Chapter 3

Those days, Frederick didn't come home. When Gabrielle scrolled through her social media , she kept seeing Jacqueline's posts. Frederick accompanied her to the library, Frederick brought her breakfast, Frederick bent down to tie her shoelaces. In every photo, his expression was softer than when he was with her. She watched silently, slowly packing her belongings. Over the years, her possessions had dwindled to almost nothing. A few changes of clothes, a pair of sneakers she’d worn for years, and an album filled with secretly taken photos of Frederick. His profile while reading, his back while cooking, his slightly furrowed brows while sleeping. When Frederick returned, she was packing the last small box. “Why are you packing?” he asked from the doorway, his voice calm. “I don’t need them anymore, so just throwing them away.” ” She didn’t look up, afraid he’d see her reddened eyes. He hummed in acknowledgment, walked in, and poured a glass of water: “It’s good to tidy up. You said this house isn’t comfortable to live in, right? I bought a villa; we can move in a few days.” He paused, then suddenly said, “I'll take you to see it today.” Her fingers trembled, but she eventually nodded. It would be like taking one last look at his new home before leaving. The villa area had a great environment, with lush green trees and a quiet atmosphere that felt like it was cut off from the outside world. As soon as they reached the entrance, they ran into Jacqueline. She was wearing a light yellow dress, her smile bright: “You’re here? Gabrielle, our houses are next to each other, so we’ll be able to see each other every day!” She enthusiastically led them inside to tour her villa. But the moment she opened the door, Gabrielle froze. The off-white sofa, the natural wood dining table, even the green plants on the balcony were identical to what she had just seen in Frederick's villa. “Frederick and I picked out the furniture together,” Jacqueline said with a smile. “I never thought our tastes would be so similar—it looks like one house!” She blinked: “A friend even said that if we knocked down the partition wall, the two houses could be combined into one, and it wouldn't feel out of place at all!” Frederick stood by, smiling rarely: “She studied design and has excellent taste.” Gabrielle's heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, aching intensely. Yes, once she left, they could confirm their relationship. Indeed, the two apartments could be combined into one. As they continued browsing, it was nearing lunchtime, and Jacqueline suggested they go out to eat together. She chose a high-end Western restaurant with a menu entirely in French. She deliberately handed the menu to Gabrielle first. Gabrielle took it, her fingers trembling slightly. She didn’t recognize a single word on it. Frederick seemed to notice her discomfort and took the menu from her: I’ll order.” Jacqueline rested her chin on her hand and smiled, “Frederick, don’t just order what I like—consider Gabrielle’s favor too.” Frederick looked at her, “What would you like to eat?” She lowered her eyes. He remembered exactly what Jacqueline liked to eat, but after all these years of relying on each other, he didn’t even know what she liked or which dish she preferred. “Anything is fine,” she said softly. When the food arrived, she awkwardly held the knife and fork and accidentally knocked over the plate. The sauce splashed onto the tablecloth, and the people around them gave her disdainful looks. She panicked and stood up, intending to go to the restroom to clean up, but she heard someone whispering behind her: “Where did this country bumpkin come from? She's probably never been to a French restaurant before.” “How embarrassing. Standing next to those handsome men and beautiful women, she looks like an uncivilized person…” She rushed into the restroom, turned on the faucet, and scrubbed the grease off her hands frantically. The girl in the mirror had a pale face and reddened eyes, looking like a disheveled clown. Yes, she and Frederick were no longer in the same world. Suddenly, a scream came from outside: “Fire!” Gabrielle’s expression changed, and her first instinct was to rush out to find Frederick. But when she ran against the crowd back to her seat, it was already empty. Frederick had already left with Jacqueline. She was pushed and shoved by the panicked crowd, fell to the ground, and had her hand stepped on hard, causing her vision to go black from the pain. When she stumbled downstairs, she saw Frederick carrying Jacqueline in his arms, urgently telling the driver, “To the hospital!” Jacqueline leaned against him and whispered, “Gabrielle is still inside...” Frederick glanced back at the crowded restaurant: “The restroom is on the first floor; she should have already come out.” He paused, “Your foot injury is serious. Go to the hospital first.” The car door closed, and it drove off. Gabrielle stood there, her wound burning with pain, but it couldn't compare to the pain in her heart. She went to the hospital alone, had her wound bandaged, and then went home to book a ticket to leave. After falling into a daze, she dreamed of many past events. Sixteen-year-old Frederick stood by the river, asking her why she saved him; Nineteen-year-old Frederick waited stubbornly at the dinner table late at night for her to come home; Twenty-two-year-old Frederick held her and said, “Gabrielle, I'll make sure you have a good life.” At twenty-four, Frederick had found a girl he liked and no longer needed her. In the dream, she laughed and laughed, and tears fell from her eyes. When she woke up again, Frederick was standing by her bedside, holding her phone. “Did you buy a ticket?” he stared at her, his voice as cold as ice, “Where are you going?”