Chapter 7

Time dragged on, second by second. When no response came, I was too drained to keep playing this game any longer.

As I turned to leave, I saw the shift in Alexander's face, a flash of panic quickly replacing his earlier anger. For the first time in seven years, he dropped his usual aloofness and spoke in a tone I had never heard from him before: apologetic, desperate.

"Rachel, don't go," he said, his voice softer now. "I know I've been wrapped up in work, and I haven't given you enough attention. That's why you're doing this, right? It's okay. I won't hold it against you. We can settle the breach of contract fees. Just promise me you'll come back with me tomorrow, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened. I miss your cooking, Rachel."

That hit me hard. But then, my mind flashed to something that happened just two months ago, something I'd never forget.

I had been dealing with brutal cramps that morning when Alexander texted me, asking for a dish of plum-flavored pork ribs. I barely had the energy to get out of bed, but I pushed myself to bike to the market in the heat, buying the best pork ribs I could find. By the time I finished cooking, I was pale and exhausted, but I still made sure everything was perfect.

When I showed up at the office, sweaty and weak from the effort, Alexander was walking out with Olivia. Without a second thought, Olivia grabbed the lunchbox from my hands with a beaming smile.

"Thank you so much, sister Rachel! My little darling loves your ribs the most. His second favorite is braised pork belly."

Her "little darling" was the dog she kept at the office. As she fed the lunch to the dog right in front of me, Alexander barely even acknowledged me. Instead, he said, "Olivia and I are going out for lunch. When the dog's done, can you clean up?"

It was in that moment that I knew, everything I had done for him, all the little things, meant nothing.

Now, sitting across from him, I wasn't going to hold back anymore. "Alexander, I'm not coming back with you. My real home is with my parents. And I won't marry you. Because I don't love you anymore."

He stared at me for a moment, blinking in disbelief. Then, he let out a bitter laugh, his voice full of anger.

"You don't love me anymore? We've been apart for less than a week, and now you're telling me you've already moved on? Do you hear yourself? You're being ridiculous."

I didn't flinch. I just stared at him coldly. "No, Alexander. The ridiculous one here is you. You've been so obvious about your feelings for Olivia, giving her everything while I've been wasting my time with you. You've already fallen for her. Why won't you just admit it? You're playing both of us. You think you can have it all, but not anymore. I won't be your fool."

Alexander, the man who had always been used to my patience and understanding, looked like I'd slapped him. His face went from red to pale, his emotions flickering through shock, shame, and guilt.

The dishes arrived and grew cold as we sat in silence. Finally, in a quiet, defeated voice, Alexander spoke again, his words cracking.

"Rachel, you've misunderstood me. I swear, I haven't cheated. There's something I've never told you." He hesitated before continuing, voice soft but raw. "I had a sister. Her name was Grace... She passed away unexpectedly. The first time Olivia called me 'brother,' I thought I was hearing Grace's voice again, like she was still here. That's why I... I wanted to fulfill Olivia's wishes, make it up to her. I wanted to do everything I couldn't do for Grace."

He pulled out a weathered photo from his wallet, an old, hidden snapshot of him with his sister.