Chapter 1

Three of us were having dinner. Hudson took the menu and looked at Fiona first.

"Your stomach has been sensitive lately. Should we order something light?"

Fiona pouted, whining that she wanted something spicy.

He chuckled. "Fine, but only mild spicy."

I sat across from them, remaining silent.

I had been battling a severe stomach ulcer for three months. Last week, I sent him my follow-up report. He only replied with a single word: [Okay.]

The waitress turned to me. "And for you, sweetie?"

"Anything is fine," I said.

Soon, the table was filled with spicy dishes.

Hudson picked up his fork and knife, carefully flaking off a piece of grilled fish, and placed it into Fiona's plate. "Careful, it's hot."

I held my glass of lukewarm water, staring at his profile.

Three years ago, he used to treat me with the exact same tenderness.

I used to think those sweet habits belonged to me. I didn't know habits could pack up and move to someone else.

He looked up and glanced at me. "Why aren't you eating?"

"Not hungry."

He frowned. "Your attitude has been getting weirder and weirder lately."

I didn't reply.

It wasn't a weird attitude. It was just that I had stopped telling him what I wanted to eat a long time ago.

Speaking up was pointless anyway, so I eventually chose silence.