Chapter 4

At twelve noon, Julian hadn't returned. I received a text from him.

【Chloe's wound is indeed a bit infected and needs attention. It might be a while before I can get back. Go ahead and eat without me, don't wait up.】

I stared at the message, my finger hovering over the screen for a few seconds before I turned the screen off without replying a single word.

The day Chloe was discharged was her birthday.

Julian had mentioned it to me days in advance.

"Chloe just lost her father recently, and she doesn't have any family or friends here. I want to throw her a birthday party, just to lift her spirits a bit."

I was sorting through my gear list for the Africa trip and didn't even look up. "Sure, do you need me to help arrange it?"

Julian paused; he had expected me to be unhappy.

"You don't mind?" he probed.

"Mind what?" I looked up, my eyes clear. "It's normal to celebrate a friend's birthday. Besides, Ms. Quinn really has been through a lot lately—losing her father and having surgery."

My tone was so natural that one couldn't find fault with it, yet Julian felt inexplicably that something was wrong.

He didn't have me help arrange the party.

On the day of the birthday, everyone who showed up was an old classmate of both Chloe and Julian.

As Julian's girlfriend, I was naturally on the guest list.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

"I say," a slightly tipsy guy stood up, raising his glass, "Our Director Sterling and Ms. Quinn were the 'golden couple' back in medical school! You two have to do an interlocking-arm toast to reminisce about the good old days!"

A roar of teasing broke out in the private room.

Julian frowned. "Cut it out, Wendy is right here."

"What about Wendy?" another girl interjected. "Wendy is a cool person! Right, Wendy?"

Everyone looked at me.

I didn't seem to care. "Sure, why not? It's a birthday—having fun is what matters."

Amidst the teasing, Julian and Chloe picked up their glasses.

Their arms were linked, and they were close enough to smell each other's breath.

Chloe’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining as she looked at Julian, while Julian’s expression was complex, his gaze drifting toward me involuntarily.

I held up my phone, taking a photo.

My lens was pointed at them as if I were photographing a couple that had nothing to do with me.

Julian’s heart sank.

After the toast, applause and whistles filled the room.

Julian set his glass down, his first reaction to look for me.

I had already put my phone away and was chatting with the person next to me, my smile unchanging, as if the scene just now had nothing to do with me.

"Wendy…" Julian walked up to me, lowering his voice. "Just now…"

"The photo turned out great."

I turned the screen toward him; it was the photo I had just taken, capturing the moment Julian and Chloe did the interlocking-arm toast.

"Look, the lighting and composition are quite good. That white dress Ms. Quinn is wearing is very photogenic."

Julian was left speechless.

He wanted to explain, he wanted to say something, but my attitude made all his words get stuck in his throat.

Since when did Wendy stop minding Chloe's existence?

Could it be that Wendy… didn't care about him anymore?

This realization sent a bone-chilling cold through Julian.

Halfway through the gathering, I got up to go to the restroom.

As I stepped out, I ran into Chloe in the corridor.

"Ms. Brooks." Chloe stopped me, her face apologetic. "About earlier… I’m sorry. Everyone was just playing around; don't take it to heart."

I turned around and looked at her calmly. "Why would I take it to heart?"

Chloe was stumped for a moment before saying, "I mean… Julian and I really are just friends. Please don't misunderstand…"

"I haven't." I smiled. "You are friends, old acquaintances, and each other's memories of youth. I know all that."

With that, I turned to leave.

"Wait!" Chloe called out sharply.

I stopped, not looking back.

"He has a hidden photo album on his phone. The password is my birthday. It contains all our memories." Chloe’s voice carried a hint of triumph. "Wendy, you’ve been with him for four years—has he ever created a private album just for you?"

My body stiffened.

But I didn't turn back, just replied in a flat tone, "So?"

"So…" Chloe walked over and stood in front of me, staring at me. "So he has never forgotten me. Wendy, the last four years, you’ve just been accompanying him on my behalf."