Chapter 2

Celine’s delicate figure trailed closely behind him, the two of them each carrying bags of household supplies. from the supermarket. They looked just like a young couple moving in together.

Just then, Aunt Mina came down to greet me and saw the scene. She was about to speak up when I interrupted her. “Mom’s gifts for you have arrived. Be sure to check the expiration dates, don’t let anything go bad.

I didn’t look at Lucas even once, though this time he, surprisingly, took the initiative to explain.

“Ellie, don’t misunderstand. Celine’s previous neighborhood wasn’t safe, so I found her a new place. I didn’t realize your aunt lives here, too. By the way, why did you buy so much stuff?”

As I directed the driver to bring up the deliveries, I replied nonchalantly, “You don’t need to tell me about your work. My mom bought this stuff; we don’t know when we’ll be back, so she got a lot.”

Seeing I hadn’t misunderstood, Lucas looked visibly relieved.

“No problem. The North Suburb isn’t far. Just let me know anytime you want to come over.”

He still didn’t know I was moving back for good, and I had no plans to tell him.

Aunt Mina was going to speak, but seeing how carefully Lucas was looking after Celine, her expression turned grim.

The four of us stood there awkwardly until Celine, looking tired, finally broke the silence.

Lucas immediately told the driver to pause the delivery, saying they had fewer things and could use the elevator first. Seeing the bags of household items he was carrying, I stepped aside to let them go.

Lucas looked briefly surprised, then hurriedly stepped into the elevator.

As the doors closed, I couldn’t help but see a glimpse of my former self in Celine. Back when my aunt first moved, Lucas had been just as attentive, running errands and taking care of me, moving all my things into his home with a smile, saying he was welcoming his “future lady of the house.”

Watching the elevator, Aunt Mina sighed with some regret.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to ask him? You’ve known each other for so long. It would be a shame to break up over a misunderstanding.”

I shook my head. “No need. There’s no misunderstanding between us. He never lets one last overnight. If he hasn’t explained, then that’s it.”

Lucas and Celine didn’t actually have that much to carry; they could’ve finished it all in one trip. But even after I delivered the things to my aunt and said my goodbyes, he was still nowhere to be seen downstairs.

Out of courtesy to an old friend, I pulled out my phone and sent him a quick message, asking when he’d be back. Almost immediately, he replied with a voice message. I clicked on it, and Celine’s sweet voice came through. “Ellie, Lucas is helping me fix the electrical wiring here. This place has never been lived in, so there’s a lot to tidy up. You should go home first, don’t let us hold you up!”

Just as I was about to close the app and call a cab, she sent another message.

“By the way, Ellie, please don’t overthink it. Lucas is just helping me out. He just felt sorry for me because I’m living all alone in this big city.”

Thinking of my own parents, who had moved far away years ago, I swallowed back my words and closed the chat.

After getting into the cab and gazing absentmindedly out the window, Lucas called.

“Ellie, why were you so harsh with Celine? She’s my subordinate, and I was just helping her find a place to live. The company hasn’t arranged accommodation yet, isn’t it normal for me to help?”

“Since when did you start acting like this, huh? At the birthday party, you were sulking, saying you didn’t feel well and wanted to leave. I haven’t even addressed that, and now you’re causing trouble again?”

I could hear Celine’s soft sobs through the phone.

Her demeanor in front of me was nothing like the sweet, innocent junior Lucas described.

Taking a deep breath, I finally understood her intentions but was too tired to defend myself.

“Yeah, you’re right. My bad. I was just asking. Don’t worry, I’m already back home. I didn’t wait for you.”

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