As I passed by a trash bin, I tossed in the diamond ring I had once cherished.
That evening, Marcus came home carrying a small, delicate cake from the bakery at the east side of the city—my favorite.
It always took at least an hour in line to buy one.
"Lila, I got your favorite strawberry cake today."
He smiled, setting it on the table before taking my hand and gently pulling me to sit beside him.
Every day, I received little surprises—roses, cakes, necklaces, cosmetics.
Marcus always found ways to make me smile.
"Try it quickly," he urged, scooping a piece of cake topped with strawberries and holding it to my lips. "I stood in line for two hours just to get this. I knew my little greedy cat would want a bite."
Mechanically, I opened my mouth.
But my gaze drifted to his collar—where a glaring red mark stood out against the crisp white fabric.
So intense. He must have enjoyed his forbidden love.
Niece versus uncle. The kind of scandal that novel readers would obsess over.
"Lila," he continued, his tone gentle, almost coaxing. "I was supposed to come home after three days, but something urgent came up at the company. I had to stay another two. I'm sorry, baby."