I sat there for a few moments before Alexander returned from the kitchen.

He was wearing an apron.

The sight caught me off guard.

I found myself glancing over more than once from the sofa.

After coming home, he had only removed his coat, leaving the black shirt underneath. The top buttons were casually undone, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, exposing strong forearms dusted with faint veins. He was still wearing tailored suit pants, and the contrast between his polished, elite appearance and the plain kitchen apron was strangely striking.

Alexander noticed my gaze and curved his lips slightly.

"What are you looking at?"

I quickly turned my head, warmth rising to my face.

"Nothing."

"Nothing worth mentioning."i added

"Then why are you blushing?"

His smile deepened, but i didn’t reply. He turned and went back toward the kitchen.

A little later, he came out carrying two plates of pasta, followed by several side dishes.

Everything looked unexpectedly exquisite.

I moved to the dining table and sat across from him.

"How does it taste?" Alexander asked as he removed the apron and set it aside.

I glanced at him briefly before picking up a shrimp and placing it in my mouth.

It was tender and juicy, almost melting on my tongue.

"It’s good"I said

Alexander sat opposite me.

"Really? It’s been a while since I cooked," he said calmly. "I’m a little rusty."

I lifted a brow.

"Don’t you cook for Lilian often?"

My tone was light, but the question was not.

His gaze paused on me.

"Not often. Just that one time."

"Oh."

I lowered my head and continued eating.

Alexander studied my expression for a moment.

"What?" he asked quietly. "You don’t believe me?"

I took another bite before answering.

"Whether I believe you or not doesn’t matter."

I looked up at him , my expression composed.

"I don’t have cameras installed at Lilian’s place."

He held my gaze for a few seconds but chose not to continue that subject.

Instead, he said,

"How about I cook for you at least once a week from now on?"

Given his schedule, it was obvious he couldn’t possibly cook every day.

I looked at him, my face unreadable.

"I don’t think your schedule would allow that."

Alexander fell silent.

I continued eating,The pasta was warm. So was the man in front of me. But unfortunately, warmth had never meant safety....

Third person POV

After dinner, Alexander looked at Alicia.

"How about a walk?" he suggested. "It’ll help with digestion."

Alicia glanced at him briefly, then nodded.

"Sure."

The two of them left their villa and walked side by side along the stone path winding through the quiet neighborhood.

The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of flowers from nearby gardens.

Their pace was unhurried.

They spoke about ordinary things—recent projects, small happenings at the company, trivial matters that meant nothing.

Or rather, Alexander did most of the talking.

Alicia responded now and then, but she wasn’t as engaging as usual.

After a moment, Alexander reached over and took her hand.Alicia felt his warm hands around hers. Familiar. Yet dangerous.

His fingers closed naturally around hers, as though it was the most ordinary thing in the world.

"I’m going to New York next month," he said. "Leaving towards the ending. Want to Come with me?."

For Alexander, business trips had always been common.

In the past, even when he used to disappear to see Lilian, Alicia had never suspected a thing.

Now, however, she knew better.

This trip was a business trip for Alexander, but in her case even if she went with him,it would be for leisure—perhaps some sightseeing , and stuff like that.

But even so, she had no desire to go.

"I still have work to finish," Alicia said calmly. "I might not have time."

"Let your subordinates handle it."

Alicia frowned faintly.

"That wouldn’t be appropriate."

She withdrew her hand gently and tucked it into her coat pocket.Alexander glanced at her hand now safely tucked in her pocket and felt a sense of unease settle in him.

"My responsibilities are mine. I can’t simply push everything onto the staff."

Alexander fell silent.

Alicia had once resented the way he favored Lilian.

The exceptions he made for her.

The indulgence.

The special treatment.

But now that he was trying to do the same for Alicia, she felt no satisfaction at all.

Only then did she realize—

What she had hated was never the favoritism itself.

It was the difference.

The fact that he had been willing to bend his rules for Lilian...

but not for her.

She had never envied Lilian.

She had only mourned the version of Alexander she never received.

"Once in a while, it’s fine," Alexander pushed, sounding faintly resigned.

When the boss insisted, there was little room to argue.

"Okay," Alicia replied at last, though her tone carried clear reluctance.

They continued their walk along the stone path.

The neighborhood was quiet, lit by warm streetlamps and softened by the chill of the evening air.

Partway through, Alexander’s phone rang several times.

One call was from a business partner.

The other was from Michael Livingston.

Alexander glanced at the screen before answering.

"So," Michael said with a laugh the moment the call connected, "you celebrated Lilian’s birthday today.returned already?"

Alexander’s brows drew together slightly.

His gaze flicked toward Alicia, who was walking a few steps ahead without looking back.

Of all times, Michael had chosen the worst possible moment to call.

"Why does that matter to you?" Alexander asked coolly.

Michael chuckled on the other end.

"Just curious."

Alicia kept walking, her posture calm and unhurried, giving no sign she was paying attention.

Even so, Alexander found himself wondering whether she could hear every word.

"I heard today’s party was extravagant," Michael continued lazily. "Elegant too. Shame I couldn’t make it."

He paused deliberately.

"Does Alicia know?"

A hint of amusement visibly in his tune.

"If she does, I’m sure she’ll throw a fit."

Ever since the anniversary dinner incident, Michael had come to his own conclusion.

Although Alexander and Alicia were husband and wife, and had even dined together that night, Alexander’s reaction afterward had made it seem as though he still favored Lilian.

If the situation had been reversed, Michael’s interference on Lilian’s behalf would have backfired immediately.

Because of that assumption, Michael had grown far too comfortable speaking about Alicia so carelessly.

Alicia’s pace slowed instantly.

Alexander noticed it and his expression cooled.

He did not answer the provocation.

Instead, he said flatly,

"Is there anything else?"

After a brief silence, Michael spoke again.

"Alexander... do you really plan to continue like this?"

By like this, he meant maintaining a marriage with Alicia while still remaining entangled with Lilian.

When Alexander gave no response, Michael continued as if encouraged by the silence.

"To be honest, I used to think you’d end up alone."

He gave a light laugh.

"But after you met Lilian, I saw a different side of you."

"Back then, she was gentle, considerate... the kind of girl everyone envied. Don’t you remember how many classmates were jealous that you had someone like her?"

Alexander’s expression hardened slightly, but he said nothing.

Michael went on.

"I watched the two of you from the beginning—meeting, falling in love, then breaking apart."

"I still don’t know why you separated, but chances like that are rare."

"If fate brought you back together..."

"You should cherish it."

The meaning behind his words could not have been clearer.

He wanted Alexander to divorce Alicia.

To Michael, Alicia had never been more than the legal wife standing in the way of an unfinished love story.

Alexander’s expression turned colder with every passing second.

Then he glanced at Alicia again.

She was still walking a little farther away from him, calm and quiet, her face unreadable beneath the streetlights.

Alexander intentionally slowed his pace.

When he spoke again, his voice was low enough to chill the air.

"Listen carefully, Michael."

"I know you and Lilian are friends."

"But that does not give you the right to say whatever you please about my wife."

Silence crashed through the line.

In front of him—

Alicia’s footsteps stopped abruptly.