Next birthday never came

Roderick pressed the button for the ground floor in the elevator. Ivy glanced at the display screen before shifting her gaze to him.

"Why are you staying at the hotel?" she asked. "Wouldn't it be better to go home?"

Roderick nonchalantly answered, "I don't feel like going home tonight."

"Why not?" Ivy pressed, her piercing gaze fixed on him, searching for an answer he didn't seem willing to give.

"I don't think we're at a point in our relationship where I need to explain everything," Roderick replied in a firm tone.

Ivy arched an eyebrow, her arms crossing across her chest. "I thought we were in a relationship where we could share everything with each other," she countered. Before he could respond, she added, "Fine. I'll spend a night with you."

Roderick blinked, caught off guard by her sudden declaration. "What?" he asked, a dry chuckle escaping him as he glanced at her. "You're joking."

"I'm not," she said with a determined gaze.