Chapter 3

Cecily returned home in a blur.

When she saw the painting on the living room wall, all her pent-up frustrations and fury suddenly broke out.

She rushed over, tore it down forcefully, and threw it out.

The next day, she was awakened by Chris.

He was pressing heavily on her and gently kissing her eyelids. "Wake up, sweetheart. Didn't we have an appointment to take our wedding photos today?"

A strange fragrance wafted into Cecily's nose.

It was the same as the perfume Emily wore yesterday.

Cecily snapped awake and shoved Chris away. "I'm not doing it."

Chris was puzzled. "What's wrong? We had an appointment three months ago, didn't we? Didn't you say that the photographer always had a packed schedule and that it was hard to have an appointment with him? I specially cleared my schedule for this."

Cecily said angrily, "I said I didn't want to do it. Can't you understand?"

Chris was shocked by Cecily's unusual attitude and grabbed her arm to get to the bottom of it.

"Ouch!" Cecily cried out in pain, and her face turned pale.

Only then did Chris notice the thick bandage wrapped around her forearm. "You're injured? When did it happen?"

Cecily looked at his bewildered face and softened her tone. "The pot of soup spilled all over me yesterday, Chris. Did you really not see it?"

Chris's expression changed. "Cecily, why are you always so melodramatic? Just because Emily accidentally burned her hand yesterday and I took her to the hospital, do you really need to make such a big deal out of this?"

The unfounded accusation hit Cecily hard.

When she was a student, someone had casually remarked that she was pampered.

Chris had dragged that guy into a fight and nearly gotten himself into serious trouble.

But he was using such words to humiliate her now.

Before she could retort, Chris stormed out angrily.

Cecily felt so aggrieved and got up. Her hand brushed against something.

Chris had accidentally left his phone on the bed.

The lock screen displayed a notification from ten minutes ago.

It was from Smax Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. "Dear Ms. Emily Nash, please remember your prenatal appointment tomorrow at 10:30."

Cecily suddenly felt dizzy, and her stomach was in knots. She rushed to the bathroom.

Not long after, Chris entered again.

He seemed oblivious to anything unusual and asked on entering, "Where's the painting? "Where's the painting? The one that was hanging in the living room."

Cecily was still retching and couldn't respond.

Only then did Chris notice her unusual demeanor. His tone was softened. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Cecily pushed away his outstretched hand and washed her face with cold water repeatedly. She tried to calm herself. "I threw the painting away."

"You threw it away? Where did you throw it? How could you throw away my stuff?"

Cecily looked up at him, and her eyes were deep and serious. "Is that painting really so important to you? My studio is full of paintings. Can't you just hang another one? Or is the one who gifted it to you really special?"

Chris rubbed his temples irritably. "You were never so petty. There is nothing between Emily and me. Are you letting your imagination get the best of you? Don't you realize that we're having more trouble communicating lately?"

He paused and awkwardly changed the subject. "Since you canceled the appointment for taking the wedding photos, don't reschedule it for now. I have to go on a business trip tomorrow."

"Where are you going?"

Chris avoided her gaze and muttered, "To Smax."

Cecily watched calmly as Chris packed his luggage. "My art exhibition opens next week. Will you come?"

Chris brushed it off, saying, "I might not make it, but I'll catch the live stream to cheer you on."

Cecily offered to drive him to the railway station, but Chris repeatedly refused her.

He told her that he was leaving early the next morning and didn't want to trouble her.

Cecily became more suspicious.

The next day, after Chris left, Cecily called the college where he worked. "Hello, I'd like to inquire about Professor Chris Lambert's schedule. We're hoping to invite him for a lecture."

The administrative members of the staff on the other end politely replied, "Professor Chris Lambert is getting married and has been on leave since this week. Is there anything I can pass along for you?"