Chapter 20: I Miss You

Wendy’s smile faded instantly. She watched as Chase laid out the dishes, poured her a cup of hot water—gentle and attentive as always. If she hadn’t already known Chase had the day off, she might have worried he’d try to slip away again.

The two of them sat in silence. Chase didn’t have much of an appetite; he barely touched a few bites before setting down his cutlery. Wendy, on the other hand, ate a bit more. But when she reached the sweet and sour ribs, she paused.

She looked up at him. “You made this yourself?”

Chase didn’t answer.

Wendy’s expression hardened. She slammed her cutlery down. “Chase, is it that hard for you to cook a meal for me? We agreed last night, and you still went out and bought it?”

For a second, Chase was stunned. She could tell?

Seeing his confusion, Wendy pointed at the sweet and sour ribs. “You always use dried plums in this dish. One bite and I knew you didn’t make it. You didn’t actually think I was dumb enough not to notice, did you?”

Chase stared for a beat, then looked down and chuckled. Some habits really were hard to kill. Wendy loved sweet and sour ribs, and his signature touch was always soaking dried plums and adding them to the braise. He honestly thought she wouldn’t notice.

Wendy had never cared about these little things. She always worked through meals, reading contracts while eating. Even when they were at the same table, they could go the whole meal without exchanging more than a few words.

“I forgot,” Chase said simply. “I’ve been slammed with surgeries, and you brought it up when I was half-asleep. If you hadn’t called me, I probably wouldn’t have come.”

The office was quiet. The only sound was the thrum of both their heartbeats. Wendy stared into Chase’s eyes for a long time, trying to find that familiar warmth he used to show her—but it was gone.

“What do you want from me?” she asked.

Chase didn’t understand why she was mad. This whole thing was an act. The business partners didn’t know the food wasn’t homemade.

“This is a performance. We’re business partners. The act went off without a hitch. I did what you asked.”

forcing him to look at her. “I’ve kept you by my side this long, and you still don’t get what I want?”

“I don’t get it,” Chase replied, calm as ever. “And I don’t want to.”

He gently pushed her hands off him and straightened his clothes. “We’re divorced. I’m helping you because I don’t want Mandy’s efforts to go to waste. I thought I made that clear.”

They parted on bad terms. Even after Chase left, Wendy stayed frozen in her chair. Sam came in and saw the untouched dishes on the table. She didn’t need to ask to know they’d fought again.

Sam had worked with Wendy for years. She wasn’t just a colleague—she was also a friend. “Madam Wendy, you’re pushing him too hard.”

“What else can I do?” Wendy snapped. “The moment I let go, he’s ready to flee the country. What am I supposed to do? Why does he care so much about Henry? I never said I wanted to leave him!”

Sam quietly began cleaning up the mess. “You should really think about what it is you want. You and the mister have been married for five years, and it’s always been lukewarm between you. I remember a few years back, he brought you lunch once…and you threw it away. After that, he never came again.”

That was so long ago, Wendy could barely remember it. In her memory, Chase rarely came to the office. He didn’t like crowds or attention—at least, that’s what she’d assumed.

“Mr. Henry’s locks have been changed,” Sam said as she stacked the trash. “New security guards too. You’re trying to keep Chase, and you’re still looking after Henry. That’s a lot to juggle.” She said it delicately, hoping Wendy would get the message.

That night, Chase slept in the dorm. Without Wendy around, he finally got some peace and quiet. Blanc had gone home, so Chase had the whole place to himself. In the middle of the night, half-asleep, he sensed someone enter the room. He figured it was just a night-duty nurse getting something, so he didn’t bother checking.

A few minutes later, someone crawled into his bed. Chase jolted upright. “Who’s there?!”

A delicate hand clamped over his mouth. “It’s me.”

“Wendy?”

She smelled faintly of alcohol. When Chase confirmed who it was, she let go of his mouth and collapsed into his arms. “Why aren’t you coming home?”

Her warm, soft body pressed against him. Chase was frozen stiff. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“You didn’t come home. So of course I came to find you.”

Wendy lifted her head to look at him again. “Why aren’t you coming back?”

Chase swallowed. “We’re divorced. That’s not my home anymore.”

“Chase…” Wendy wrapped her arms around his neck, her breath warm in his ear. “I miss you.”

Chase’s whole body tensed. She leaned in closer. Her lips were about to brush his neck when her phone rang.

Just like that, Chase snapped out of it and gently pushed her away. Wendy ignored the call at first, but the screen lit up. Henry. They both stared at it for a moment. Wendy didn’t lean back in. She didn’t continue.

Chase looked at her quietly, then asked, “Aren’t you going to answer?”

Wendy finally released him and picked up the phone. “If he’s calling this late, something must have happened.”

“Hello?”

“Wendy, Joy’s burning up again. I gave her medicine, but it’s not working. She keeps crying, asking for the pretty lady. I… I didn’t know what else to do. I had to call you.”

Henry held the phone closer to Joy. On the other end, her raspy little voice sobbed, “Pretty lady, why haven’t you come see me? I miss you…”

Wendy jumped up and grabbed her coat. “I’ll have someone bring you to the hospital. I’m already here.”

Henry frowned. She was still at the hospital at this hour? “Cloud Hospital?”

Henry looked down at the sick child in his arms. After a moment, he said, “No need. I’ll drive her. Is Chase there too?”

“Yes. I’m with him.”

Chase was still in his pajamas, clearly not planning to move. Wendy was already throwing on her coat, ready to head out. She hung up and glanced at Chase, surprised. “You’re not changing?”

Chase frowned. “I’m not a pediatrician. The ER has doctors on call. Let Henry take her.”

“You’re not even going to check on her?”

“I told you. I’m not a pediatrician.”