Chapter 3

Jasper stiffened, his face complex.

Hazel sensed his change, pursed her lips, saying nothing.

The intimate atmosphere vanished without a trace.

"You only feel gratitude and guilt towards her, you don’t love her, right?" Hazel pressed urgently.

"Yes."

As Hazel was about to ask more, Jasper silenced her with a kiss.

She wrapped her arms around Jasper’s neck, face flushed, breathing heavily.

I felt like throwing up, tears welling up from sheer disgust.

Jasper, how dare you!

In our wedding house, doing such disgusting things with another woman!

I felt like my soul was being torn apart.

The home I had painstakingly built with anticipation was being defiled.

Hazel, lost in passion, reached to unbutton Jasper's shirt.

Just as they were about to go further, a cat’s meow interrupted them.

It was Whiskers.

The cat Jasper and I had raised for many years.

When we first started our business, we didn’t have much money.

We lived in a rundown apartment infested with mice and bugs.

I picked up the stray and brought it home.

Soon, it became an expert at catching mice and bugs.

One winter, when it was especially cold, Jasper and I almost got poisoned by a fire pit. Whiskers knocked it over and yowled, bringing neighbors to save us.

If I had known I’d die a wrongful death, I would have taken it with me.

Whiskers circled Jasper, meowing.

Hazel complained to Jasper about being interrupted by a cat.

"Jasper, you know I’m allergic to cat hair, right? Throw it out tomorrow!"

Jasper said nothing, just locked Whiskers in the cage.

With the mood spoiled, Hazel wanted to continue, but Jasper had lost interest.

He urged Hazel to sleep.

Jasper stood on the balcony for over half an hour, his phone constantly locking and unlocking.

The screen's light made his face appear more solemn.

Perhaps hearing Whiskers’ hoarse cries, worried about disturbing the person inside, he silently unlocked the cage.

Whiskers, now free, searched the house and stopped in my direction.

Whiskers can see me! This discovery made me both cry and laugh!

I waved at it, Whiskers ran over and rubbed against me, though confused when it couldn’t touch me, it was quickly entertained.

The kitten couldn’t speak, but it understood everything.

Jasper ignored Whiskers' strange actions, opened the fridge, and took out the beef sauce I made but didn’t finish.

I watched him expressionlessly cook noodles, cool them, add the sauce, and stir.

Finally, he topped it with scallions and served it.

Just like the bowl of noodles I once served him.

He ate intently, watching Whiskers jump around, for once a smile appeared on his lips.