Watching his back disappear into the distance, the relatives around me started whispering.

"Isn't that Old Mr. Henson's son-in-law? Why is he walking off holding some strange woman?"

"Could it be their relationship fell apart and they're getting a divorce? That's way too brazen."

Mom hugged me painfully tight.

But I didn't cry.

Because my failure to see people clearly made Dad leave behind a lifetime of regret.

What right did I have to cry?

After handling my dad's funeral arrangements, my nerves were on the verge of collapse.

Dragging the last of my strength, I returned to the apartment Dad had bought me while he was alive.

The moment the door opened, a strange perfume hit me in the face.

Scarlett sat cross-legged on the couch, holding my game controller, sunflower seed shells spit all over the floor.

"Holy crap! Colin, heal me quick! I'm about to die! Hurry, hurry, hurry—get in front of me!"

Colin sat on the carpet, his face full of indulgence.

"Don't panic, don't panic, I'm here! Who dares touch my bro, I'll wipe him out!"

The two of them bantered back and forth, high-fiving from time to time. That easy, natural intimacy made it seem like they were the couple.

Seeing me push the door open, Scarlett didn't even turn her head. Like she was ordering a maid around, she shouted:

"Oh, Elise is back. There aren't any drinks—go downstairs and grab some Red Bull, okay? Cold, got it! Gaming's got me heated!"

Colin chimed in:

"What are you standing there for? You're the lady of the house. We have guests—hurry up and play hostess!"

I almost laughed.

"This is my apartment. Who said she could come in? Get out!"

Colin's expression darkened.

"Scarlett was worried you'd be home alone overthinking, so she came to keep you company, play some games, help you relax. What's with the attitude?"

I looked at him coldly.

"Keep me company? Or come here to flaunt in my face? Spitting sunflower seed shells all over the floor—aren't you disgusted?"

His brows knitted.

"When did you get so nitpicky? That's just how Scarlett is. Her being casual here means she doesn't see us as outsiders."

I gave a bitter smile and pulled a divorce agreement from my bag.

"Fine. Then I'll be the outsider. Perfect timing—let's divorce."

Colin's expression shifted.

"What the hell are you saying? Just because I avoided a conflict of interest and didn't let you board? I don't agree!"

He pulled a bright red certificate from the nightstand and slapped it onto the table.

It read:

[Captain Colin Matthews, facing unexpected flight oversales, handled the situation properly, prioritized the overall interests, effectively avoided passenger complaints, and protected company reputation. Hereby commended.]

"See this?"

He pointed at the certificate, voice smug.

"This is what avoiding conflicts of interest gets you. I earned my promotion on my own merit, and I got an award!"

"Leadership praised my professional ethics. Because I didn't play favorites and sneak family onto the flight—I put the passengers first."

"Elise, your sacrifice was worth it. This is my honor, and it's yours too. You should be proud to have a husband like me."

Looking at his smug, self-satisfied face, all I felt was nausea.

"Passengers?"

I let out a cold laugh.

"You mean your 'female bro'? Funny how you didn't worry about conflicts of interest then."

Colin didn't show a shred of shame.

"You and I have a marriage certificate. Scarlett and I have nothing."

Scarlett sauntered over, giving me a provocative smile.

"Yeah, just bros. What's there to avoid?"

"Good thing Elise cooperated, or Colin wouldn't have gotten that certificate. Oh right, there's also a bonus—perfect for treating everyone to dinner!"

Colin nodded along.

"Tomorrow night, I booked a celebration dinner. You'll toast Scarlett and apologize for that scene you made at your dad's memorial."

"My dad just died, and you want me to celebrate your success?"

He shrugged, utterly indifferent.

"How were we supposed to know he couldn't hold on? It's not like I killed him. Besides, he's already gone—what's the point of taking it out on us now? Just because your dad died, I'm not allowed to celebrate? Should I die too?" He waved his hand dismissively. "It's settled. We're all friends here. Don't make it awkward."

