I'd gone home after lunch feeling victorious, like I'd won some important battle in this territorial war with Xue Lian.
Established dominance, claimed my space, made it clear that Bael's lunch hour belonged to me.
I was wrong.
I'm in the study around evening, pencil moving across paper as I work on an architectural design that's finally starting to come together, lines and angles forming into something cohesive, when my phone buzzes on the desk beside me.
I glance at it absently, expecting maybe Mrs. Zhou with details about the gala, or Grandmother asking when I'll be down for dinner.
Instead, it's from an unknown number, one I didn't save but recognize immediately.
Unknown: *I might keep him a little longer tonight. You don't mind, do you?*
I stare at the screen.
Xue Lian.
Of course it's Xue Lian.
I check the time and it's already close to dinner. Bael should be closing from work soon, should be on his way home by now, but if Xue Lian is with him then…
I see.
