I took some time off from the department, planning to rest for a few days.

I would use this time to gather myself and then move out.

At noon, I received a call from Arthur.

"Charlotte, don't go home after class, go directly to the restaurant," he said, then sent me the location of a restaurant.

I had come across this restaurant online before, and a long time ago, I begged Arthur to go there with me.

He refused, saying he couldn't handle spicy food.

I carefully tried to persuade him, "How about we order two dishes, and you can have the non-spicy one?"

He ran his hand through his hair, his tone impatient. "You need me to accompany you for everything. Can't you eat by yourself? Is this how you teach your students?"

He was genuinely angry.

So, I never brought it up again.

When I arrived at the restaurant, there was a strange woman beside Arthur.

Arthur stood up and introduced her, "This is my junior, Aria Clementine. Aria said she wanted to meet you."

So, it seemed I had to rely on another woman to get to eat here finally.

Aria beckoned to me. "Charlie, come on, we're just waiting for you."

Her tone was so warm and inviting as if she were the hostess.

"I told Arthur we absolutely had to meet you, to see what kind of beauty could capture his heart."

She finished with a playful tilt of her head towards Arthur.

Arthur's lips curved into a smile, his tone seemingly reproachful but unable to hide his indulgence. "Aria, didn't we agree not to tease me about this?"

The two of them carried on their lighthearted banter, utterly oblivious to anyone else around them.

Arthur always used to complain that I talked too much, and I assumed he preferred quiet. Now, it seemed he didn't dislike noise; he just didn't like me making it around him.

Before them, a steaming barbeque on the square table was emitting smoke.

Aria clasped her hands together, her face beaming with happiness. "I love spicy barbeque the most. It's rare that Arthur still remembers my taste."

Arthur pursed his lips and naturally moved the dish in front of Aria.

Due to my recent miscarriage, I could only eat a piece of cake before stopping.

Arthur chatted with Aria the entire time, utterly oblivious to my situation.

It wasn't until they finished their food that Aria suddenly noticed something and exclaimed, "Charlie hasn't eaten anything. Is it not to your liking? I'm so sorry. I was so engrossed in chatting with Arthur that I didn't notice..."

"It's not your fault." Arthur interrupted Aria's apology.

I ignored them and answered on my own, "I can't eat spicy food lately."

Arthur froze for a moment, then realized and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I forgot."

It had only been a few days since my miscarriage, and Arthur already said he had forgotten.

But when it came to Aria, he could recount events from over a decade ago in vivid detail.

I shook my head. "It's okay, it doesn't matter."

It really didn't matter anymore.

Arthur frowned. Perhaps due to Aria's presence, he ultimately didn't say anything.

"What are you two whispering about? You can't keep secrets from me!"

Aria raised her index finger and poked Arthur's chest playfully.

Arthur didn't dodge, allowing her to do as she pleased.

"It's nothing. Her health has always been poor." Arthur emphasized once again.

He was afraid I would slip up and let Aria know about my miscarriage.

It was laughable. If he had any intention of staying faithful to her, he shouldn't have married me, let alone gotten me pregnant.

After dinner, Arthur offered to take Aria home first and then come back for me.

I readily agreed.

Arthur opened the passenger door first, then walked around to the driver's seat. After Aria was seated, he leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.

Aria and I locked eyes in the rearview mirror.

She spread her hands, offering a helpless expression.

I thought for a moment, then walked forward and carefully instructed, "Drive slowly."

Arthur and I met eyes, his expression a bit strained.

"Let's go, don't keep Charlie waiting too long," Aria urged, nudging his arm.

After they left, I turned and hailed a ride.

On the way, Arthur called a few times, but I didn't answer.

When I got home, I started packing. I didn't own much, just some daily necessities and books.

By the time Arthur got home, I had already packed most of my things.

He looked at the packages on the floor, his tone unpleasant.

"You're leaving home just because I took Aria home first? Charlotte, when did you become so dramatic?"

He still didn't understand why I was angry, continuing to avoid the main issue.

But I had no intention of explaining.

I stood up, lightly patted his cheek, and forced a smile. "What are you thinking? I'm just getting ready to move into our new home."

Last year, Arthur and I bought a new house, and if all goes well, we should be moving in next month.

But Arthur doesn't need to come along anymore.

Arthur's expression softened a bit as he handed me a bouquet of lilies. "Charlie, these are for you."

It was the first time he had called me that.

When we first started dating, I called him "baby" and "honey", but he never responded.

If I called again, he'd just give me a cold look.

"Just call me by my name," he had said.

He always called me "Charlotte", often omitting even that.

At our wedding, when the officiant asked him to name ten nicknames that belonged to us, he couldn't come up with a single one.

I had to step in and save him from the embarrassment.

Now, calling me Charlie, he was probably been influenced by Aria.