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Chapter 2 - 2

Hirota's POV

"Kisaragi, I brought your favorite lunch. You said yesterday that you liked Nikujage, so I asked my mom to make it."

That small hand held out a lunchbox toward me, her round eyes full of hope.

I still clearly remember how Ayaka always tried to get my attention back when we were in the same elementary school.

Tch. Now she's pretending to be angry just because I revealed the truth about what happened between her father and mine.

She forgets that if it weren't for my father's money, she never would've been able to attend that elite elementary school in this city.

"Sweetheart!"

I turned my gaze at the loud voice that echoed. I saw Rika waving at me while dragging a large suitcase.

I missed her so much. After a week in Paris, she looked even more beautiful.

"Hey, you look stunning," I said.

Rika kissed me softly on the lips and hugged me tightly.

Sometimes I feel sad—especially knowing how my parents, particularly my mother, were furious when I said I wanted to marry Rika.

Even though Rika is the daughter of Mr. Tachibana, my father's most trusted man—Ayaka's stepfather.

They know the Tachibana family descends from the Kazoku nobility of the Meiji era.

Just because Rika is a supermodel who lives a life of luxury, my mother got upset. Strangely, she actually prefers Ayaka, who is a nobody.

My relationship has been opposed from the start. My mother even dislikes the entire Tachibana family—for reasons I still don't understand. She only relies on her intuition and sees them as a nest of cunning people.

It's ridiculous. Every time Rika visits, my mother becomes snide and makes sarcastic remarks.

I feel bad for Rika—she's just trying to be the best she can.

"So, any update about our wedding? Has your mother calmed down and accepted me yet?"

I gently stroked Rika's face. She didn't know anything about the contract marriage I offered Ayaka.

I didn't know how to tell her.

"No update yet. And there's something I need to talk to you about. But we should discuss it at the apartment."

Rika smiled suspiciously and playfully pinched my cheek.

"Don't act so serious! How important could it be that we can't talk about it in the car?"

"It's as important as my love for you, sweetheart." I kissed her forehead and took her hand to guide her into the car.

My mind was a complete mess. I thought Rika's return would ease my heart, at least soothe my longing.

But the truth was, I felt haunted by fear—I didn't want Rika to get angry and leave me.

We'd spent so much time together—five whole years. She's the woman I want, not Ayaka.

I was so anxious that Rika even got a little annoyed with me—after dozens of selfies, my face kept turning out weird and pouty.

"You're cheating on me, aren't you?!"

That question came just as the car stopped at her apartment lobby.

Even my driver reflexively looked back, startled by her loud voice.

"Don't accuse me like that, babe! I'm not—"

"You're acting strange!"

Rika got out and slammed the door hard. I immediately followed to try to calm her, but she shot me a furious glare as she opened the garage.

"I'll take care of it myself."

I tried to grab her hand to carry the suitcase, but she brushed me off and stormed into the apartment in anger.

Damn it.

I signaled my driver to handle her luggage.

Rika's steps were fast, like she was fleeing from a ghost. I had to struggle to catch up, finally grabbing her arm right in front of the elevator.

"Let go of me! Go back to your new woman!" Rika yelled, pushing my hand away.

The elevator doors opened, and I immediately wrapped my arm around her shoulders. Thankfully, it was just the two of us, so we could continue the argument in private.

"Fine, yell all you want—from the elevator to your apartment. We're safe now to talk about your unreasonable suspicions!"

Rika stared at me, then lightly slapped my face.

"You've never looked moody when I come to see you—until today! How many pictures did we take where you looked upset? You must be thinking about another woman, right?!"

Rika rushed out of the elevator toward her apartment door, which was right next to it.

I grew even more confused about how to break the news about the contract marriage.

What she said was true—I was thinking about Ayaka.

"I regret coming home today! I could've stayed three more days in Paris! But I thought of you!" Rika shouted.

"Babe, there's something you need to know... I've never cheated, but—"

"But what?!"

Rika got closer and glared at me intensely.

My tongue felt tied, but I couldn't hold it in anymore. I had to tell her—especially since our engagement was only two days away.

"Grandma doesn't approve of our marriage, and I was forced to enter into a contract marriage with Ayaka."

"What? You—!"

Rika fainted.

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