I Stop Our Fateful Night

Chapter 2

Charles stayed the whole night taking care of Isabelle in her room.

The next morning, when I came downstairs, I saw Isabelle busy working in the kitchen.

She fried some eggs, heated a few glasses of milk, cut the toast into triangles, and plated it neatly.

She then set it down in front of Charles, her voice very soft, "Eat it while it's hot."

Charles poked her playfully and laughed, "When did you get so good at taking care of people?"

Speechless, her gaze rested on his face, but the corner of her mouth lifted into a smile.

In my past life, after we got married, she also cooked for me. When I was sick, she would clumsily cook plain porridge for me...

Seeing this scene, I stopped short at the stairhead, my footsteps faltering.

"Jimmy, come have breakfast," Charles called to me.

Isabelle lifted her eyes to look at me, but her gaze had become impassive. No unnecessary words, and no extra expression for me.

When I sat down at the dining table, she stood up and moved to a seat with one empty spot between us.

The way she looked at me was like looking at a complete stranger.

It reminded me of the cold and cruel demeanor she showed back then, when she forced me to leave the marriage with nothing.

After shoving down a quick slice of bread, I stood up to leave the dining area. "I'm done eating. I have classes at university; I'll go now."

"In such a hurry? You haven't drunk your milk yet..." Charles asked, showing concern.

"I'm going to be late," and I grabbed my backpack and fled out the door.

I spent the whole day in the library looking up study abroad information and filling out application forms.

Before, to stay by Isabelle's side, I had to give up that opportunity to study abroad.

This time, however, I will go far away from here and live for myself.

That night, I had planned to stay in the university dormitory, when Charles called me with an excited voice, "Jimmy, come home for dinner! I've got big news to tell you!"

When I arrived home, Isabelle opened the door.

Seeing me, she furrowed her brow. "Why are you back?"

Clearly, she hadn't asked me to come.

"Charles said he has something to tell me," I said quietly, as if whispering to myself.

Charles poked his head out from the kitchen, and he saw me right at the door. "Jimmy, you're back!"

He nudged me down onto the sofa, stuffed a remote control into my hand, and said, "Watch some TV; dinner will be ready soon!"

Isabelle entered the kitchen to help him.

Through the glass door, I saw her leaning in to listen to Charles talk, a faint curve playing at the corner of her mouth, and her eyes were so gentle.

She had cooked for me like that before, too.

For my birthday, she canceled all her work plans and social outings to come home and make me a whole spread of dishes.

"What are you daydreaming about? Anything good?" Noticing I was in a daze, Charles pushed Isabelle out of the kitchen.

"Keep Jimmy company for a bit. I've got the last soup covered."

Isabelle wiped her hands helplessly and sat down on the single sofa diagonally across from me.

There was a good amount of distance between us, and the deafening silence stretched out.

A mindless variety show played on the television, its canned laughter sounding especially grating.

"Jimmy," Isabelle broke the silence, and I looked at her.

She looked at me with a heavy gaze. "Study hard, keep your feet on the ground, and don't think about things that you shouldn't."

My heart felt like it had been squeezed tight in a cruel grip.

Things I shouldn't think about...

In her eyes, the feelings I have for her are just something I shouldn't dare even think about.

Before, when she found my diary, she was shocked. "Jimmy Newman, you make me sick."

She thought I was deliberately sabotaging things, that I was just being greedy.

I only ever liked her. I never said a single word to Charles to ruin their relationship, but she didn't believe me.

"I know," I heard my own calm voice reply, "and I won't."

During dinner, Charles excitedly announced, "Isabelle proposed to me today!"

He held out his hand, the diamond ring sparkling brightly under the light.

"Congratulations." I let a genuine smile spread across my face. "Isabelle, Charles, I wish you both all the happiness in the world."

Her hand, wrapped around her utensil, stilled, and she lifted her eyes to look at me.

I lowered my head and kept eating, pretending I didn't notice her piercing gaze.

After dinner, I volunteered to clear the dishes.

Faint laughter drifted from the living room. Charles was talking about his ideas for the wedding, and Isabelle responded in soft murmurs, her tone full of indulgence.

When I finished washing the dishes, I dried my hands and went out to tell them something had come up and I had to go back to campus.

I'd just reached the living room doorway when I heard Isabelle's plan. "...let him move out after he graduates. I'll buy him an apartment near the school. He's a grown young man now, so it's inconvenient for him to keep living with us."

Charles disagreed, "But it's so dangerous for Jimmy to live alone. Besides, you two are siblings, so what's wrong with him living with you?"

Isabelle rebutted with a cool and even demeanor. "He's grown up now; he needs his own life. Moreover, we need our alone time as a couple."

I stood where I was and didn't listen any further.

I turned, crept quietly upstairs, grabbed my bag, and left.

After walking for some distance, I sent Charles a message:

Charles, something came up at school suddenly; I headed back first. Good night to you both.

I took a deep breath.

Moving out is fine by me.

The farther I stay, the safer it is.