Chapter 3

I held the Ragdoll cat and stared blankly into space until Chloe walked out of the kitchen.

When she saw me holding the cat, she walked straight up to me.

"Miss Vance, go wash your hands. Dinner is almost ready."

As she spoke, she reached out and took the cat right out of my arms.

The kitten didn't resist her touch at all. It even rubbed against her chest like a spoiled baby.

At that moment, my heart sank heavily.

This cat was actually very shy around strangers. Even I had spent a long time trying to get it to like me.

But right now, the cat acted incredibly familiar with Chloe.

I looked up and watched Chloe expertly feed the cat water and treats. My eyes grew freezing cold.

Chloe acted like she didn't notice my stare. Her tone held a hint of casual showing off.

"This cat is so hard to please. Good thing Mr. Hayes taught me how to feed it, or I wouldn't dare try."

My hands clenched into fists. My voice was calm but sharp. "That is my cat."

Chloe held the cat and gave me an innocent smile. "Really? I had no idea. Mr. Hayes never mentioned it."

"He just asked me to come over to his house and feed the cat."

She looked down at the kitten and smiled as she stroked its fur.

"It really likes me now. It is so good when I feed it. Thank God Mr. Hayes gave me a key to his place. It makes coming in and out so much easier."

My gaze instantly grew several degrees colder. My chest felt like it was crushed by a heavy boulder.

"A key? Since when?"

Chloe let out a soft laugh. "A long time ago, I think? Didn't Mr. Hayes tell you?"

She paused, her voice perfectly soft and innocent. "Miss Vance, you don't mind, do you? Mr. Hayes is just so busy. I just come over to help out sometimes."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Help out?"

Right then, Desmond walked out of the kitchen. He looked at both of us and frowned. "What are you guys talking about?"

Chloe immediately put the cat down and looked at him innocently.

"Mr. Hayes, did I say something wrong? Miss Vance looks upset… Should I not have mentioned the key?"

Desmond glanced at me, his eyes showing clear annoyance. "Hazel, what is wrong with you now?"

I looked at him coldly. "Nothing. I am not eating."

Desmond was obviously suppressing his anger. His voice was low and tight.

"Why are you throwing a tantrum again? Everyone is waiting for you, and the food is on the table. Don't you think you are being unreasonable?"

I looked right at him and asked, word by word. "Unreasonable? Desmond, is this really a party to celebrate my recovery?"

Desmond frowned deeply. "Of course it is."

I laughed mockingly. "Is it? Then why is everyone here Chloe's friend? I don't know a single person in this room."

Desmond opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Chloe jumped in to smooth things over.

"Hazel, you are misunderstanding! Mr. Hayes spent days planning this party for you. We all wanted to give you a surprise."

Desmond's face turned even uglier. He sounded very impatient now.

"Are you overthinking things? Her friends are just here to celebrate you. Stop making a big deal out of nothing."

My eyes grew slightly red, but my voice remained perfectly calm. "I am making a big deal out of nothing?"

"Desmond, why don't you ask yourself who this party is really for today?"

I didn't wait for his answer. I turned around and walked out the door without looking back.

Desmond stood frozen in place, the dark clouds on his face growing heavier.

Chloe stood beside him with her head down and whispered. "Mr. Hayes, did I do something wrong? Miss Vance seems… really mad."

"It has nothing to do with you," Desmond said stiffly, pulling a long face as he followed me out.

As soon as I sat down in my own apartment, the doorbell rang.

I got up to open the door and saw Desmond standing there. His face was livid.

"Hazel, what exactly do you want?" His voice was low and suppressed, like he was ready to explode. "I am already exhausted. Can you stop being so irrational?"

I leaned against the doorframe and stared right into his eyes. My voice was so soft it was almost a whisper. "Irrational?"

"Yes!" Desmond raised his voice, mixing his anger with deep exhaustion.

"I have been drowning in work lately. I even squeezed out time to prepare this party for you. Why can't you just be understanding?"

I froze. A moment later, I looked down and gave a bitter laugh.

"Desmond, do you remember when we first got together? I used to throw little tantrums all the time."

Desmond frowned but didn't answer.

"Back then, I asked if you found me annoying. You said no."

I looked up at him, my gaze so calm it was almost scary. "I never thought that after just a few years, you would find me irrational and exhausting."

Desmond opened his mouth. He seemed to want to say something, but no words came out.

I looked at him, gave a tired laugh, and slowly closed the door. "Go back. I don't want to fight anymore."

The door clicked shut, and my house returned to absolute silence.

Outside, Desmond stood frozen with a tight frown, but he didn't knock again.