Over the next few days, Theodore stayed at the hospital to care for Calista as promised.
He arrived on time every day, brought her light meals, and changed her dressings. He would even silently hold her hand when she woke up from the pain in the middle of the night.
The Calista she used to be would have been overjoyed, but now her heart felt utterly desolate. She realized that although she had loved him for six years, letting go took only an instant.
On the day of Calista's discharge, she reached the parking lot only to find Aveline sitting in Theodore's car. Upon spotting her, Aveline shot her a sidelong glance, her expression sour.
Theodore frowned. "Ave, did you forget what I told you before?"
Aveline bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears as she murmured a reluctant apology, "Calista, I'm sorry. I acted too impulsively. Ever since Theodore married you, he's refused to see me for years. He devoted all his attention to you, so I took my anger out on you. I won't do it again."
Theodore turned to Calista and said calmly, "Ave wants to stay at our place for a few days. You two should try to get along from now on."
On the drive back, Theodore and Aveline sat in the front.
Calista leaned against the window, silently watching the scenery blur past. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Theodore's profile. He had always been composed and restrained, yet now his gaze kept drifting toward Aveline.
Aveline looked down at her phone and suddenly giggled. "Theodore, look at this guy. Isn't he handsome? He just added me on Snapchat."
Theodore's fingers tightened instantly around the steering wheel, his voice dropping to a low, cold tone. "Delete him."
Aveline pouted. "Why? I'm in my 20s. Am I not allowed to date?"
His tone left no room for argument. "I said delete him."
Aveline pursed her lips but still obediently deleted the contact. She muttered under her breath, "Theodore, you're stricter than a boyfriend."
Theodore remained silent, yet Calista noticed the tension in his jaw and realized that he was jealous.
After they returned home, Calista skipped dinner and went straight to her room.
She heard the clatter of dishes, Aveline's giggles, and the lingering romantic background music of a movie drifting in from beyond the door. In the two years of her marriage to Theodore, she had never experienced such warmth in their house. She buried herself under the covers, her heart aching.
After a while, the sounds outside gradually faded. Thirsty, Calista got up to pour herself some water, but she froze the moment she opened her door.
Moonlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Theodore crouched beside the couch, silently watching the sleeping Aveline. He had always seemed as untouchable as a god, yet in that moment, he was gazing at his own deity.
Aveline suddenly stirred and sleepily wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice soft and sweet. "Theodore, don't leave me. You're the only one who cares about me."
She unconsciously pulled his head down, and their lips met accidentally.
Theodore's pupils dilated as his breathing turned uneven in an instant. In the next second, as if his final thread of restraint had snapped, he could no longer hold back and leaned down to kiss her passionately.
