"Cecilia, are you sure you don't need me to stay?"

Mia Moore looked at Cecilia Ye's tear-reddened eyes, worry clouding her face.

"I'm fine. You've just come back—take a couple of days to rest. We'll hang out again soon."

Cecilia Ye didn't want to burden anyone, nor did she want them to worry. All she wanted right now was to hide away at home.

"Alright then, I'm heading out. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

Watching Mia Moore leave, Cecilia Ye slowly made her way upstairs. Ever since Vivian Belle showed up, this was already the second time she'd been humiliated in public. Her grandparents, her friends—everyone had seen her at her lowest.

After all those years in the orphanage, then being adopted by the the Zane family, and eventually the Fu family, all she ever wanted was not to cause trouble for anyone. Whenever she was hurt, she only wanted to hide on her own.

Cecilia Ye cuddled Zara Zhao as she headed upstairs. The little pup was doing better now and snuggled in her arms, begging for affection.

She took out the bag of dog food and a small bowl she’d bought on the way, feeding Zara Zhao. The little guy buried its head into the bowl, gobbling the food like a piglet.

Thinking of what happened at the café today, a storm of feelings churned in Cecilia Ye’s heart. Xavier Fostern must have been stunned by what she’d done.

Splashing coffee on Vivian Belle—so what, really? As far as Xavier Fostern was concerned, she was always the one bullying Vivian Belle anyway.

*

After leaving Vivian Belle behind, Xavier Fostern drove straight out of the hospital. He drove aimlessly and somehow ended up parked downstairs at Cecilia Ye’s place, propping an elbow on his steering wheel and massaging his furrowed brow.

Recently, his thoughts had become a mess—always because of Cecilia Ye. He had thought divorce would be a simple affair. Marriage, to him, was nothing more than the icing on the cake—he’d never loved anyone, so marrying anyone made no difference.

Back then, Vivian Belle got hurt because of him. He’d promised to marry her, just to keep his word.

So why was he still so hung up on Cecilia Ye?

He thought back to the night he saved her, just a tiny thing, sprawled in front of his car, looking like a wounded rabbit under the headlights.

At first, it was only about getting a tool for the Fu family. Nothing more. Maybe after living together for all these years, he just got used to caring about her.

*

Zara Zhao, having eaten its fill, sprawled belly-up on the floor, demanding rubs with its round, pudgy body. It was probably a mixed-breed little Bichon, round-faced and silly.

"Zara Zhao, you eat any more and you’ll turn into a little piggy," Cecilia Ye teased.

It seemed to understand her, and quickly rolled over to hide its belly, its pink tongue gently brushing over her hand. The sensation made Cecilia Ye's heart ache and soften all at once.

She thought of Xavier Fostern calling her cruel, and bit her lip with her pearly-white teeth.

"Zara Zhao, the person you bit today—is the one Xavier Fostern really likes. He cares about her, so he and I… we're finished."

"But it’s okay now. I've got you and you’ve got me. As long as we stay together, I’ll never let anyone bully you again."

In the empty apartment, Cecilia Ye crouched on the floor, softly whispering all her secrets to Zara Zhao. Her voice was so light, it was as if a breeze could blow it away.

After a long day out with Mia Moore and a shouting match with Vivian Belle, she fed Zara Zhao and then took a shower. Maybe Zara Zhao had been frightened earlier, because it whimpered outside the bathroom door while she washed up.

She bent to scoop up the puppy, played with it for a while, and somehow fell asleep on the sofa.

Some time later, the door opened and a tall, familiar figure stepped inside.

Xavier Fostern looked up and saw her there—curled up on the sofa, still in her soft pajamas, damp hair spilled across the cushion, one slender white arm peeking out from under her sleeve.

He watched her for a moment, then approached quietly, crouching beside the sleeping Cecilia Ye.

He frowned—she still hadn't dried her hair.

The little white fluffball poked its head out from behind her. Recognizing Xavier Fostern, Zara Zhao wagged its tail obediently instead of barking.

