Ariel knew Jayson only cared about the photos because of Betty, but since they were getting a divorce, there was no need to keep up appearances behind the scenes.

Deleting the photos was the best solution. There was no point in taking up space on his phone and risking Nancy seeing them and getting the wrong idea.

Jayson’s eyes lingered thoughtfully on her face for a few seconds. Then he smirked lightly. “Fine, whatever you want.”

He turned and headed into the bathroom, not insisting or pushing. He was probably even relieved.

Ariel didn’t bother guessing what was really going on in his head. She rubbed her temples, feeling troubled.

Betty staying over was unexpected, and it looked like she planned to be here for a few days.

Ariel couldn’t keep coming here.

She sat on the bed waiting for Jayson to finish showering and took the time to organize some project plans.

When Jayson came out, his hair was half–dried. He walked while typing away on his phone.

Ariel paused, wondering if couples in love were always like this unable to stop checking in with each other, sharing everything, even bringing their phones into the shower.

Was Jayson afraid of missing Nancy’s messages, or was he worried Ariel might see something if the phone was left out in the open?

Ariel’s gaze was calm. Pretending not to notice Jayson’s complete absorption in his phone, she spoke softly, ” Grandma’s probably staying a few more days. I won’t be back after this. I’ll tell her I’m going on a business trip.”

She thought it was a good plan. It’d keep Betty from reading too much into things.

With the federal holiday approaching, she guessed Jayson wanted Betty to celebrate peacefully before telling her about their divorce.

She understood.

Jayson stopped beside the bed, a faint smile playing on his lips as he read a message. After sending a reply, he glanced up at Ariel with casual indifference.

“Business trip?”

He didn’t seem to catch everything she said. Clearly, most of his attention was on his phone.

Ariel knew it but felt no real emotion. She answered quietly, “Yeah.”

She knew he might not have caught all of it, and she wasn’t in the mood to repeat herself.

“Do as you please.” Jayson’s voice was calm, revealing nothing of what he felt. Then he turned over and got into bed.

Leaning against the headboard, he looked at Ariel again. “Want me to turn off the lights?”

Ariel didn’t feel awkward anymore. At this point, calm acceptance was the only way forward.

She lay down at the edge of the bed. “Yes, please.”

Only then did Jayson glance at her back. Beneath the thin cotton T–shirt, her protruding bones were faintly visible, making her look especially slender.

His eyes narrowed for a moment, a fleeting thought crossing his mind.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated. He pulled his attention away, pushing the brief flicker of doubt aside.

He turned off the lights, and they went to sleep.

That night, Ariel slept soundly, unaffected by the man behind her.

When she woke, Jayson was gone.

After freshening up and heading downstairs, she found him already back from the gym, dressed and sitting at the dining table.

When Betty arrived, she brought many expensive supplements and herbal soup packs. They were all neatly stored in the cabinet.

As soon as Ariel came down, Betty handed her a warm bowl of herbal soup. “Take one pack morning and night. It’s great for boosting your energy. You must remember to take it on time, okay? I feel so sorry seeing you looking so worn out.”

She even suggested Ariel get a full checkup, but Ariel was too busy for that.

“Thank you, Grandma.”

Ariel took the soup and drank it down in one go.

The bitterness was fierce, but after all the bottles and pills she’d taken at home and on the go, she had long since learned to swallow them without flinching.