Celia froze in her tracks. Sylvia must have called at this exact moment to switch places with her again.
The amusement park was just ahead. Their date hadn't even started, and it was already destined to end.
No—her date was ending. His real date was just about to begin.
After all, Nathaniel had originally planned to meet Sylvia tonight.
He turned back toward her. "What's wrong? Why aren't you moving?"
Celia slowly pulled her hand from his warm grasp and pointed toward a nearby ice cream cart. "I want some ice cream. Can you get one for me?"
"I'll get it," he said, "but let's go together."
"My legs are sore," she said, avoiding his gaze. "I'll wait right here."
Nathaniel studied her. "Tonight's date is for the two of us—you and me. You're the one standing in front of me, understand?"
What… what did he mean?
Celia looked up, her eyes shimmering with surprise.
He wasn't here to see Sylvia?
He was… really going on a date with her?
Nathaniel smiled, his tone suggestive. "I said you wouldn't disappear tonight. You wouldn't push me toward another woman and let her take your place on our date, would you?"
Her pupils contracted sharply. What does he mean? Had he figured it out?
"Why would you… say that?" she asked, her voice strained.
Nathaniel's dark eyes narrowed, unreadable. "You just looked like you didn't really want to be here, so I guessed."
So… he hadn't found out. He was just guessing.
Still, his intuition was frighteningly accurate.
To brush away his suspicions, Celia forced a smile. "What are you talking about? Of course I want to be here. I just really wanted ice cream."
He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Stay right here. Don't go anywhere."
"Okay."
Nathaniel turned and walked away.
As his tall, elegant figure receded into the distance, Celia felt an unexpected tightness in her chest. She was about to return him to Sylvia, and yet… her heart ached.
Images of the past few days flashed through her mind—his warmth, his kisses, his teasing. She had resisted being a stand-in at first, but now… she had completely fallen into the role of "Mrs. Fu."
"Nathaniel Fu!"
She called out to him suddenly.
He stopped and turned around quickly, his deep black eyes locking onto hers. "What is it?"
"I…"
Her phone rang again, dragging her back to reality. The name Sylvia flashed across the screen. In an instant, Celia snapped out of her daze.
She was just a substitute.
"Nothing," she said softly. "I just wanted strawberry ice cream."
Nathaniel stared at her for a few seconds, then nodded. "Alright."
As he turned again, the light in his eyes dimmed like ink bleeding into water—dark, cold, and unreadable.
Celia watched his back for a moment. Then she slowly raised her hand and gave him a small wave.
"Nathaniel Fu," she whispered, "goodbye."
Let this be just a dream. A dream he knows nothing about. One she would hide in the quiet corners of her heart.
Goodbye.
Her phone vibrated again. Celia answered.
"Celia! Why are you answering so late again? Don't tell me you've fallen for my husband?"
Celia's pale fingers curled around the phone, gripping it tightly. "Cut the crap, Sylvia. I'm waiting for you at the amusement park."
When Nathaniel returned, Sylvia rushed up to him, throwing her arms around his and chirping sweetly, "Honey, you got the ice cream~"