Chapter 3

I immediately busied myself in the kitchen after returning home from the supermarket, but as the night wore on, Christopher still hadn't returned home. I kept calling him, but his answer was always the same, saying that he would return in half an hour. I reheated the meal countless times, and it wasn't until the stroke of midnight that Christopher finally arrived with Lillian. "That bar you recommended was really something, Lilian! I have never been this happy before!" he praised. I couldn't help but feel my heart sink after hearing that. I recalled telling Christopher that I wanted to check out a bar, but he lectured me like a grumpy old man, saying that people who went to bars were all up to no good and warning me against going to one. I had even teased him for it, saying that even though he was a werewolf, his views were incredibly old-fashioned. It never occurred to me that his refusal was simply because he didn't want to go with me. Lillian playfully hit Christopher's chest, saying, "You're just saying nice things to sweet-talk me." She then tugged Christopher over to where I was standing, asking, "You two are close, right? Do you think he's really happy right now, Aurora?" Christopher's smile held firm as his large hand stealthily snaked around Lillian's delicate waist. I had very rarely seen Christopher smile so genuinely. I was momentarily stunned before nodding and replying, "Yes, he's really happy right now." I felt an inexplicable pain piercing my chest after I said that—it felt like a thousand tiny needles simultaneously stabbing me. I then lost control for a moment and knocked the dishes off the dining table, causing food to scatter across the floor. Christopher's expression immediately fell. "What a buzzkill!" He then waved his hand dismissively and left, taking Lillian upstairs with his arm around her. In a corner where no one paid attention, a pins-and-needles sensation spread through my fingertips, my body contorted in spasms, and a violent pain ripped through my chest. It felt as though someone had thrust their whole hand into my chest, gripped my heart tightly, and twisted it savagely. It was after an unknown amount of time that I finally opened my eyes. I quietly tidied up the scattered mess, then stumbled into the bathroom. In the mirror, the mark on my chest had become increasingly faint, with only a few barely visible lines remaining. It was then that I heard a woman's soft murmurs coming from the bathroom. I assumed Lillian was the only one inside before I heard a deep, muffled groan coming from inside. I immediately tightened my grip on the door, feeling a cold dread washing over me. I could roughly make out Christopher's robust silhouette and Lillian's slender silhouette through the frosted glass of the bathroom. "It's not my first time, though. Is it something you'll still enjoy doing with me?" Lillian asked. "I'll still enjoy—no, I think it's even better that way." I stood still for a moment, gathering my strength. I then gritted my teeth and stepped out of the bathroom, gently closing the door behind me. In the stillness of the night, I lay in bed, wanting to cry, yet tears wouldn't come out. It was as if—having plumbed the depths of sorrow—a strange detachment set in and lessened the immediate pain. I got up early the following morning, intending to make breakfast for them. It was then that I noticed the cake in the refrigerator was missing. The truth was that I hadn't celebrated my birthday since I was 18 years old. It was just because I was afraid that the sight of a cake would bring back the unpleasant memories of that night for Christopher. I happened to pass by the dessert section at the supermarket last night, and on a whim, I picked up my favorite red velvet cake. In the dining room, Christopher laughed softly as he dabbed a bit of cream from Lillian's nose and put it in his mouth, saying, "You're such a messy eater. You should take it easy. You're that tired from last night, huh?" Lillian immediately blushed. She tossed the spoon down in a huff and playfully exclaimed, "You're one to talk! It's your fault for always wanting more! How do you expect me to have any energy if I don't eat?" "Alright, alright. It was all my fault. Here, I'll feed you!"