His expression faltered briefly as he recognized me. For a long moment, he stared, then suddenly smiled and leaped down from the stage.
"Claire, how have you been? Why haven’t you responded to my messages these past few days?"
"Lennon, let's break up."
Lennon froze for a moment, but his composure quickly returned. With a familiar smile, he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the lounge with such force that I winced.
"Come home for dinner tonight. My mother told me to make your favorite dish."
I struggled against his grip. "Lennon, I said let's break up."
His expression stiffened, though his cheerful facade remained intact.
"Claire, stop talking nonsense."
He grasped my hands again, rubbing them gently. A faint tenderness seeped into his voice.
"That day with Mia, I just wanted to provoke you. I didn’t mean for you to feel neglected." His expression shifted to one of feigned grievance. "How could I like someone like Mia? I only love you."
His gaze carried a semblance of sincerity, but I knew better. It was all an illusion.
I shook my head, letting out a quiet sigh before turning to face him directly.