again.

I smiled and sent a brief reply: [Okay.]

Caius didn't come back until the next day. I was reading Lily her pre-nap story.

I didn't demand to know where he'd been.

Throwing jealous fits like I used to would only make him resent me more, and it would affect Lily too.

After Lily fell asleep, Caius handed me a box.

It was the black diamond necklace I once wanted but that someone else had won at auction.

In the past, I probably would have been overjoyed and thrown myself into Caius's arms.

But now, my heart was completely calm.

I used to love jewelry.

But after the divorce, I moved into a rough neighborhood and was dragged down the stairs by a thief yanking my necklace, ending up bloody and bruised.

From that moment on, I realized these things were flashy and useless, and could even cost me my life.

Not getting the enthusiastic reaction he expected, Caius's expression flickered. "Let me put it on you."

I smiled and dodged. "Thank you, but I don't like wearing jewelry anymore."

He stiffened.

I went to the kitchen to cut some fruit. When I came back out, Caius was already gone.

That afternoon, I took Lily out.

Money had been tight these past two years. Lily often wore hand-me-downs from the landlord's daughter.

Now I could finally buy her clothes that fit properly.

As we entered the children's clothing store, we ran into Aisling and her daughter.

And Caius.

The sales clerk fawned over them. "Alpha Caius, Miss Aisling, these just arrived yesterday. They'd be perfect for Kitty."

Kitty shouted, "I want this one!"

Caius smiled and swiped his card.

"Ma'am, can I help you with something?"

Another clerk approached me.

I said softly, "I'd like to buy a couple outfits for my daughter to wear now."

Caius and the others also looked our way.

I pretended not to notice and pulled Lily inside.

When we came out after trying on clothes, Aisling and her daughter were gone.

Caius looked at me with a complicated expression. "Today is Kitty's birthday. I was buying her clothes as a gift..."

"I see. Please send her my best wishes."

After speaking, I turned to the puzzled-looking clerk. "I'll take both of these outfits."

Just as I was about to pay, Caius grabbed my arm.

I quickly pulled my hand away.

The clerk's eyes darted between us. "Ma'am, you and Alpha Caius..."

I smiled. "We're friends."

A loud crash came from behind me.

"Mr. Caius, you dropped your phone!"

I turned around. Caius was staring at me intently. "What nonsense are you talking?"

I looked puzzled. "Aren't you going to celebrate her birthday with them?"

He continued glaring at me, his chest heaving violently, but he said nothing.

I didn't understand, but I didn't dare provoke him, so I pulled Lily toward the exit.

The moment we left the store, Caius grabbed me.

He asked in a low voice, "We're clearly husband and wife. Why did you say we're friends? Why did you just let them misunderstand our relationship?"

I laughed. "Aisling was right there next to you. They obviously all thought Aisling was your girlfriend. If they knew you were already married, it would be terrible for Aisling's reputation. Don't you care most about Aisling's reputation?"

Caius was stunned into silence. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Why are you so different from before?"

In the past, I would have made a huge scene over something like this.

Caius was always impatient. "Stop being unreasonable. Aisling is a widow raising a child alone. It's not easy for her. If people think she's my girlfriend or mistress, at least they won't bully her."

But what was the point of fighting with Aisling over these things now?

I just wanted to raise Lily properly and let her live the comfortable life she deserved.

I said calmly, "Isn't this what you always wanted?"

Caius's face turned dark. He turned and left in anger.

I didn't care. I took Lily out to eat and shop, buying quite a few things.

This life without worrying about making ends meet felt like it had before the divorce.