Hearing that, Rene's expression immediately turned cold.

"Ian Quinton, what do you mean by that?" she snapped.

I suppressed the bitterness in my chest and replied evenly, "You and Joshua are alone together in the same room, yet you expect me to stay at a hotel. Rene, don't you think that's going too far?"

In the past, I had suggested transferring my job here so we wouldn't have to live apart. Rene had firmly refused. At the time, she had been especially resolute.

She said, "Ian, we're at the stage of our lives when our careers must come first. Besides, my schedule is so busy that even if you moved here, we still wouldn't see each other often."

Rene had always been adamantly against living together before marriage. No matter how late our dates ran, she would insist that I take her all the way home. Even when dawn was breaking by the time I returned to my own place, she never once allowed me to stay the night.

She would patiently lecture me, "We're only dating. We're not married yet. You need to understand boundaries."

I respected her stance. Everyone had their own principles, and I never forced her. However, I had never imagined that the principles she constantly upheld would be so easily abandoned in Joshua's presence.

My accusation completely infuriated her. She glared at me and said coldly, "Ian, are you questioning me? Joshua and I have nothing to hide, so keep those disgusting thoughts to yourself. Yes, you bought this place, but I never asked you to.

"As my boyfriend, don't you think providing a home for me is only natural? If you insist on speaking this way, I'll leave."

As she spoke, Rene made a show of packing her belongings.

Joshua quickly stepped forward to stop her and soothed her gently. "Rene, calm down. Don't be angry."

He turned to me with a smug look. "Ian, aren't you overreacting? Rene and I have known each other for years. We're practically family. Suggesting anything improper about us being alone together is insulting. Besides, if there were anything between us, do you really think you would have a place here?"

He let out a cold snort and continued comforting Rene.

She appeared more composed after looking at Joshua. "Ian, come outside," she said.

Rene pulled me a considerable distance away before stopping beneath a streetlight. Her attitude softened. She blinked rapidly, forcing a few tears from her eyes.

I had never expected her demeanor to change so completely in just a few minutes.

"Ian, do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me? Even if that's the case, you can't say something so hurtful. I'm your girlfriend!" Rene sobbed.

I was taken aback. "You still remember I'm your boyfriend? If anyone's being hurtful here, isn't it your actions that are more damaging?"

She sobbed, stumbling over her words as she tried to defend herself. "I haven't done anything wrong, so how can you say that about me? You don't understand—I had a reason for letting Joshua stay here.

"He failed at his startup recently and was hit hard. His mental state was terrible, and he couldn't even pay rent. You know I grew up with Joshua. My family was poor, and if it weren't for him supporting and encouraging me all these years, I wouldn't have made it.

"I couldn't just stand by while he faced that kind of hardship. I was afraid he might do something desperate. I had no other choice but to let him stay. Ian, you understand me, right?"

Tears streaked her cheeks as she looked up at me pleadingly.

When I remained silent, she raised a hand and swore, "I know it was wrong not to tell you beforehand. Don't worry, I'll make Joshua move out tonight."

I was skeptical. "Really?"

Rene nodded firmly. "I promise."

But in that moment, I wasn't sure I could trust her again.

She softened her voice and playfully coaxed me into a hotel. "Ian, rest here tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you out for something delicious, and we can go explore together."

Before I could respond, she smiled, kissed me, and left. That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The next morning, I knocked on the apartment door again. Joshua, who should have moved out last night, appeared in front of me wearing only oversized boxers.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes, and a bandage was awkwardly plastered at the corner of his mouth. The moment Joshua saw me, he frowned, and impatience showed on his face. "Ian, don't you think it's a bit inconsiderate to come this early and disturb someone's sleep?"

He tried to pull the door closed. I could no longer hold back my anger, shoved him aside, and stepped inside.

The bedroom door was wide open. Rene hurriedly slipped on a nightdress. "Ian, what are you doing here again? Didn't I say I'd come to find you today?"

Her eyes flickered nervously, and she was secretly tucking something under the pillow. I grabbed her arm and pulled her off the bed.

When I lifted the pillow, the object I saw made my breath catch. I froze on the spot, stunned.