Anya and Huan Jing had just stepped inside the café when their eyes immediately fell on Kaya. With her rabbit-like front teeth showing, Kaya waved with a bright smile. The three of them quickly rushed toward each other and hugged tightly.
"Miss you, miss you, miss you—my little gang!" they said together.
"Miss Cat, Miss Puppy, and Miss Bunny—finally reunited!" They laughed, shook hands, and sat down at the table.
With a soft smile, Anya said, "It's been three months since we last met together."
Huan Jing complained, "Well, Anya and I meet almost every day, but our Miss Bunny Kaya… ever since you got married, you hardly have time away from your Mr. Nain."
Anya laughed, "That's true, Huan. First, she had no time because of her boyfriend, and now because of her husband."
Kaya pouted, "That's not true! You two are still the same—always jealous of Nain Pan."
Holding back her laughter, Huan Jing said, "We'll never change, but you definitely have."
Leaning in mischievously, Anya added, "Yeah. By the way, I saw your pictures on social media. You two look good together." She raised her brows at Huan Jing, and Huan Jing played along. Both of them posed like a cheesy couple, making Kaya's face turn red.
"Enough, you two!" Kaya covered her face and quickly changed the topic. "By the way, I heard your boss got married?"
Huan Jing nodded. "Yes. But strangely, no one has seen his wife's name or photo anywhere."
Anya's heart started racing. This is it… I have to tell them the truth. She spoke softly, "Actually… I have something important to tell you both. Zain and I—"
"Wait! Let's order first. I'm starving," Huan Jing interrupted.
Anya sighed in defeat. "Alright."
"What will you two have?" Huan Jing asked.
Kaya replied, "A latte and a slice of chocolate cake."
Anya said, "For me, a chocolate milkshake and cake too."
"Waiter, please come here," Huan Jing called out.
The waiter took their order and left. Anya leaned toward Huan Jing and teased, "So, how are things between you and Qian?"
Huan Jing's smile faded. "We barely talk. He's so busy with work that he doesn't even have time to text or call. His boss piles too much work on him."
Kaya added, "Just like Anya's wolf boss. He always targets her and gives her extra work."
Huan Jing nodded. "Yes, Zain is always snapping at you."
Kaya said, "By the way, poor Mrs. Wolf. Her life must be ruined after marrying him."
Huan Jing added, "Yeah, but isn't it weird? Who hides their wife's identity like that?"
Anya took a deep breath. "I need to tell you something… Zain and I…"
Just then, the waiter arrived with the tray. Anya glared at him. Of all times, you had to come now?!
Terrified, the waiter quickly served everything and left.
Kaya and Huan Jing exchanged surprised looks and burst into laughter. "She hasn't changed at all—this is why she's called Cat."
Huan Jing picked up her fork, Kaya lifted her cup of tea. But before Anya touched her plate, she placed both her hands on the table, trembling. "The CEO of Yan Empire… Zain Yan and I are husband and wife."
Kaya and Huan Jing's eyes widened at the same time. The laughter vanished from their faces. The café noise around them suddenly faded into silence.
"What?!" Huan Jing almost screamed.
"No way!" Kaya set her cup down. "Are you serious?"
Anya lowered her head. "Yes."
"When? How? And why didn't you tell us?" Huan Jing bombarded her with questions.
Anya quickly handed them tissues. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you two months ago… but I just couldn't gather the courage."
Kaya's eyes widened. "Two months?! You've been married to Mr. Wolf for two whole months and didn't give us even a hint?"
Anya lowered her head, her eyes moist. "Yes."
Kaya and Huan Jing looked at each other. For a moment, their faces showed only shock. Then slowly, a smile appeared on their lips, and finally, both burst out laughing together.
"Stop it, you two! Everyone's staring at you," Anya whispered.
"Who cares!" Huan Jing laughed. "You hid something so huge from us."
Anya forced a smile, circling her finger on her temple. "Crazy, both of you."
---
New Scene: The Mysterious Boy
Near the window, a boy was quietly sipping his coffee, watching them. His eyes were fixed on Anya, observing every smile, every gesture of hers. A mysterious smile spread across his lips, as if he knew something no one else did. They're still the same, he thought, but you've changed, Anya. Your laughter has become even more beautiful… making me fall for you all over again. At last, I've found you. His gaze refused to leave Anya.
---
Kaya playfully stroked Huan Jing's hair. "Our youngest friend got married—and that too to the man she always claimed to hate. And she didn't even tell us! Are we strangers to you now?"
Huan Jing pretended to cry louder. "Yes, Kaya. After all, she's now the wife of the richest man in the city—Mr. Wolf."
Anya took a big sip of her milkshake and slammed the table. "Enough, you two! This is not something small!"
They immediately quieted down, realizing Anya was truly angry. She calmed herself and took a bite of cake.
Then Kaya said, "Not small? Anya, you married a man who has no heart. That's why people call him the Wolf CEO."
Huan Jing added, "True. But you're no less either. The CEO Wolf and his wife, Miss Cat—what a dramatic couple you make."
Finally, Kaya asked, "So… was it a love marriage or arranged?"
Anya frowned. "Neither. It was… a marriage of debt. He only married me to repay a debt."
Huan Jing and Kaya echoed, "What kind of debt?"
Anya replied softly, "My father sacrificed his life while saving Zain's father. That's why…"
Huan Jing sighed. "Your life is like a drama itself—A ruthless CEO and his employee."
Kaya softened her tone. "But you two have been living together for two months. Don't you share the same room? There must be something between you."
Anya shook her head firmly. "No. We stay in separate rooms. He's never once looked at me with love in his eyes, nor spoken kindly to me."
Kaya said, "I think he has a past he hasn't healed from yet. But maybe one day he'll change."
Huan Jing said bitterly, "I don't think he'll ever love you. He's always angry and keeps piling more work on you."
Kaya argued, "No, one day he'll fall for her. Love has the power to trap even the coldest wolf."
Anya's eyes filled with tears. "And that six-foot wolf makes me do all the household chores too."
Huan Jing hugged her tightly. "My poor friend, that wolf is ruining your life."
Kaya proudly said, "Not my husband. He truly loves me, helps me with housework, and treats me like a princess."
The three of them burst into laughter, recalling school and college memories. Then Kaya's phone rang—Nain's call.
She stood up. "Look, it's 7:30 already. My husband is calling—I have to go."
Anya placed her hands on Kaya's shoulders. "Go, to your loving husband."
Huan Jing laughed. "I'll leave too. My house is on the same way."
Just then, Nain Pan's car pulled up. Kaya and Huan Jing got inside.
"Take care, Anya. Good luck living with your wolf husband," Huan Jing teased through the window.
"Thanks," Anya chuckled.
Kaya added, "Call me when you reach home."
"Alright," Anya waved until the taxi disappeared. Her smile slowly faded.
---
New Ending
As the taxi vanished, Anya was left alone. The noise of the café felt distant, drowned out by the sound of her own breathing. Kaya is so lucky, she thought. She has a partner who truly loves her. But me? I'm bound to a marriage where there's neither love nor commitment.
A sharp ache rose in her chest. People looked at her as Mr. Wolf's wife, believing she must be the happiest girl alive. But they had no idea how Zain's coldness suffocated her heart every single day. Her eyes brimmed with tears, which she quickly wiped away.
Outside, the night's cool breeze brushed against her skin. Her hair fluttered in the wind, but the pain inside her was far colder than the air.
This is just a marriage of show, she told herself. And this… is my fate.
She stomped her foot against the ground and walked away, already knowing where she was headed—back to an empty house, to a man who was nothing but a stranger.