Chapter 3

The day after my father's funeral, Aaron returned home.

Upon hearing the sound of his car, I instinctively stepped out onto the balcony.

There I saw him getting out of the car, but he wasn’t alone. Following closely behind him was Jenifer, and Aaron was gentlemanly helping her down from the passenger seat.

Watching their intimate interaction, I felt no emotion stir within me.

As I descended the stairs, Aaron called out my name with enthusiasm.

I walked over slowly, and when Jenifer saw me, her face lit up with a bright smile.

“Cynthia, we’re back!”

Seeing her so cheerful made my heart ache, yet I maintained a blank expression.

“Mm.”

After my nonchalant response, Aaron immediately spoke up.

“It’s exhausting after an eight-hour flight, and we haven’t eaten yet. Could you whip up some pasta for us?”

Hearing this, my expression darkened instantly.

He actually had the nerve to ask me to make pasta for him and his childhood sweetheart?

I let out a cold laugh. “Aaron, I don’t have time.”

“How could you not have time? You’re standing right here, aren’t you?”

Aaron looked puzzled, tinged with a hint of disdain.

I struggled to contain my anger and lowered my voice. “Dad passed away a few days ago.”

Aaron’s expression faltered for a moment but quickly vanished.

“Are you kidding? Dad’s surgery date isn’t even here yet!”

“Yeah, Cynthia, it’s not nice to curse your father,” Jenifer chimed in, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

I replied coldly, “Believe what you want.”

Noticing my scowl, Jenifer stepped closer to Aaron, pouting. “Aaro, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t gone on this trip with you, Cynthia wouldn’t be upset and wouldn’t be taking it out on her father.”

Watching Jenifer feign remorse, I couldn’t help but smirk.

She was really laying it on thick, wasn’t she?

“Jenny, it’s not your fault; it’s just her being unreasonable.”

It was clear that Aaron was buying into her act.

Now he was shifting the blame onto me, feeling sorry for Jenifer while remaining skeptical of what I had just said.

Even though I was at a loss for words with both of them, I had no energy left to argue.

I walked to the table, grabbed my car keys, and headed outside.

Seeing me leave, Aaron rushed to block my path.

“What’s your problem now?”

He frowned, “Are you seriously getting jealous because I went on a trip with Jenny and some friends?”

I looked up at him.

He was staring at me with an expression that screamed I was being unreasonable.

“Let go of me.”

I had nothing left to say to him.

“You can go wherever you want; that’s your freedom. But if I want to go somewhere, that’s my freedom too!”

I forcefully shook off his hand and strode outside.

Aaron, infuriated by my attitude, shouted after me, “If you’re so upset, then don’t come back!”

Ha.

If I don’t come back, so what? Who cares?