"Jonathan ... Daphne still hasn't come back. I sent her a message to apologize, but she's ignoring me. Do you think she's mad? Maybe I should move to the guest room."
He patted her back half-heartedly, but his gaze drifted towards the tightly closed room upstairs.
There used to be a woman there who would leave a light on for him every night.
"Don't overthink it. You're afraid of the dark. Why would you sleep in the guest room? This home will be yours from now on. Alright, go back to your room and rest."
After coaxing Wendy back to her room, he walked towards the kitchen, loosening his tie with inexplicable annoyance.
He drank bottle after bottle of wine. The phone screen lit up and then went dark, displaying only one warning message.
[Tomorrow is my dad's wedding. Get your ass back here. Don't embarrass me and Wendy. This is your last chance! If you return, I won't hold it against you for running off.]
On the wedding day, Jonathan escorted a beautifully dressed Wendy, making a high-profile appearance as if Wendy were his rightful wife.
When his father, Dean Zander, approached, he let go of Wendy's hand.
"Why didn't Daphne come with you?"