Chapter 2

I ignored him and walked straight past.

"Daisy."

He called my name, but I pretended not to hear and kept going.

He stepped quickly in front of me. "Are you still mad at me?"

I couldn't ignore him now.

I gave a cold laugh. "Do you think you matter that much?"

"Daisy, I'm sorry."

I smirked. "If sorry fixed things, why would we need police? Move. You're in my way."

Howard didn't budge. "Daisy, let me explain."

I slapped him hard. "You want me to listen now? Where was your explanation back then? What good is explaining? The pain you caused during my darkest days, can you make up for that now?" Three years ago, I wasn't the real Bailey family daughter. I still aren't. You explaining won't change that I can't help your career. You just want my forgiveness to ease your guilty conscience."

My barrage left Howard speechless.

He quietly stepped aside, clearing a path.

Without looking at him, I walked forward.

"I'm sorry." His apology came from behind, and I paused for a moment.

"Remember I'm your sister-in-law." With that, I left without looking back.

Three years ago, I didn't turn around. I wouldn't now.

Cristian approached, coming to find me.

"Let's go. I told Grandpa you're not feeling well. We'll come back another time." He spoke first.

I froze, then nodded.

In this situation, I couldn't sit through a meal with Howard.

After saying goodbye to Robin, Cristian drove me away.

I stared out the window the whole way.

"Regret it?" His voice, smooth as wine, drifted to me in the dark.

"No regrets." The streetlights flickered across my face.

Just like that night two years ago when I got Cristian drunk at the bar.

I hadn't planned to marry him at first.

I hated Howard, but I didn't intend to trade my future happiness for revenge.

Yet I still schemed against Cristian.

Why?

Maybe because after the real Bailey family daughter was found, no one cared about my rebellion.

When I felt I'd lost my family, I overheard Howard tell his friends I wasn't the true Bailey heiress and couldn't use the family's influence to help him.

The night I broke up with Howard, I got drunk at a bar and saw Cristian.

We barely knew each other then, with little interaction.

He saw me drunk but didn't stop me or bother me. He just stood quietly nearby, watching over me.

In that moment, I thought Cristian seemed decent.

Why should I waste my life on Howard?

Thinking back on my actions, I felt embarrassed.

Especially since the "forced" groom was right there, making me cringe so hard I could curl my toes.

Noticing my flushed face, Cristian chuckled softly.

His laugh made me even more mortified. I wanted to disappear into the car seat.

Suddenly, I realized something and corrected myself. "Wait, not regretting marrying you is one thing. Divorce is another."

"Alright." His voice was cool and clear, a faint smile in his eyes.

My face burned. I crossed my arms and sank into the seat.

Sensing my irritation, Cristian toned it down.

Back home, he headed to the kitchen to cook.

I stopped him. "It's late. Let's order takeout."

He rolled up his sleeves and walked in. "Takeout's not clean. It'll be quick."

I leaned against the kitchen door, watching his practiced movements.

His sharp jawline clashed with the red apron.

I remembered when we first married, he didn't know how to cook.

After learning about my stomach issues, he asked the cook for lessons.

He said my work meant I ate at odd times, so him cooking and bringing me food was convenient.

The cook once said I was lucky, that Cristian truly cared for me.

I said I knew.

But I wished that care was really for me.

Cristian moved with ease. Soon, the kitchen filled with the aroma of food.

My stomach growled unhelpfully.

He glanced at me, a smile tugging at his lips. "Almost done. Go sit."

I nodded. I was useless in the kitchen anyway.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a notification pop up on my phone. My face tensed.

A second later, I relaxed.

Cristian brought out a bowl of oyster ramen, my favorite, and set it in front of me.

"What happened to your hand?"

He pulled back quickly, but my eyes were sharp.

I noticed a red patch on his long fingers.

He shook his head lightly, unbothered. "It's nothing. I'll put some ointment on it. Eat up."

Watching him walk away, I sighed.

Even if he didn't say it, I knew he must have burned himself rushing to cook.

Cristian was making me feel even guiltier. What was I supposed to do with him?

While he applied the ointment, my thoughts wandered far.

He waved a hand in front of my face, snapping me back.

"What? Smell got you dazed?"

I coughed lightly to hide my embarrassment.

"Ella's flying to Florinthia tomorrow. Want to come see her off?"

"As her brother-in-law, I should be there."

"No, I'm asking if you want to go."

I emphasized the last few words to make sure he heard.

"I'm fine either way." He looked at me innocently.

Fine. Talking to a wall.

I glanced at him as he ate his noodles seriously. "I'm telling you, it's your call if you want to take this chance."

He smiled, his eyes curving. "I know. I love her."