Chapter 2

Laura didn't come home for several days, always claiming she was busy with wedding preparations whenever Ryder asked.

Three days later, the aroma of food filled the air as Ryder woke early in the morning.

Laura bustled about in the kitchen with a spatula in hand, wearing an apron. On the living room table sat a gift box.

"You're up! Breakfast will be ready soon. Sit down and relax. Oh, and that box on the table? It's a gift for you—open it and see if you like it," Laura said cheerfully.

Instead of opening the gift, Ryder asked, "What made you think of giving me a gift all of a sudden?"

Laura's eyes flickered nervously. "No reason. Do I need one to buy something for my soon-to-be husband?"

Ryder could see through her.

She was gambling—betting he hadn't overheard Seth's phone call or, if he had, that he didn't care.

She probably won that bet. Truthfully, he didn't care anymore.

He opened the gift box to reveal a flashy, expensive mechanical watch, the kind young men might find cool. Unfortunately, he preferred quartz watches.

This watch seemed like something Seth would love.

Ryder chuckled. "Your taste has changed quite a bit."

Laura froze, glancing at him from the kitchen. Her expression tightened with worry.

"But I like it," he added.

Relief softened her features. "As long as you like it."

Fuzzy, their cat, circled Laura's feet, meowing incessantly.

"Before the wedding, let's take Fuzzy for a family portrait," Laura suggested.

"Oh, sure—if you have time," Ryder replied.

Soon, the table was set with a spread of dishes.

Looking over the feast, Ryder smiled. "Quite the breakfast."

Laura removed her apron and sat beside him, reaching out as if to hug him.

Sensing her intent, Ryder moved slightly, creating a small gap between them.

Her hands hung awkwardly in midair before she pulled them back, her expression caught between embarrassment and forced cheer.

Something about Ryder felt different today. He wasn't sulking, as he might have in the past. Instead, he seemed unsettlingly calm.

Finally, Laura patted her legs lightly. "I've been so busy lately. I knew you'd be upset, so I did all this to make it up to you. Don't be mad, okay? I'm doing it for us—for the wedding."

Ryder turned to her with a faint smile. "I'm not mad. Let's eat."

Before he could pick up his utensils, the doorbell rang.

Laura jumped up to answer it.

As soon as the door opened, Seth's voice echoed, loud and clear. "Ta-da! Laura, you're so scatterbrained. You forgot the design plans again, so the project manager sent me to bring them over."

Laura froze momentarily, then quickly grabbed the plans from his hands, attempting to usher him out.

"What's the rush, Laura? It smells amazing in here. Are you having breakfast? I haven't eaten yet!" Seth said, clasping his hands together in exaggerated pleading.

Laura grew flustered, focused on pushing him out the door. "Seth, just go for now. I'll catch up with you later..."

"Is that Seth?" Ryder called from the dining table. "If you haven't eaten, come in and join us before you go."

Seth's face lit up in mock surprise. "Oh, Ryder! I didn't realize you were home. My bad, my bad. I thought you weren't here."

Ryder tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? This is my house. It's early morning. If I'm not here, where would I be?"

Seth faltered, his expression uneasy as he turned to Laura for support.

Laura glanced at Ryder, her brows knitting together briefly.

In the end, she didn't reprimand him. Instead, she allowed Seth inside.

"Ryder, Seth is just a kid. You're a grown man. Don't take it personally," she said with a faint smile.

Seth quickly added, "Yeah, Ryder. It was careless of me. Please don't hold it against me!"

Ryder said nothing, his expression impassive as he picked up his utensils and began eating.