Chapter 2

Worry flashed across Nicholas' face when he saw the neglected glass of milk on the table. "Why didn't you drink it? Was it because I came back too late? I'll warm up another glass for you."

He soon returned with another glass of milk while explaining, "The reason why I came back late was because I was preparing the fireworks for you. But I might be busy for the next few days, so you don't have to wait for me if I come back late."

Quinn accepted the glass of milk, yet she did not drink it.

Nicholas never came home late in the past—until one day when he hadn't returned all night. All her calls couldn't go through, and she spent the entire night looking for him.

When he returned the next day, he explained that he had been caught up with a project. He had fallen asleep in a nearby hotel after finishing the deal.

Back then, Quinn had naively believed that Nicholas was really working—she even felt sorry for him for a long time.

It wasn't until two days ago that she learned that it was the same day Jasmine had joined his company.

Before this, Quinn was only aware that Nicholas used to love his first love a lot, but she ended up leaving him for money.

He had been stuck in that past relationship, unable to move on, until he met Quinn. From then on, he became obsessed with her.

Quinn felt that Nicholas did not fit into any of the qualities she was looking for in her ideal partner.

However, she gradually began to waver under his passionate and persistent pursuit. She even gave up her research career for him.

And yet, Nicholas dealt her a crushing blow at the point when Quinn loved him the most.

Looking at his gentle smile, she felt as if she was suffocating. She only felt better when she averted her gaze to look out the window.

"What's wrong, Quinn? Are you feeling unwell?" Concerned, Nicholas grabbed her hand, only to realize that her ring was missing. "Where's your ring?"

Quinn was about to explain when her gaze fell on his hand. She chuckled softly and retorted, "Where's yours?"

Nicholas only noticed that his ring was missing then. He tried to hide his hand in a hurry, looking pale as he started explaining. "It might have been stolen during the party with so many guests around."

"Is that so?" Quinn thought his excuse was flimsy and ridiculous. She wondered if he truly thought she was a fool.

She used to love and trust him, willingly being kept in the dark. But she no longer wanted to be that fool anymore.

"Who knows, it might have been left in the car instead," Quinn said.

Nicholas suddenly felt diffident when he met her gaze.

Quinn did not want to press on the matter further. Just as she was about to sleep, Linda came knocking on her door.

"Haven't I told you guys not to disturb Quinn at night no matter what?" Nicholas said.

"Jasmine said that something urgent came up, and she has to see you tonight, Mr. York," Linda replied.

Nicholas' hand trembled slightly upon the mention of Jasmine's name. He glanced at Quinn, about to explain himself.

However, Quinn interrupted him and said, "You should go. She probably really wants to see you."

Seeing his anxious gaze, she then added, "Her rising fame might come crashing down if something really happened to the company."

Nicholas visibly relaxed upon hearing her words. He gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders and said, "You can head to bed first, I'll be back soon."

Shortly after he left, Quinn received an anonymous message. It read: "Look out of the window. Mr. York has prepared a visual treat for you."

She walked to the window. Instead of looking up to the sky, she looked downward.

Jasmine was holding onto Nicholas from the swing in the garden, kissing him repeatedly.

That spot wasn't visible from anywhere else, but Quinn could see everything clearly from her room.

Jasmine hugged Nicholas before pushing him down to sit on the swing. She then stood up and glanced upward, meeting Quinn's gaze.

At that moment, Quinn knew that Jasmine was doing it on purpose—she was the one who sent Quinn the message.

Nicholas seemed anxious, wanting to comfort Jasmine and get her to leave. However, she took out his ring from her pocket.

He reached out for it, but she put the ring onto her own finger. She then took a photo of it.

Soon enough, Quinn saw the photo on Jasmine's social media. The caption read: "It seems like he'll never refuse a request from me."

She continued to scroll up and came across a photo posted ten days ago. The caption read: "A glass of hot milk before bed—truly a bad habit someone has spoiled me with."

A wave of bitterness spread across her heart. What she had thought was care from him was once a privilege enjoyed by Jasmine.

Quinn's heart throbbed painfully. She steadied herself by grabbing onto a chair but ended up falling onto the ground.

Nicholas came rushing up shortly after he heard the loud commotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as soon as he saw the bleeding cut from the glass shards on her arm.

He cried out, "You're hurt, Quinn! Let me get you to the hospital!"