"What did you say? Break up?" Ynda looked up at him, bewildered, even wondering if she had misheard him.


    "Ynda, let''s break up. I''ll give our parents an exnation, so you won''t be put in a difficult position," Bet said calmly, with no hint of a joke in his voice.


    Ynda''s body trembled involuntarily. Losing control of her emotions, she


    demanded, "You''re breaking up with me for some ssless woman? Bet, have you lost your mind?"


    Bet just stared at her, his face impassive.


    Ynda seemed to realize she had lost herposure. She managed to pull herself together, reverting to her usual soft and vulnerable demeanor. "Ben," she choked out, "we''ve always been so good together. Why break up? I don''t want to! Can''t you just end things with her? If you do, I''ll forgive you."


    "I''m sorry, but I love her," Bet stated inly, his gaze clear and honest.


    "Bet!" Ynda cried his name, nearly hysterical. She instinctively reached for his hand, but he moved it away.


    "Then what about me? Do you love me?"


    Bet looked at her in silence, his obsidian eyes beautiful but resolute.


    He didn''t answer, but at a time like this, silence was an answer in itself.


    Ynda let out a bitterugh, then turned and ran back to the vi, sobbing.


    Mrs. Walker was instructing the maid to prepare a few more dishes. As was customary, Bet would usually stay for lunch.


    "Bet and Ynda don''t really like organ meats, so skip the liver and intestines. Add a spicy crab instead..." Mrs. Walker''s sentence trailed off as she saw Ynda dash into the house.


    "Ynda, why are you back so soon? I thought you two would be going out on a date."


    However, Ynda ignored her motherpletely, running up the stairs while crying. "Ynda, what happened?" Mrs. Walker asked, worried and confused.


    But Ynda had already disappeared into her room, mming the door shut with a bang.


    "Why did Yndae back crying? Where''s Bet?" Mrs. Walker had to ask the maid.


    "Mr. Thompson said he had matters


    to attend to at the base and would


    visit you and the mister another day, the maid reported, having juste in from outside


    Mrs. Walker''s expression darkened, and she headed upstairs.


    ...


    After leaving the Walker residence, Bet first returned to his military base, only getting back to Cherry Apartment in the evening.


    As he stood downstairs, he saw Yvonne with Bullet, who was frolicking on thewn.


    The setting sun cast a soft, golden glow over them.


    "Bullet," Bet called out softly.


    Bullet''s ears perked up. Upon hearing Bet''s voice, he immediately ran over and sat


    obediently at his feet, like a private


    seeing a drill sergeant a stark


    contrast to the carefree dog that had


    been ying with Yvonne


    It was like he was apletely different person-no, apletely different dog.


    "Bet, what are you doing back?" Yvonne asked, surprised.


    "Am I not allowed back?" Bet smiled warmly, bending down to ruffle the fur on Bullet''s big head.


    Bullet panted, looking overwhelmed by the affection. What''s gotten into the master today? Why is he suddenly so gentle?!


    Something was definitely off. The dog subtly shuffled his front paws, inching back towards Yvonne.


    Yvonne attached Bullet''s leash and walked with Bet into the apartment building.


    Inside the apartment, Helen was in


    the kitchen, wearing an apron and


    to see


    cooking. She was together


    Bet and Yvone return together