The house had changed once again since I left.


    On the coffee table was a bag of half-eaten potato chips, and magazines were scattered messily on the couch. One of the magazines, open to a page, featured at close-up of a male celebrity''s face.


    I peeked over and saw a young-looking guy didn''t recognize. i wasn''t into celebrities, so I didn''t know him.


    Back in school, whenever someone rmended their favorite celebrity to me, I''d privately scoff, thinking no man could be better-looking than Nichs.


    I looked around and noticed udia''s belongings cluttering the living room. They were even on the floor. The ce looked chaotic. I frowned in displeasure.


    Just as I walked upstairs, I saw Nichs carrying udia through the door. Shel wore a bright pink dress with white stockings, and in Nichs'' arms, she looked like arge doll.


    I observed them while leaning on the stair railing. Nichs'' type seemed easy to guess-obedient, gentle, and endearing.


    I wasn''t sure if I was endearing back then, but I could always manage to be obedient and gentle.


    Reverting to my old ways wasn''t difficult. The moment I walked into the vi, memories from the past resurfaced.


    udia waved to me from downstairs. Her smile was particrly bright. In the past,. I''d have found her innocence charming, but now her smile seemed to carry a hidden meaning.


    After half a month apart, it felt like we had both forgotten things, and some matters had be unspoken understandings. She felt that what was past was gone and had be bolder.


    "Ariana, I thought you weren''ting back. The master bedroom is filled with my things now. I''ll move them outter."


    I curled my lips into a gracious smile. "The master bedroom has better sunlight. If you like it, go ahead and sleep there. I''ll just get some things and move to another room."


    As I turned, I felt a cold gaze from downstairs. I remembered how he used to teach me to walk slowly, so I controlled my pace to hide my emotions.


    T


    The sunlight in the bedroom was ring, so much so that my arm shook as I


    shlolded my eyes.


    My pillow, which had a matching pillowcase with Nichs'', had been tossed to the floor and reced by a pink, Ince-trimmed one.


    The bed wasrge enough for two people to turn overfortably, yet that pink. pillow was pressed tightly against Nichs'' pillow.


    I couldn''t help but wonder if Nichs had been sleeping so closely with udia during the countless nights I was away.


    I bent down to pick up the pillow, threw the pillowcase into theundry basket, and went downstairs.


    I found a guest room and moved from the top floor to the first floor. Coral Vi was sorge that I didn''t run into them until dinner time.


    Wendy was initially happy to see me, but as she pulled me into the kitchen, her expression soured.


    "Madam, you should reallye back and manage Ms. udia. She''s a grown woman but spends all her time in the master bedroom in pajamas. It''s quite inappropriate, but we can''t say much. Mr. Hawk says Ms. udia is ill and needs. care, but people gossip, and I''ve Wendy''s grip tightened on my hand, and she abruptly stopped speaking. "M-Mr. Hawk."


    I turned to see Nichs standing behind us. His dark eyes were sharp as he said. harshly, "Just make a list for Ariana to fire them."


    Holding a bowl of soup, I turned and smiled gently. "Alright."


    He was the one living a profligate life. Yet, he was afraid of others gossiping.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    At dinner, everything seemed to return to normal. Nichs sat at the head of the table, with udia and I on either side of him. We appeared as harmonious as a family.


    After dinner, I left them in the living room and went to my room alone. I was exhausted from the day''s events.


    When I was done washing up and about to turn off the lights, a figure suddenly appeared in the doorway. He pushed me against the wall.


    "I didn''t sleep with her." His words were edged with a biting tone.