Chapter 4
It seemed that Zander was afraid that Elianna would change her mind, so he quickly called the servant to move her belongings to the most spacious room.
Shayla arrogantly said to Joyce, “It’s already this late, why are you still standing there foolishly? Hurry up and prepare dinner, and also, Elianna doesn’t eat spicy food, so make it a little milder in
taste.”
Even though there were servants at home, Joyce always cooked.
Due to Zander’s high standards and picky taste, even the skills of top chefs are difficult to meet his approval, only when she personally cooks can it be reluctantly accepted.
Despite her utmost dedication and effort, Zander only ate a few bites hastily. Sometimes Shayla would also taste it, but she would constantly find fault with it.
At that moment, she gently waved her hand and uttered four unexpected words that surprised everyone present, “I won’t do it.”
Upon hearing Joyce’s refusal, Zander couldn’t help but cast his gaze towards her.
In his mind, she had always been obedient to the elders in her family, so it was the first time she
refused to comply.
He hadn’t spoken yet, when Elianna’s eyes suddenly turned red, and she lowered her head, tightly.
biting her lips.
“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have moved in. After all, I was a stranger, and it wouldn’t be right to
bother Ms. Irwin to cook for me.”
With that, she was about to turn around and head towards the stairs to tidy up her things, but she
was suddenly grabbed by Zander.
“It’s not your fault.”
With that, he shifted his gaze to Joyce, his tone slightly displeased, “You said you didn’t mind, sỡ
what are you trying to do now?”
Joyce raised her hand, with a bandage wrapped around her middle finger.
“I couldn’t get wet.”
In fact, she was completely unharmed, but since the relationship had come to an end, she didn’t want to invest any more energy in Zander. So she deliberately put a few bandages on her hand, just to avoid cooking.
The air suddenly became heavy and oppressive.
1/4
Joyce used to take care of the household chores alone, so the maids would always finish work on
time.
Among the few people now, only she knew how to cook.
Shayla’s face turned sour, her brows furrowed, and her disapproving tone revealed blame, “Why didn’t you say earlier? Were you intentionally trying to make us hungry?”
Before she could continue her outburst, Elianna quickly interrupted her.
“Shayla, don’t say it like that.”
Elianna looked at Zander beside her and said softly, “Zander, ever since we went abroad, I have
been missing that restaurant on the street behind our school. We used to go there after school. How about we go there and have a meal?”
Zander readily accepted Elianna’s suggestion and softly said, “Of course, let’s go together.”
When they left, they didn’t forget to include Joyce as well.
Zander took the initiative to drive as the driver, and he chatted and laughed with the two people in the back seat.
Shifting the topic to high school days, Elianna became more and more excited, with Shayla occasionally joining in.
Talking about excitement, all three of them couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Before the laughter subsided, Elianna suddenly woke up as if from a dream, turning to Joyce, who was sitting in the passenger seat, with a smile on her face and said, “Ms. Irwin, I’m sorry, we didn’t intentionally ignore you, it’s just that you weren’t in those memories.”
Not only memories, but also their future will not have her place.
Joyce responded softly and silently closed her eyelids.
Zander glanced at her rarely and felt an inexplicable feeling rise in his heart. She seemed different.
After arriving at the place, Joyce found an excuse and went to the restroom.
She picked up the cold water and let it splash on her cheeks, then she lifted her head and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Her long hair hung down her back, and her fair skin appeared even more delicate under the reflection of the lights, as if it were made of cream. However, even so, it was difficult to completely conceal the weariness that was revealed in her eyes.
ter
After three years of marriage, Elianna’s eyes were full of vitality, but her gaze was filled with
weariness.
2/4
She told herself that as long as she could hold on for a little longer, she would be able to achieve complete freedom.
She encouraged herself.
When she returned to the table, the three of them had already finished ordering.
“Prepare some light–flavored dishes. Elianna doesn’t eat meat, so there should be more vegetables and no mustard.”
Zander carefully instructed the waiter while browsing through the menu.
Even though time passed quickly, he still remembered Elianna’s eating habits.
“Joyce, is there anything you didn’t like to eat?”
This was the first time in three years that Joyce had heard him ask about her dietary preferences. She sat on the other side, took a tissue, and gently wiped the utensils in front of her.
“I can do anything, just don’t eat raw food.”
During this dinner, Zander’s attention was almost entirely focused on Elianna beside him. He only took a few bites himself but didn’t forget to serve her food.
Halfway through the meal, a sudden argument broke out between the customers at the neighboring table. The atmosphere became increasingly tense, and both sides even resorted to physical
violence.
Other guests, seeing the situation, stood up one after another to dissuade.
However, unexpectedly, one of them lost control and actually picked up the sushi plate in his hand and threw it directly at his opponent.
In the midst of a terrified scream, Zander instinctively turned around and tightly protected Elianna beside him. Meanwhile, Joyce, unable to dodge in time, could only watch helplessly as a plate full of sushi came flying towards her face…
