Chapter 4

I returned home from the hospital, and it wasn't until just before dawn that Vivienne finally sauntered back.

"I'm here to grab something, then I'm heading out for breakfast. Want to join me?" she said casually, slipping off her high heels as she walked towards me, her voice as soft as ever.

"You know that breakfast joint we used to go to when we were in school? It's moved downstairs. I remember you wouldn't eat anywhere else back then."

I slowly closed my eyes. "I was foolish back then. I've long since lost my taste for it."

In the past, when my stomach was sensitive, Vivienne would accompany me for breakfast every day.

Not wanting to waste time, I'd always say I preferred the closest place.

But the truth is, it was never about the restaurant. What I really loved was having Vivienne there, worried about my health and willing to join me for breakfast.

Now, it's as if she's lost her memory, forgetting everything we once shared.

Ever since she entered the workforce, I've done everything in my power to help her navigate the business world smoothly.

I threw myself into networking, preparing everything in advance for her. No matter how challenging the business dinners or social engagements, I'd fight tooth and nail to secure them for her.

The stomach she once nursed back to health has, without either of us noticing, deteriorated beyond repair.

Later, on countless nights when she was out with Wylie, my stomach would often ache to the point of unbearable agony.Vivienne's gentle voice lasted only a moment before her face crumpled upon hearing my words.

"Archer, have I been too nice to you lately? How could you speak to me like that?"

"Can't you see what you've become? Do you still have the right to throw tantrums like you used to?"

I stood dazed by the sink, staring at my weathered face in the mirror, and helplessly tugged at the corner of my mouth.

Time can't be turned back.

I'm no longer the Archer I once was.

These days, I can't afford to pay for my naivety, whether it's with my energy or my body.

Vivienne and I have known each other since we were in school.

Back then, she actively pursued me for a long time, stirring up quite a commotion on campus.

Even though I didn't want to believe that the person I had secretly loved would chase after me,

I was willing to take a chance.

We did all the romantic things couples do, always in perfect sync no matter what we were doing.

It was as if our relationship was meant to be.

When we first started working, no matter how busy her job was, taking care of me was always part of her routine.

Even if I worked late, she would always come to pick me up herself, and there would always be hot soup and a warm meal waiting for me at home.I've experienced so much with Vivienne, so much that I naively thought we had already lived through a lifetime together.

But all these experiences seem to linger only in my heart alone.

For eight full years, my entire youth and even my life has been filled with traces of her.

The next morning, Vivienne had already left by the time I woke up.

While I was still asleep, the door was suddenly pounded awake.

Before I could reach the door, my usual work colleagues burst in abruptly.

The person at the front angrily shoved me to the ground, relentlessly throwing things at me while hurling insults.

"Archer, who would've thought that behind your righteous facade, you're actually someone's side piece!"

"What righteousness? He's just a shameless male homewrecker. Can't be content being a decent person, has to follow someone around like a dog, so pathetic!"

I curled up on the floor, letting them throw things at me.

This sudden disaster today came out of nowhere, and I had no idea where it stemmed from.

Wylie squeezed out from the crowd, his expression grief-stricken but still standing in front to stop people from throwing things at me."Archer, bro, I've always treated you with the utmost respect and even considered you like my own brother. Everyone knows about my relationship with Vivienne. How could you be such a backstabber?"