Chapter 3

Nora's POV

Rowan's expression darkened immediately.

"You followed me here?"

I was about to explain that I worked at the bar when Vivian stood up.

She slipped her arm affectionately through mine.

"Don't get the wrong idea. Everyone's just joking around."

A strong scent of tuberose perfume washed over me.

My stomach twisted violently.

Suddenly, I remembered that every scented candle and bottle of body wash in our apartment over the past few years had carried that same tuberose fragrance.

Once, when I switched to a sweet orange scent, Rowan had inexplicably flown into a rage.

So that was why.

Even the air I breathed had to smell like something his ex-girlfriend liked.

I pulled my arm free and brushed my sleeve as though trying to wipe away something dirty.

"Don't touch me."

Vivian's smile stiffened. Then she lowered her head, looking like a victim who had been deeply wronged.

"I'm sorry."

Rowan shot to his feet and immediately pulled Vivian behind him, shielding her with his body.

"Nora, do you have no basic manners at all? Or is it because you grew up in foster care that you have no idea what it means to behave with dignity?"

I stared at him in disbelief, pain shooting through my eyes.

Foster care.

That was the deepest, most painful scar I carried.

Back when he was pursuing me, he had kissed away my tears and sworn that he would be my family from then on, that he would protect me for the rest of my life.

Now, to defend another woman, he had plunged a knife straight into my oldest wound without hesitation.

"Right. I have no manners."

I stared directly at him, my voice strangely calm.

"Rowan, I imagine you're tired of playing with me by now. I'll get out of your way."

His expression changed. He lunged forward and grabbed my wrist.

The tuberose scent clinging to his shirt was so overpowering that it made my eyes water.

Marcus awkwardly tried to smooth things over.

"Nora, seriously, don't overthink this. We're just a bunch of loudmouths joking around. If those two were ever going to get back together, it would've happened long before you came along."

"That's right, Nora. Vivian and I really are just friends now."

Vivian stepped forward again, reaching for my arm.

The next second, she let out a sudden cry. Her entire body lurched backward as though I had shoved her with all my strength, and her shoulder slammed into the corner of the marble table.

"Vivian!"

Rowan rushed forward in a flash and caught her.

Everything happened so quickly.

I opened my mouth, but when I met Rowan's murderous glare, every explanation became trapped in my throat.

"Have you lost your mind?!" he roared at me.

I clenched the fabric of my clothes, my nails digging into my palms.

"I didn't touch her."

Vivian leaned against Rowan's chest, tears glistening in her eyes. Even then, she continued to soothe him with practiced generosity.

"Rowan, don't yell at her. I just lost my balance."

Rowan didn't spare me another glance.

He took off his jacket, wrapped it around Vivian, and half-carried her out of the bar.

I stood alone beside the dimly lit booth, freezing from head to toe. I remained there for what felt like forever.

Rowan didn't return to our apartment that night.

The following morning, Vivian started an Instagram livestream.

Its title read: "A Day in the Darkroom with New York's Genius Photographer."

I clicked on it, too.

On the screen, Rowan was meticulously developing film. Vivian sat on a high stool, occasionally leaning over to tease him in a low voice. Their effortless chemistry made them look like a couple who had never been apart.

The comments section went wild. Fans flooded the livestream, speculating that the former golden couple had reunited.

They could see the comments pouring in, yet neither of them offered a denial. They simply let the rumors and suggestive speculation spread across the internet.

I stared at the screen, wanting to laugh, but my throat felt painfully dry.

Being the official girlfriend was a joke. And I was the punchline.

Fortunately, the joke was about to end.

That evening, I had just stuffed the last piece of clothing into my suitcase, which I hadn't even managed to zip shut, when I heard the front door open.

Rowan was home.

He glanced at the suitcase on the bed but didn't ask a single question. Instead, he casually tossed a heavy package in front of me, his tone awkward.

"Come on. Stop being mad."

I opened it in astonishment.

Inside was a rare, out-of-print book of European independent photography.

In the past, Rowan had always despised the idea of making up for things with material gifts. Whenever we fought, I was the one who eventually gave in and made peace.

Seeing me accept the book, he visibly relaxed.

"Vivian picked it out for you. She didn't hold last night's incident against you at all. In fact, she insisted that I get this book to cheer you up. And she was the one who suggested today's livestream, too. She wanted to help build anticipation for my solo exhibition tomorrow."

I said nothing. I quietly placed the expensive book on the bedside table, then turned to retrieve my passport.

Rowan didn't notice anything unusual about my behavior. If anything, he seemed relieved.

"Nora, Vivian and I are just close friends now. Nothing more. You should try spending more time with her. She's genuinely a good person."

When his friends had humiliated me in front of everyone at the bar last night, why hadn't he been willing to defend me even once?

He suddenly stepped forward and placed both hands on my shoulders, as though he had finally made up his mind about something.

"Tomorrow night is the opening of my exhibition. I'll officially announce to the media that you're my one and only girlfriend, Nora."

"So please stop targeting Vivian from now on, okay?"

An acknowledgment that had come four years too late.

And even now, his willingness to compromise was only meant to secure Vivian's peace of mind.

The last trace of resentment and hurt in my heart finally disappeared.

I looked at him and gave a small nod.

"Okay."

Tomorrow, however, would be the day I left him for good.