The celebration was at the most luxurious hotel downtown.

Colin had booked a large private room and invited his flight crew colleagues—and Scarlett.

When I pushed open the door in plain black mourning clothes, the lively room fell silent.

Colin had been mid-brag, wine glass in hand. The moment he saw what I was wearing, disgust flickered across his face.

"Elise, today is my celebration dinner. Who exactly are you mourning? Talk about bad luck."

Scarlett sat pressed against his side in a deep-V spaghetti strap top, tattoos on full display. She stubbed out her cigarette, stood up reeking of alcohol, and grinned.

"Don't jinx it. Today's a big day—Colin got promoted, got a raise, and won an award. We're drinking until we drop!"

His coworkers chimed in eagerly.

"Yeah, Mrs. Matthews, Captain Matthews is our company's role model this year."

"Putting duty above family, keeping public and private separate—that's the kind of awareness we should all learn from."

"And Scarlett's so down-to-earth. Now that's real friendship!"

Every compliment landed like a slap.

Colin's lips curled with barely concealed satisfaction, though he played modest.

"No, no—just doing my job." He glanced at me. "And I should thank my wife. She had some... emotions at the time, wasn't entirely understanding, but in the end, she supported my work."

He poured a full glass of baijiu and held it out to me, eyes sharp with warning.

"Since you're here, lose the long face. Learn from Scarlett—be more generous." He pushed the glass closer. "Come on, honey. Toast her."

The sharp smell of alcohol turned my stomach.

When I didn't move, Scarlett laughed loudly.

"Oh, Colin, don't force her. She obviously hates me—thinks I stole her seat and cost her the chance to see her dad one last time." She turned to me with mock sympathy. "But Mrs. Matthews, be reasonable. Your dad's illness was a burden anyway. What difference does it make if he went a little earlier or later?"

She leaned in, eyes glittering.

"Me, though? That game only happens once every four years. Trading one life your dad was going to lose anyway for Colin's future and my happiness?" She spread her hands. "Pretty good deal, don't you think?"

She snatched the glass and downed it in one go.

"There—I drank it for you. Consider the matter closed." She jabbed a finger at me. "And from now on, stop making such a fuss. Colin and I are just bros. You can't forbid him from having female friends, right?"

Colin yanked Scarlett close and jabbed his finger in my face.

"Elise! You're an embarrassment! Look at Scarlett, then look at yourself! How can you be this petty?" His voice rose. "She treats you with respect as my wife, and you? Your head's full of dirty, disgusting thoughts!"

Scarlett jumped back in seamlessly.

"Colin, don't be so harsh. Women like her are just sensitive—easily jealous, love to blow things out of proportion, can never let anything go." She sighed theatrically. "We already told her we're just bros. If there was really something between us, we'd have been together ages ago. What would she even have to do with it?"

"But she just won't believe it. She insists there's no such thing as pure friendship between a man and a woman—she thinks we're that dirty. I don't know what else I can do."

The moment he finished, his colleagues turned on me with condemning looks.

"Seriously, who doesn't have friends of the opposite sex? Miss Henson is being way too petty."

"Exactly. People with dirty minds see dirt everywhere. She doesn't trust Captain Matthews at all."

"Scarlett's just that type—one of the guys, totally aboveboard. But Miss Henson is so small-minded."

Colin suddenly shoved me hard.

"Yeah, Elise. Seriously, stop walking around with that long face."

"You keep bringing up your dad—aren't you just trying to go after Scarlett?"

"I'll say it plainly: your dad deserved to die!"

"The biggest contribution he made in his whole life was dying when he did, boosting my reputation and helping me get that certificate. He died at the perfect time. You should feel honored for him!"

"Scarlett and I didn't do anything wrong! Our friendship didn't do anything wrong!"

I staggered and caught myself, chest heaving with fury.

Looking at Colin's twisted, smirking face, I opened my phone without hesitation.

Two moans everyone recognized blasted through the private room.

Colin and Scarlett went white in an instant.