"No?" he echoed, his voice rising in frustration. "Then why the attitude? Here I am, putting in the effort, picking you up for dinner. Can't you at least pretend to appreciate it?"

"I'm not angry, Adrian."

"Fine!" He let out a long sigh. "I promise, no more contact with Sophie again, Okay?"

I stared at him. Did he really think a simple gesture could erase months of lies and betrayal?

"Are you happy now?" he asked again.

I did not answer and remain silent for the rest of trip. The car drove all the way to a fancy restaurant. Apparently, Adrian had gone all out, reserving a table and even arranging for flowers and a gift.

The scene was a picture of romantic bliss, complete with envious glances from other diners. However, before I opened the gift, Adrian's phone rang.

"Fever? Do you have any medicine?" he asked, answering the call. "I can't take you to the hospital today, I have something to do. What? That high? Okay, wait for me. I'll be right over."

Hanging up, Adrian turned to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of awkwardness and something I could not quite decipher. "Madeline, it's Sophie. Her child has a fever. I need to...."