Chapter 3

3.

When we arrived at the restaurant, the three of them walked in first.

By the time I parked and found their table, there were only three sets of silverware laid out.

Natalie looked at me with slight embarrassment and raised her hand to call a server.

Beside her, Maisie suddenly burst into loud wails.

"I don't want to eat with the creepy uncle! Daddy said he wants to take my mommy away!"

"I don't want him here!"

Derek quickly covered her mouth, offering me an apologetic look.

"Colin, she's just babbling. Please don't mind her."

Natalie pulled Maisie into her arms and comforted her tenderly.

The way she looked at me made it seem like I had committed an unforgivable crime.

I let out a faint chuckle and looked at Maisie.

"Little girl... your mommy will always be your mommy. I won't take her away from you."

My words made Natalie's expression shift instantly.

Before she could speak, I turned around and walked over to an empty booth in the corner.

I ordered my own meal and ate in peace.

Laughter drifted over from their table from time to time.

Yet it did not ruin my appetite in the slightest.

On my drive home after finishing my dinner, Natalie called my phone.

"Colin, where are you? We're done eating. Wait for us in the parking lot."

Hearing her entitled tone, I wondered how low I had fallen in her eyes.

Did she really think that after being treated like that, I would still wait around to drive them home?

"I'm already at our front door," I said flatly.

My reply instantly set Natalie off.

"Colin, what is your problem! We went out together, so why did you leave on your own!"

I answered calmly, "Weren't you guys going to the movies?"

Natalie choked on her words, completely silenced.

Before leaving the restaurant, I had already seen Derek's latest post.

"The movie Maisie has been begging to see with Mommy and Daddy. Dream come true tonight."

Attached was a cozy photo of the three of them.

A friend had commented below:

"You two are finally together! Huge congratulations!"

Derek had replied with a blushing emoji.

After a few seconds of silence on the line, Natalie forced out an excuse:

"We could have all gone together! Didn't you always complain that I never went to the movies with you?"

I smiled faintly and said without hesitation:

"No need. Enjoy your movie."

With that, I hung up the phone.

I couldn't care less about how furious she might be on the other end.

When I walked into the house, I received an email from HR.

My transfer request had been officially approved, and they asked me to wrap up my local tasks as soon as possible.

That was the first piece of good news I had received in days.

When Natalie finally came home, I was organizing my handover files.

She was still fuming over my attitude on the phone.

She grabbed her pajamas and went straight into the bathroom to shower.

By the time she came out, I was already lying in bed, ready to sleep.

Natalie stood by the edge of the bed, staring down at me.

Her intense gaze was impossible to ignore, even with my eyes shut.

Just as her staring was starting to annoy me, my phone rang.

"Colin! Isn't today your birthday? The company sent over a gift basket, and I just dropped it off at your porch!"

My manager's booming voice sounded crystal clear in the quiet bedroom.

Natalie's face turned visibly pale and stricken as she heard every word.

I hung up the phone, got out of bed, and walked outside.

After thanking my manager, I carried the box inside.

When I walked past the kitchen, I saw Natalie opening the fridge, frantically searching for ingredients.

I glanced at her briefly, then put the box down and headed back to the bedroom.

Moments later, Natalie walked in and spoke uneasily.

"We're out of noodles at home. Let me make you..."

I yawned and cut her off.

"No need. I ate plenty for dinner."

The guilt on Natalie's face deepened.

"I forgot today was your birthday. I'm so sorry..."

I replied indifferently, "It's fine. It's just a birthday."

"It makes no difference whether it's celebrated or not."

With that, I switched off the lamp and went to sleep.

I slept peacefully through the night without a single dream.