In past years, I had always put Shawn first, delaying my return just to avoid making him unhappy.

Looking back now—I had been so unbelievably foolish.

Before I even reached home, my mom came out with a bright smile.

"Oh, let me see! You’ve gotten so thin. You need to eat more while you’re home."

She gazed at me with so much love and concern.

And yet—all because of Shawn’s offhand remark, "You’re too curvy. It makes you look vulgar."

For years, I had restricted my diet, forced myself to lose weight. But no matter how much I tried, my bone structure wouldn’t change, and my chest remained the same. Yet, instead of appreciating me, Shawn used it as another excuse to mock me.

"Ayra, don’t take this the wrong way, but have you ever seen a decent girl dress like that? Good thing your boyfriend is me—any other guy would’ve dumped you by now."

"What kind of man would tolerate his wife being stared at by others?"

"But don’t worry, I still love you."

At the time, I had been so moved, thinking he must really care about me.

But now, seeing the worry in my mother’s eyes, I finally realized—Shawn had manipulated me like an NPC in his game.

—

Being home was pure happiness.

Every day, my mom prepared delicious meals, spoiling me until I almost forgot about Shawn entirely.

That was until an unfamiliar number called.

"Have you lost your damn mind, Ayra? Why did you block me? Have I spoiled you too much? All I did was send Clara home, and you’re making a fuss over that?"

I nearly laughed. I had been home for five days—five whole days—and Shawn had only just remembered to contact me.

God knows which warm embrace he had been lost in before now.

"Sending someone home takes five days?" I countered.

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then, he growled, his voice thick with irritation.

"Clara is getting married soon. It’s her last days as a single woman—what’s wrong with me keeping her company? Enough, I’ll come pick you up tonight. Get ready."

Before I could respond, he hung up.

No wonder the man who never wanted to touch me suddenly wanted to marry.

It turned out, his ex-girlfriend was getting married, and he was heartbroken.

I ignored Shawn completely, holding onto my mother’s arm tightly.

This year, I wasn’t going anywhere—I would stay with my family.

Outside, the sound of a car horn echoed through the village.

"Ayra, come out! I’m here to take you home."