Chapter 3

Clarissa Hart POV

A soft laugh interrupted us.

Adrian appeared at the auditorium entrance without warning.

He walked over slowly, still wearing that expensive suit, but his face no longer held the warmth from this morning.

His expression was dark, his gaze fixed on Callum.

For the first time, I saw such undisguised jealousy and possessiveness in his eyes.

I was confused.

The person he loved was Seraphina. Why bother putting on this devoted act in front of me?

"Care to introduce us?" Adrian walked to my side, positioning himself between me and Callum.

"This is my friend, Callum, a physics professor at MIT." After the introduction, I pointed to Adrian, my tone flat. "This is my husband, Adrian Caldwell."

The two men shook hands with composed expressions.

But I noticed that when they released their grip, both had clear red marks on the backs of their hands.

"Professor Hudson, I've heard so much about you." Adrian smiled without warmth. "I didn't realize my wife was so close to you that she'd make a special visit when returning to campus."

"You're too kind, Mr. Caldwell. Clarissa is a once-in-a-century genius in our physics department. We're friends." Callum was neither humble nor arrogant, his gaze straightforward.

"Callum, I need to go. We'll be in touch later." Sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere, I took the initiative to say goodbye to Callum.

Adrian and I left side by side without looking back. I didn't want to cause him trouble, so I didn't see the loneliness and concern in Callum's eyes after we turned away.

Adrian and I walked out of the auditorium into the sunlight, but the chill radiating from him didn't dissipate.

"What were you doing here?" Adrian demanded coldly.

"I just felt like visiting the campus," I said vaguely, then countered, "What about you? Was your urgent early meeting held at MIT?"

Adrian didn't answer. His expression grew even darker.

We reached the parking lot. I habitually walked toward the passenger side.

Adrian pressed the unlock button. I was about to open the door.

The window slowly rolled down, revealing a delicate, radiant face.

It was Seraphina Quinn.

She sat in the passenger seat-that position reserved for the lady of the house.

My hand froze on the door handle.

"I ran into a friend and caught up for a bit," Adrian said without missing a beat.

My gaze landed on the paper bag in his hand. It was red velvet cake from that famous shop behind campus.

I remembered it's was Seraphina's favorite.

His so-called urgent meeting was actually a trip down memory lane with his first love, revisiting their student days together.

Seraphina sat in the passenger seat and greeted me proactively, her tone intimate but her posture condescending. "Clarissa, what a coincidence running into you on campus."

She showed no intention of giving up her seat. Instead, she watched me with interest, her eyes carrying a subtle challenge.

I silently withdrew my hand, opened the rear door, and got in.

Throughout the drive, Seraphina chatted and laughed with Adrian as if I weren't there, reminiscing about their student days. She even took a piece of cake from the bag and held it up to Adrian's lips.

"Ahhh-" She let out a saccharine sound.

Adrian instinctively opened his mouth and took a bite.

"Ouch, you bit my finger." Seraphina withdrew her hand with coquettish reproach, though her eyes and expression were full of flirtation.

Through the rearview mirror, Adrian saw me in the back seat, expressionless.

I sat quietly against the window, my gaze fixed outside.

Panic flashed in his eyes. He awkwardly pushed away Seraphina as she leaned in again.

"Clarissa, do you want some?"

"No, thank you."

Seraphina immediately seized the opportunity.

"Adrian went through so much trouble to buy me this cake back in the day." She laughed, but her eyes locked onto mine through the rearview mirror.

"One time the dorm curfew had already locked the doors, but he climbed out the window anyway."

"He ended up hurting his leg in the fall. He limped for a week-all just to buy this for me."

She went on and on, flaunting all the love and devotion Adrian had once shown her.

She was waiting for a reaction.

Waiting for me to break down, get angry, or show even the slightest hint of jealousy.

But I remained silent. I leaned against the window, watching the scenery fly by outside, my thoughts already far away.

I was even thinking about what direction to take for my first research paper.

My complete lack of reaction made Seraphina's provocation fall flat. She had no choice but to give up resentfully.

She said to Adrian with sarcastic sweetness, "Your wife is so easygoing. So understanding."

Adrian laughed softly, though his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"She's very docile."