Conrad's face froze, his eyes wide with shock as he looked at me. Then, his gaze fell on the intertwined hands of Ernest and me. He didn't speak, and neither did I. It was Ernest who broke the silence first,

"Mr. Wagner, good morning.

", And it was indeed morning-though the sun had yet to rise., Conrad seemed to snap out of his daze at Ernest's greeting, clenching his jaw as his gaze fixed on me.

"Felicia, we need to talk.

", I could have refused, but I didn't., Some conversations are inevitable. Better to have them and get it over with, so they don't linger unspoken.,

"Ernest, you go ahead. I'd like a glass of milk,

" I said, adopting the casual tone of a wife speaking to her husband., Ernest hummed in acknowledgment, pulling my coat around me tighter.

"It's chilly in the morning.

", He headed for the elevator, leaving Conrad and me behind. Conrad didn't lead me away but instead watched the elevator numbers climb. Only when the elevator stopped did he turn to me.

"When did you buy the apartment?

", I had initially thought Conrad had bought Haley an apartment above mine just to spite me. But seeing his reaction earlier made me realize I had misunderstood.,

"Probably before you,

" I replied, noticing his eyes narrow, a deeper shadow crossing his face.,

"I hope Haley didn't make you buy it,

" I ventured., Conrad remained silent, confirming my suspicions., So, Haley had indeed been playing a nasty game, buying an apartment just above mine, either to flaunt her relationship with Conrad or to make him witness my happiness with Ernest, hoping to sever any remaining ties I had with Conrad., Too bad, I was one step ahead in uncovering her scheme.,

"You mentioned you wanted to talk? Should we do it here?

" I asked Conrad., Something flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go outside.

", He started walking, slowing his pace, probably to ensure I could keep up.,

"I haven't eaten in a day and a night,

" Conrad said as we stepped outside., I understood his hint; he wanted my company for a meal.,

"I just had something to eat.

", At that, a look of pained disappointment crossed Conrad's face, followed by a low mutter,

"So, you won't even share a meal with me now?

", Sharing a meal wasn't a big deal, but I didn't want to give him the impression that I still cared.,

"Let's just go to the car,

" Conrad suggested, probably remembering Ernest's comment about the morning chill.,

"No, let's hang out by the flowerbed,

" I countered, heading that way., Conrad followed, and soon, I felt the weight of his jacket on my shoulders, carrying the warmth and scent of him., When I turned to him, he was adjusting his coat.

"You're not going to refuse this too, are you?

", He let go and walked ahead. I looked down at the jacket enveloping me, feeling a lump in my throat., Once, wearing his clothes and, smelling his scent would fill me with, a blissful sense of possession, as if I had the world at my fingertips. Now, all I felt was the heavy reality of our situation. , Conrad stopped, and I caught up to him. He looked up at the sky, still tinged with the night's darkness.

"It's been a while since I last saw the dawn sky.

", I remembered the last time we, watched the stars together. He had, been out drinking with friends and asked me to pick him up. I had waited almost all night, only for him, to emerge, swaying, just before dawn. , Seeing me, he had frozen, then asked,

"You didn't leave? You've been waiting here all this time?

",

"Yeah, I was worried about you,

" I had replied, a mix of irritation and worry in my voice. The irritation was for the long, anxious night of waiting; the worry was for his well-being, fearing he might have overindulged. , Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.