I got back to Crestview Metropoliste, so I ended up riding back to the apartment with Max. But when we got there, Tracey was waiting right at his apartment door.


    "Max, the productunch is tomorrow. n cared deeply about this project, so I came over tonight to discuss some details."


    Tracey ignored me, prompting me to tilt my head toward Max and say, "Should I make myself scarce? But I''m so hungry. You did say we''d have dinner together for the rest of our lives, didn''t you?" I pouted, feigning dissatisfaction.


    Max''s eyes sparkled with amusement, but his tone was cold and unaffected when he turned to Tracey. "The productunch is all set."


    Tracey seemed eager to say more, but Max asked me, "Weren''t you going to cook? We''re out of groceries. Let''s get some."


    With that, the tall figure turned and pulled me into the elevator. As the doors closed, I glimpsed Tracey''s scowling face.


    Suddenly, I let go of Max''s hand andughed coldly, "Aren''t you afraid she''ll try to kill me?"


    Max frowned slightly. "She won''t get the chance."


    I doubted his confidence, considering the car ident was her doing.


    I wanted to ask about his engagement to Tracey but didn''t. Whether they were engaged, I was determined to make Tracey pay for her past and present deeds.


    Once we reached the ground floor, I suggested, "Let''s not cook. I''m craving a beef stew."


    His pristine demeanor probably hadn''t experienced beef stew before.


    "Sure." But he agreed.


    "Max, can I join you?" Always one to push her way in, Tracey followed us out.


    Before Max could decline, I smiled. "Of course, the more the merrier."


    Max gave a slight smile in agreement.


    I chose a navigated route to a rundown but famous beef stew ce. It was close to the orphanage where Richard used to take me. I doubted Tracey hadn''t been there.


    "Max, this ce looks ancient. Even if it''s tasty, isn''t the hygiene a bit concerning?" Tracey didn''t outright express her disdain, but she was ufortable. Max remained silent, his usual reticent self, ignoring what he preferred to neglect.


    "It''s delicious. When I was at the orphanage, Richard loved bringing me here." I deliberately mentioned the orphanage and Richard, curious how Tracey would react.


    But she casually helped Max with his te as if they''d always been quietly close. Max didn''t refuse her help.


    As I got up to prepare the dressings, Tracey followed. For some reason, having her behind me felt like handing over my life. It was too dangerous.


    Indeed, she came beside me and threatened, "Leave Max, leave Silveke City, and I''ll give you money."


    I didn''t even look at her. "Why should I?"


    Tracey snapped, "Because I grew up with Max. Plus, I''m the fiancée the Hiltons picked for him, thanks to n''s choice."


    "Oh." What could I say?


    She spoke the truth.


    "You''re not right for Max. He''s different from others," Tracey suddenly said seriously, grabbing the hand I was using to pick up dressings.


    "What''s so different? He''s moreBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    normal than you. At least he doesn''t


    think about killing people while you''re obsessed with it." My voice rose slightly, remembering how, in a past life, she was the one who cut thest thread of my life, leading to the death of my child.