Chapter 9

It was already 7:00 pm, but Jonathan still hadn’t announced the start of his birthday party.

Jonathan sat on the couch, fidgeting with a lighter while bearing a cold expression. He would occasionally raise his wrist to look at the time. On top of that, he would also unlock his phone screen from time to time.

“Jon.” Evelyn bit her lip and lightly tugged at his sleeve. “It’s getting late, and everyone’s hungry…”

Jonathan glanced at her with a smile. Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t offer a sincere one.

“You’re the one who’s hungry, right?” he teased while pinching Evelyn’s cheek

Evelyn conveniently leaned into his arms and pouted. “I’m famished! I really want to have some cake!”

That was when Jonathan caught a whiff of a faint but familiar perfume scent. He stiffened, then spoke with a lowered tone. “What perfume are you using?”

“I grabbed a random perfume bottle from the dressing room at home.” Evelyn was taken aback. “What’s wrong, Jon? Does it smell bad?”

Jonathan shook his head “No, it’s good.”

It smelled like a perfume Ruth often used, but Jonathan couldn’t recall the brand in that instant.

As everyone merrily had a cake fight, Jonathan went to the balcony with a pack of cigarettes. He still hadn’t received a reply, so his phone was silent the entire time. Ruth once promised never to miss his birthdays. Yet, she had already broken her promise this soon.

Jonathan narrowed his eyes frostily. He recorded a voice message, saying, “Are you dead, Ruth? Why aren’t you responding?

Alas, the message couldn’t be sent red exclamation signal showed at the top corner of Jonathan’s message. It was jarring.

Jonathan realized Ruth had blocked him. He dialed her number without hesitation, Sadly, he couldn’t reach her phone.

He stood on the balcony, staring into the night sky in the distance. There was an indescribable flame spreading in his chest.

Jonathan kept telling himself that he was the one who didn’t want Ruth. He had ditched her for a new girl. Moreover, he was the person who got tired of her and no longer washed for her to cling to him.

Things had initially turned out as he wanted now, but he didn’t feel as happy as he thought he would be.