Chapter 4
Jaguar would occasionally gift me paintings he had made himself, portraits of me from every angle, as if I were the only thing he could see.
He would also cook amazing food for me. I couldn't even name half the dishes, but somehow, every single one perfectly suited my tastes.
Before rainy days, he would massage my knees to keep the pain at bay.
It felt like he knew me better than I understood myself.
This was a stark contrast to Adrian, who didn't even know that I couldn't stand cilantro, let alone that my knees ached whenever it rained, after all the years we had been together.
He never went out of his way to get me gifts. Instead, after accepting mine, he would go on about how above material things he was, as if my giving him gifts was wrong, while his taking them was completely justified.
I was done wasting my energy on such an exhausting, unrewarding relationship.
I redirected all my previous devotion onto Jaguar because whenever I gave him a gift, he would find a way to return the favor with two or more…
Even if the gifts weren't expensive, his gestures made me happy for days.
…
It wasn't until the Sterling family's business gala drew near that Adrian suddenly remembered my existence. By the time he came to me, I had nearly forgotten he existed.
He arrived at the Sterling residence holding hands with Poppy, boldly walking in, looking like a couple.
In the past, I definitely would have been angry and jealous, but now, I felt absolutely nothing. If anything, he suddenly seemed so much older, and even a little ugly.
I looked away, slightly disgusted.
Jaguar was honestly much better looking.
"Evelyn, why haven't you reached out to me lately?" Adrian asked in a casual, indifferent voice. "My company has been running into a few issues…"
I wasn't in the mood to listen to him cry poverty, so I cut him off. "You didn't bother to reach out to me either, did you?"
He looked a little awkward as he said, "I've been busy with work lately. Shall Poppy and I have dinner with you tonight?"
He just wanted to get a free meal, yet somehow, he managed to sound high and mighty, claiming to treat me to a meal.
I had heard Jaguar was going to cook a feast for me tonight, and I absolutely didn't want to share it with outsiders.
Just as I was about to refuse, Adrian seamlessly changed the subject. "The Sterling family gala is in a few days. Why aren't Mr. Rhodes' custom-tailored outfits ready yet?
"Oh, and why don't we have him make a gown for Poppy, too? I'm planning to bring her along so she can network and gain some exposure."
I frowned impatiently. "Why are you telling me that? Tell Mr. Rhodes yourself."
He froze awkwardly in place. "You know Mr. Rhodes refuses to make clothes for anyone outside of the Sterling family."
I laughed. So, it seemed like Adrian knew he wasn't worthy.
Noticing the smirk on my face, it finally dawned on him that something was wrong.
Staring at me, he stiffly let go of Poppy's hand, and his voice softened. "Evelyn, are you mad at me? Are you upset because I haven't visited lately?"
I studied him coldly and couldn't help thinking about my terrible taste in men back then.
Just then, Poppy, who had been hiding behind Adrian, excitedly piped up. "Jaguar Reed? What are you doing here?"
"It's me, Poppy… your junior from the student council. Do you remember me?"
She walked up and looked at him, her eyes shining bright with anticipation.
Jaguar frowned. "I don't know you."
Standing to the side, Adrian bristled the moment he heard the name "Jaguar Reed" and whipped his head in Jaguar's direction.
With just one look, his furious expression drained into a blank shock.
Then, he began trembling slightly and fixed Jaguar with a deadly glare before turning on me.
"Why is he wearing the custom suit Mr. Rhodes made?" he demanded.
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