Chapter 4The Secret in the Study

When I woke up the next day,

I had huge, dark circles under my eyes.

Arthur was already on the phone with my dad.

Hearing that we were coming to stay for a few days,

My dad happily announced he was going to slaughter a chicken to make soup.

The two of them chatted casually on the phone, the familiar atmosphere making it seem like we were truly a real family.

I packed my luggage with mixed feelings.

Actually, Arthur treated me quite well.

He supported my continuing to paint.

He didn't make unreasonable demands just because he saved my family from ruin.

On the contrary, he respected me deeply.

Everyone outside thought we had a profound connection, a couple to be envied.

I had even developed feelings for him.

But he attributed all his kindness to repaying a debt of gratitude.

I had to wonder, maybe he just saw me as a younger sister he was taking care of.

Aside from a marriage certificate, we had absolutely no real connection.

But now, the thought of my nightgown potentially hidden in his suitcase made my skin crawl.

His serious, upright demeanor was entirely an act!

I closed my suitcase, suppressing my complicated emotions.

I resolved that once we got back from my dad's, I would put an end to this absurd marriage.

The drive back took almost six hours.

Arthur was a bit of a germaphobe.

So I didn't open a single snack from the huge bag he had bought me.

I lay in the backseat, playing games on my phone.

Arthur watched me through the rearview mirror.

"Is there nothing you like?"

Wrong.

He bought all my favorites.

But this was his car, and I had to respect his germaphobia.

So I lied:

"Oh, I'm not hungry."

Halfway there, Arthur pulled into a rest stop.

When I came out of the restroom, he was standing under a camphor tree, talking on the phone.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, shining down on him.

Without his suit jacket, wearing just a dress shirt, Arthur looked a bit more youthful.

He flicked the ash from his cigarette, brought it to his lips, and took a deep drag.

He tilted his head back, exhaling the smoke.

His usually rigid posture relaxed in that moment.

When he glanced sideways and saw me, a faint smile played on his lips.

"Alright, I'm hanging up. Call me if anything comes up."

This gentle, modest appearance...

Definitely an act too!

As soon as I got in the car, I covered myself with my coat and pretended to sleep.

Terrified he would try to talk to me.

Arthur drove very steadily.

While pretending to sleep, I actually fell asleep.

When I woke up, my dad had already opened the car door and was welcoming me out.

"Chloe, you slept the whole way! You didn't even take a turn driving so Arthur could rest?"

Before I could even speak,

Arthur looked at me, smiled, and said:

"It's fine. She's not familiar with my car. It's better to let her sleep."

"Sleeping so much during the day, will you even be able to sleep tonight?"

Arthur said softly:

"If she can't sleep, then she won't. It's a rare vacation."

A seemingly casual remark.

Yet it sent a chill down my spine.

I quickly got out of the car and bolted toward the courtyard.

As soon as I walked in, the rich aroma of chicken soup hit me.

"Dad, I'm starving. Let's eat."

"Okay, okay, okay. You two can taste your old man's cooking. Arthur, take her to wash her hands. Keep an eye on her so she doesn't try to sneak a bite!"

Arthur, carrying my suitcase, followed my dad and smiled in agreement:

"Sure, I'll keep an eye on her."

Hearing Arthur's voice, I tensed up.

As soon as he walked in, I quickly hurried out.

Awkward.

It was just too awkward.