chapter 4

I continued, "What? Am I just supposed to be part of your little game?"

Valerian's face instantly flushed red as he shot back, "It's not like that between me and Beatrix.

"I swear to you, I've never even thought of her as a woman."

Then he frowned, acting all vulnerable again.

He continued, "Nadia, we like each other so much. How can you bear to give up on me?

"We're good together, aren't we? We have fun."

I turned my face away, refusing to look at him.

Valerian had a point.

I'd had a lot of fun being his girlfriend these past two years.

Valerian was easy on the eyes, knew how to treat me right, and had a great sense of humor.

Honestly, if it weren't for the whole "girl bro" thing with Beatrix, I could have seen a future with him.

Seeing me lost in thought, he moved closer, putting on a pitiful act. "Just forgive me this once, okay?

"You love my cooking, remember? I made you soup and all your favorite dishes. Come home and have some, please?"

I took a good look at that handsome face of his, and my heart softened a bit.

Okay, maybe one meal wouldn't hurt.

After all, I was leaving this city in two weeks anyway.

I was originally sent out here for work.

I'd already stuck around over a year longer than planned because of Valerian.

Now it was time to transfer back to headquarters.

After what went down three days ago, I didn't hesitate at all about going back.

A relationship with Valerian was never part of my plan in the first place.

There was no need for us to have a huge blowup.

Tonight could be our farewell dinner—a clean break, no hard feelings.

But I never expected Beatrix to find a way to disgust me even during a simple meal.

It wasn't my first time at Valerian's place.

But something clearly felt very different this time.

It was like the place had a hidden mistress, marking her territory everywhere.

The signs were everywhere: pink slippers that weren't mine at the entrance, matching toothbrush cups in the bathroom, and a lacy bra thrown over the couch.

I took it all in with a straight face, until Valerian came out from the kitchen.

"Nadia, food's ready!" he called.

When I didn't move, he came over.

The moment he spotted the bra on the couch, he panicked, his face flushing as he launched into a flustered explanation. "Nadia, it's not what you think.

"Beatrix's company has her streaming super late these days. My place is closer to her office, so she crashed here for two nights.

"But I swear, nothing happened between us."