He picked up Zara Zhao, checking its ear—the small wound was still red and swollen even after applying medicine.

Zara Zhao seemed delighted to be cradled in his large hands, tail wagging energetically.

"Silly thing. Just as dumb as your owner," Xavier Fostern muttered, though his eyes darkened. He remembered his promise to Vivian Belle....

As if sensing someone nearby, Cecilia Ye’s long lashes fluttered; she opened sleepy eyes and, seeing Xavier Fostern, thought for a moment she was still dreaming.

Setting Zara Zhao down, Xavier Fostern reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Why didn’t you dry your hair?"

Cecilia Ye looked at him—he was dressed in a light gray suit, with a splash of coffee still staining his jacket.

Was he here to settle the score for Vivian Belle?

Her head throbbed, and she just didn’t have it in her for another fight.

Xavier Fostern fetched the hair dryer and pulled her up from the sofa.

"Let me do it."

Half awake, she let herself be maneuvered, the warm air slowly blowing over her cheeks. The simple closeness of his fingers combing through her hair made the air feel warmer, as if they were a happy couple.

Back when she’d first moved into the Fu family home, Cecilia Ye never imagined this glittering man would actually become her husband.

She thought their marriage was just a certificate. But he’d been so good to her—drying her hair, caring for her, even setting up an art studio for her—that she’d allowed herself to believe, just for a second, that maybe, just maybe, he could forget his first love for her.

But that was never true… She’d been so wrong.

She reached out, gently pulling the hair dryer from his hand. "I’ll do it myself. There’s no need to trouble you."

Xavier Fostern switched off the dryer, his dark eyes locked on hers, midnight-deep and unreadable.

Setting it aside, he reached out and gently pinched her chin.

"Cecilia Ye, you were quite disobedient today."

"Mm."

She met his gaze dully, lifeless. Let him say whatever he wanted—she didn’t have the strength to argue anymore.

Was perfect obedience all he ever wanted? If she let Vivian Belle yell at her, even hit her, and never fought back—would that be enough?

"Cecilia Ye, stop with the attitude." Xavier Fostern's voice was calm, not reproachful, but tinged with helplessness.

Already fragile, Cecilia Ye brushed his hand away. "Xavier Fostern, just how obedient do you want me to be? Obedient enough to get married, obey you through the divorce, obedient enough to move out here—and just stand there and take it, no matter how your precious Vivian Belle treats me? Is that what would finally satisfy you?"

Her voice rose with the tears streaming down her face. She covered her face with trembling hands.

No matter what she did, she still ended up heartbroken.

Xavier Fostern flexed his hand—the hot splash of her tears somehow burned his palm.

"I never said you had to do all that. Just stay out of Yuzhi’s way—she’s just a little spoiled, that’s all."

"And why can she be spoiled? Because you always take her side, always stand behind her!"

The petite woman shook her head, her voice fraying almost to nothing.

Getting up, Cecilia Ye just wanted to flee—to get as far from Xavier Fostern, and this heartache, as she could.

"Cecilia Ye!"

He grabbed her wrist, his frustration boiling over as he loomed above her.

She was the one who’d splashed coffee on them, but now she was acting like the wounded party! No one had ever spoken to Xavier Fostern this way before—his anger flared at once.

"Cecilia Ye, you know perfectly well—you only got into the Fu family because of Vivian Belle! You should be thanking her!"

Cecilia Ye froze. His words slashed straight through her heart.

Her bitten lip started bleeding, though she felt no pain.

Thank her… right. She’d forgotten—she was just a stray tool that Xavier Fostern had found use for. An object had no right to throw tantrums—she should do whatever its owner ordered.

Not wanting to look at her anymore, Xavier Fostern said coldly, "I promised Vivian Belle an explanation. I’m taking Zara Zhao with me."

The words landed one by one, cold as ice. Cecilia Ye stared at him, aghast, her face twisted with pain.

Xavier Fostern released her and bent down, scooping up Zara Zhao from behind the sofa and heading straight for the door.