I nodded slightly, but he sneered, “You should have taken a taxi. I can’t believe you would walk all this way when you’re sick.”
I didn’t argue back. After all, there was no real hardship in my actions. I had dedicated six years to him, and if he wanted to scold me, I accepted it.
As I walked home today, I was quietly saying goodbye to the past. I was letting go of that rainy night when love first blossomed, bidding farewell to the young man who had carried me through long streets while battling a high fever.
During dinner, I noticed Landon glancing at me repeatedly. I pretended not to notice, taking small sips from my bowl of rice. It wasn’t until I set my bowl and chopsticks down, feeling eighty percent full, that I heard him say, “I noticed you liked that post on Instagram today.”
I froze, momentarily startled. I vaguely recalled that my actions might lead him to think I was moving on. Quickly, I pulled out my phone. “Sorry, I’ll remove it now.”
He stood up abruptly, pressing my phone down. “That’s not what I meant.”
Surprised, I looked up and met his gaze, which was filled with confusion.
“I mean, I’m glad you’re getting along with her,” he clarified.
Understanding washed over me, and I felt a strange mix of relief and something else I couldn’t quite place.
In the past, I had cared too deeply for Landon, which made me hostile toward Brittany. I not only ignored her posts on Instagram, but whenever I stumbled across something related to them, I would seize the opportunity to scold both of them. Landon grew weary of our constant arguments, often calling me a shrew.
I offered a noncommittal smile, then excused myself to the bathroom. After a soothing bath, I subconsciously made my way back to the master bedroom. However, just as my hand grasped the doorknob, I heard a man's gentle voice from inside.
“Fool, if you promise not to touch her, I won’t. Trust me.”
“Be good. I’ll accompany you tomorrow. Go to sleep.”
My heart sank as I released the doorknob and turned away, heading instead to the study.
As dawn broke, I was jolted awake by the sound of the door opening. Landon stood in the doorway, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"Why didn’t you go back to your room last night?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.