Warmth returned to her body as Serena ced the little calico cat in her room.


    Seeing Hugh dragging his suitcase over, she asked, "How was your business trip?"


    "It went well." A little exhausting. He had wanted toe back as soon as possible.


    Hugh nced deeply at Serena, then shifted his gaze toward the living room, where scattered dishes and an opened box of porcinsy. The packaging looked freshly unsealed.


    Inside were the exact pieces from the photos Samuel had sent him—a gift meant for him.


    Hugh stopped in his tracks. But when he saw the little calico startpping at the water inside one of the porcin bowls, a cold glint shed in his eyes.


    Samuel had been talking nonsense.


    He was about to turn away when Serena noticed his gaze and couldn''t help but ask, "What do you think of the porcin bowl for the cat?"


    "It looks nice." He didn''t like it.


    A chill started to spread around him.


    Serena, oblivious, picked up the two cups from the entryway and handed them to him.


    "I made these just for you. Last time, I only gave you a small charm-it was too simple. So this time, I took the opportunity while working at your friend''s ce to craft these two blue ripple-patterned cups. They match the decor of your home." The cups were cool to the touch, but Hugh''s mood noticeably improved. Even watching the little calico drink water no longer annoyed him.


    He finallymented, "They look good."


    Serena let out a quiet sigh of relief. It was great that Hugh liked them.


    She reached for the small bag from his suitcase.


    "It''s good that you like them. Let me help you organize your luggage. The sooner we finish, the sooner you can rest-consider it my thank-you for helping me find the cat."


    Hugh didn''t refuse.


    Once they finished unpacking, and Serena had left, Hugh fell into a deep sleep, as if making up for all the nights of insomnia from his business trip-nights spent unable to see her.


    ...


    The next day, Serena went to a men''s clothing store in the shopping mall.


    Yesterday, because Hugh had helped her search for the cat, his silk shirt had been ruined. So, she nned to buy him a new one aspensation.


    As soon as she walked in, a sales assistant warmly approached her. "Miss, are you picking out clothes for your boyfriend?"


    "Something like that." They were legally married, so acknowledging their rtionship wasn''t a big deal.


    She followed the sales assistant to browse the new collection of dress shirts.


    Meanwhile, two aisles away, Wendy tightened her grip on Zach''s arm. "Zach, I think I just saw Serena. Why would she be in a men''s clothing store? Is she buying clothes for Hugh? Or for that man who took her awayst time?"


    Zach turned his head and saw Serena chatting with the store clerk.


    In the past, Serena used toe to men''s stores alone to pick out clothes for him. Who was she here for today?


    Taking Wendy with him, he walked straight over and asked directly, "Who are you picking clothes for?"


    That familiar voice made Serena''s face darken.


    Him.


    Again.


    She turned slightly, about to reply, but before she could, the sales assistant answered for her, "Thisdy is choosing a dress shirt for her boyfriend."


    Good. Saved her the trouble of exining.


    Serena didn''t even nce back and continued browsing the selection.


    But upon hearing that, Zach''s expression brightened. After all, he was the only one who had ever been her official boyfriend.


    He strode forward in just a few steps, smiling gently. "Rena, I didn''t expect you to still remember to pick out clothes for me."