Chapter 6

Claire's body stiffened, as if she had only remembered Ashton's existence when someone asked. She parted her lips, ready to explain, but Ashton calmly replied, "I'm their friend." Claire shot him a complicated look. But with Curtis by her side, she ultimately said nothing more. The others found it odd, but they didn't press further. Instead, they warmly invited Ashton to join the table. Old friends, reunited after years apart, couldn't stop talking. They chatted endlessly about anything and everything. While catching up with her friends, Claire attentively served Curtis food, even picking out the cilantro he didn't like. Ashton sat quietly to the side, playing the part of a friend. Halfway through the gathering, he stepped out to use the restroom. But as he returned to the private dining room, a voice from inside caught his attention. "Be honest, Claire. Have you ever moved on to another man during the years Curtis was abroad?" Those in the private room fell silent, as if they collectively awaited her answer. Curtis was eager to answer for her. "Enough with the questions, guys. It's only natural for her to do that while I was away…" Though his words said otherwise, his eyes were already looking forlorn, and the smile on his face looked more forced than genuine. At that, Claire felt a pang in her heart. She lowered her voice and helplessly said, "No, I've never set my sights on any other man." At last, Curtis broke into a teary smile and pulled her into his arms. The others immediately burst into cheers and playful teasing. Ashton, standing outside the door, decided not to go in and ruin the mood. Instead, he quietly turned around and took a cab home. A few hours later, Claire returned, supporting a very drunk Curtis in her arms. She carefully helped him onto the bed. As soon as he lay down, he reached out and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. "Don't go, Clairy. Tell me, if I hadn't left the country out of rebellion back then, Ashton wouldn't have been part of the picture, right?" He continued, "You're married to me, not him. We're the real married couple. So, please don't leave me behind…" Hearing those words, Claire froze mid-motion as she tried to stand. Taking the opportunity, Curtis leaned in and kissed her. That was the scene Ashton walked in on when he pushed open the bedroom door—the two of them tangled in an unmistakably intimate moment. He stood stunned for a moment, then quietly turned and walked out of the room. Anyone would be shaken seeing their partner kiss another man, but perhaps because he had already prepared himself for this, he didn't feel as devastated as he had once imagined. Watching Ashton's retreating back, Claire was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of panic. She shoved Curtis away and ran after Ashton. "Ash, wait—let me explain! He—" "I get it. He's drunk. Just take care of him. I won't throw a tantrum." Meeting his sincere gaze, Claire felt a wave of indescribable panic, as if something important was slipping out of her grasp. Her voice was strained as she questioned, "Why aren't you mad at all?"