Chapter 2

After her shower, Winona was towel-drying her hair as she handed Marcus' phone over. "You left your phone in there." Logan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he looked at her slightly flushed face and delicate skin still glistening with water. He tossed the phone onto the bed and pulled her into his arms. His hot breath brushed against her neck, and a hazy tension filled the room. Winona pushed away the hand that was wandering around her waist, her voice cool and restrained. "Not tonight. I'm not feeling well." Logan received the message and chose not to press further. Instead, he willingly retrieved the hairdryer and assisted her in drying her hair. By the time they were done, it was already late. Winona felt drowsy and went straight to bed. Not long after, Logan turned off the lights and got into bed as well, murmuring a soft, "Good night." Winona kept her eyes closed and didn't respond. The night passed dreamlessly. The next morning, Logan was woken by the sound of rummaging. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Winona tossing things into the trash bin—cups, shirts, a keychain, a phone case... She had carefully chosen each item, all in matching pairs. They were things she once loved. He wondered why she was throwing them away. Logan was instantly wide awake. He slowly pushed himself up. "They're not even broken. Why are you getting rid of them?" "They're old. I'll get new ones later," Winona replied offhandedly, making up an excuse. Then, she held the box and walked out the door. As she was heading back upstairs, a call came in from her landlady, Elena Carter. "Winona, why are you suddenly ending the lease? Did you have a fight with your boyfriend? He's been working many part-time jobs day and night just for you. "When your favorite restaurant closed, he even tracked down the chef to learn the recipes so that you could still enjoy the food. In the middle of winter, he walked miles just to get you that apple pie you love. He's such a good guy. Don't do anything you'll regret." Hearing the heartfelt concern, a faint, bitter smile tugged at the corners of Winona's lips. Before learning the truth, she had never once doubted Logan's sincerity in being with her. After all, everything he did for her was real. Maybe that was exactly why it hurt so much—because she had genuinely been moved by it all. That was what made it impossible to accept that she had been deceived for two whole years. She offered him a heart that was even more genuine and pure than his own. Ultimately, it proved to be worthless—nothing more than something cheap and disposable. She let out a bitter smile and shook her head. "Elena, there's no future for me and him. Could you please help process the lease cancellation?" When she returned home, Logan was in the middle of changing clothes. Just as Winona closed the door behind her, her phone started ringing again. A few seconds later, Naomi's tearful voice echoed through the small room. "Winona, are you busy today? Can you come keep me company? I just had a fight with Edmund…" Logan froze at the side, his fingers still in the middle of buttoning his shirt. He recognized the voice instantly and instinctively leaned in. Through the mirror, Winona caught sight of the tense, worried look on his face. She replied softly, "Just wait a bit. I'll go this afternoon—" Before she could finish, Logan cut her off, saying, "What's there to wait for? She must be a mess after a big fight. Let's go now. I'll drive you." Winona stared at him steadily, then asked a question he never expected, "Aren't you supposed to be working a shift at the cafe this morning?"