Her smile was like a ray of sunshine—warm and genuine, effortlessly drawing me in. A stir of emotions rose within me, and I couldn't help but steal a few more glances at her, as if trying to uncover the untold stories hidden within her eyes.

  "Elena, I never would have guessed," I said, a hint of surprise in my voice. Elena usually carried herself with a carefree, unguarded demeanor, so I never imagined she possessed such a delicate side.

  "Ryan, could it be that you're starting to like me a little more?" Elena suddenly leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous light.

  I quickly averted my gaze, inwardly groaning at her persistence. Elena always had a way of steering the conversation back to the same topic. I feigned a serious expression."You, always so full of yourself."

  Elena laughed, undeterred, and turned toward the kitchen."I'm cooking. You'd better not make a mess."

  Just as I was about to argue, she waved me aside."Look at you, all clumsy. Let me handle it."

  I stood quietly to one side, watching her with a mixture of surprise and admiration. This carefree girl, so full of life, possessed a surprising level of skill in the kitchen. She tossed the vegetables in the air with a grace that seemed practiced, each motion as fluid as if rehearsed countless times. I feared the food might fall to the floor, but with perfect precision, she caught every piece, as though performing an intricate dance.

  "Your skills could easily win you a cooking competition," I couldn't help but marvel.

  Elena gave me a smug smile."Of course. I've been doing this since I was little."

  She had already prepared several dishes in no time. I took them to the table, filled with newfound respect. She wasn't just an interesting girl; she was someone with a strong sense of responsibility and maturity.

  My mother pulled me aside."Elena's quite impressive, isn't she?"

  "Hmm?" I thought I was beginning to understand why my mother had switched sides. Elena truly was a remarkable girl in many ways, and it wasn't hard to see why my mother liked her so much.

  At dinner, Elena sat next to me, occasionally serving me food with care and consideration. Every gesture was so natural that it made me feel a little uneasy.

  After the meal, my mother and Elena went to clean up, and at that moment, my phone buzzed with a message from Celeste Harrington."Ryan, have you eaten yet?"

  A smile spread across my face as I replied,"I've already eaten, at home."

  "I'd love to meet your mom too."

  "You'll meet her when you come over."

  At that moment, Elena appeared, a teasing smile on her face."You look so happy—are you chatting with that woman?"

  I shot her a playful glare, glancing at my phone."Ryan, let's video call!"

  "It's not convenient right now."

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  "What's wrong? Are you with another woman?"

  "It's just my high school friend. She's close with my mom, and she's here tonight too."

  "Ryan, doesn't that mean your mom approves of her? What about me?"

  "I won't like her," I assured her.

  "But what if your mom doesn't like me?"

  To be honest, I was at a loss. I wasn't sure how we had ended up in this situation."I think once you come over, we can all meet together, and that should make her happy."

  "But what if she only likes your friend?"

  I wasn't sure how to answer that—it seemed entirely possible."Don't worry, at the end of the day, it's us who will be living together."

  "But if your mom doesn't approve, that would be really bad."

  It was then that I recalled Sophie Summers' words—she had urged me to inquire about the conditions for my marriage to Celeste Harrington. Could it be that there were conditions that would make this union difficult for me to navigate? With the state of my family as it is now, what could they possibly gain from me? I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought, dismissing it. I would cross that bridge when we actually talked about marriage. I refused to believe Celeste Harrington would present any harsh terms.

  Elena, believing I hadn't noticed, stealthily crept up behind me. As she leaned over to glance at my phone screen, I turned it off, intending to confront her. But to my surprise, our lips met in a sudden, unexpected kiss. I froze, panic rising within me, but Elena's quick reflexes pulled my head into her embrace, making it seem as if we couldn't bear to part. I gently pushed her hands away."Elena…"

  With an innocent look in her eyes, she said,"You kissed me first. I was just responding."

  I wiped my lips."That was too much."

  She pouted dramatically,"Oh, so you're the victim now? I'm a grown woman and haven't called myself a victim, but look at what you did!"

  "Elena, stop pretending," I murmured under my breath.

  "Ryan, you're taking advantage of me just because you know I like you," she said, tears beginning to well in her eyes."You've never seen the effort I've put in, nor the things I've done for you."

  I froze. My mother could come out at any moment, and I feared the scolding that would surely follow. Hastily, I grabbed a few tissues from the table to wipe her tears, but she turned her head, refusing to let me. I gently forced her face toward me and wiped away the tears that had soaked her cheeks.

  "Why are you crying?" I whispered softly.

  "I've always been doing things for you, but you never seem to notice," Elena said, her voice breaking with sadness."You've never treated me well. Ryan, I don't understand why you don't like me, why you hold such prejudice against me. I've always lowered myself to pursue you, but you've never responded. I'm a person, Ryan, a woman—don't you understand that women need care too?"

  Her words grew more impassioned."Ryan, don't you know? I've been chasing you so long, and the worst part is the hopelessness of it all. That's what devastates me."

  She wiped her eyes, stood up, grabbed her bag, and said to my mother in the kitchen,"Mom, I have something to take care of. I'll go shopping with you tomorrow."

  I had always seen Elena as carefree, never imagining her capable of tears. Back in high school, I had witnessed her fierce fights, and even when she was beaten by a group of people, she never shed a tear. I thought she would never cry. Was I wrong?

  I stood up, intending to walk her out. She turned back and said,"You don't need to see me off. Please, don't trouble yourself."

  Had I truly hurt her so deeply?

  I turned to my mother."Mom, I'm going out too."

  She rushed from the kitchen, saying,"Ryan, I think you've misunderstood Elena. I think you should really get to know the real her. She's not as you've described. Yes, she's playful, but she has her boundaries. She's always liked you, and your attitude really hurts her. She's been talking to me a lot lately, and she's shared so much. She's a good girl, Ryan. She wants to help you, but you refuse her every time."

  "Mom, please, I have a girlfriend now!" I interrupted, frustration and urgency evident in my voice.

  "You wouldn't listen, would you? Fine, it's up to you. But mark my words, Ryan—you'll regret passing up on Elena."

  With a resigned sigh, my mother gave me a disappointed, pained look.

  I returned to my rented apartment in a whirlwind of confusion, my thoughts consumed by the conversation I had just had with my mother. Elena was the girl my mother had always hoped I would be with—gentle, kind, and from a good family. But now, I was with Celeste Harrington. The image of Elena crying, the disappointment in my mother's eyes, haunted me, and I couldn't sleep a wink that night. I tossed and turned, my mind swirling with disarrayed thoughts.