Chapter 5
“Do you lik
you like Amy?”
Amelia followed his gaze and realized he had noticed her habit of marking books.
She instinctively lifted her hand to hide it and nodded in response to his question. “Yes.”
Many people in the legal field looked up to Amy.
She hastily changed the subject, afraid he’d ask again. “I was just thinking about getting some fresh air. What time is the recital? I’ll get change and come with you.”
Luckily, Owen didn’t press further. He simply nodded and went to wait for her in the car.
When they arrived at the musical theater, Melissa sent her assistant to take them to the VIP area.
“Mr. Hayes, we meet again! You’ve always supported Ms. Todd’s performances, no matter where they were. You even brought her flowers every time, which were her favorite! I used to assume you were single, but I had no idea you were married to such a lovely and beautiful woman. You’re really lucky.”
Amelia listened quietly. Only then did she realize that during all those times Owen had traveled abroad, it wasn’t for business, but to watch Melissa perform.
She lowered her head and remembered how the night before every one of his trips, she would carefully pack his luggage with new pairs of clothes,
and prepare pastries and snacks in case he didn’t like the food abroad.
She had always hoped his trips would be smooth, that he’d come back soon and safely.
But it turned out that Melissa was the only person he had been thinking about.
***
After the second half of the recital ended, Melissa booked a restaurant, saying she wanted to thank them properly.
Just as they arrived, Owen and Melissa ran into an old classmate at the
entrance.
Not wanting to keep Amelia waiting, they asked the owner to take her to the private room first.
The restaurant owner was very friendly and struck up a conversation with her.
“You must be friends with Mr. Hayes and Ms. Todd, right? The two of them used to come here often. After Ms. Todd departed overseas, only Mr. Hayes continued to visit. He always ordered a whole table of her favorite meals and sat alone until we closed. Now that she has returned, I presume they’ll be married soon.”
Upon hearing that, Amelia forced a stiff smile. “Maybe.”
Owen and Melissa eventually returned.
As usual, he ordered a full table of food and handed the menu to the
waiter.
When the food came, he put on gloves and started shelling the crab, habitually reaching out to place it in front of Melissa.
Chuner 5
Seeing this, Melissa was stunned for a moment. She glanced at Amelia and reminded him softly. “It’s Amelia’s first time here. Let her try it first.”
Owen’s hand paused mid–air, then shifted direction and handed the crab to Amelia.
It was the first time he had served her like this since they got married, but only because of Melissa.
Looking at the neatly arranged crab meat on her plate, Amelia said calmly. “I’m allergic to seafood. I can’t eat crab.”
A frown appeared on Owen’s face. “You’re allergic to seafood? Then why did you always cook fish and shrimp?”
“Because you liked it.”
The room fell silent. Noticing the tension, Melissa quickly changed the subject to smooth things over.
Owen also joined in the topic, and the two of them continued chatting among themselves.
Meanwhile, Amelia remained silent and quietly ate her meal.
“Then, the waiter brought over a pot of tomato soup. Just then, two children came running and bumped into the cart and toppled it.
The steaming soup spilled straight toward Melissa and Amelia.
In the moment of crisis, Owen instinctively pulled Melissa into his arms.
“Ah!”
Amelia was left completely drenched in the hot soup. Her whole body was enveloped in steam, turning her skin red as large yellow blisters began forming on them. It was horrifying to look at.
The searing pain made her cry. Owen’s pupils contracted. He was about to step forward to check on her when he heard Melissa cry out softly behind.
him.
He immediately turned around and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”
Tears pooled in Melissa’s eyes as she sobbed, “Some of the soup splashed on my fingertip. It hurts.”
Hearing that, his expression changed, and he immediately lifted her into his arms. Then, he turned to Amelia and said, “Go to the hospital by yourself. Melissa’s hands are made for playing the piano–she can’t afford any injury.”
Without waiting for a reply, he carried Melissa away without sparing Amelia another glance.
Amelia could no longer hold back her tears as she watched his retreating figure.
She arrived at the hospital alone, covered in blisters. After her wounds were treated, she spent a few days in the hospital to recover.
When the nurses came for their rounds, they would sometimes gossip a little.
“I heard that the person staying in the VIP ward is a pianist! She only burned a small part of her fingertip, but her boyfriend stayed beside her the entire time. He even called in a bunch of specialists for consultations. He also personally accompanied her for dressing changes and follow–up exams, and he even fed her. It seems like he’s terrified something might ruin her career.”
“There were a few times when I had night shifts and saw him sitting by her bedside, holding her hand and gently kissing it. The way he looked at her was so full of love that it was hard to look away. I heard he’s a very
impressive lawyer–and so handsome, too. He and that beautiful, graceful. pianist really are a match made in heaven!”
Amelia listened quietly. Her heart had long gone numb, with no trace of
emotion.
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