She was wearing a cream-colored cashmere coat, a silk blouse underneath, high-waisted wide-leg pants, and sharp-pointed heeled boots.
"You must be Vivian?"
The woman stepped closer, her smile warm.
"I heard from your uncle that you had a fever, so I specifically asked the kitchen auntie to stew some snow pear with rock sugar. It's good for the lungs and can soothe coughs, drink it while it's hot, it's good for your throat."
But Vivian Sinclair suddenly seemed to be paused by a remote control, frozen in place.
She stared at the woman in front of her, her throat slightly tight.
"You... you are?"
The woman seemed to sense her unease, her smile unchanged.
"Oh, you just returned, so you might not know. I'm your uncle's partner, Elara Joyce."
She paused, as if trying to recall.
"I came over yesterday when Prescott was leaving, but then got an urgent meeting at work and left early, so I didn't get to meet you."
As she spoke, she gently placed the thermos cup on the bedside table.
"Partner?"
Vivian murmured the word.
This word sounded like a dull thunder, unexpectedly exploding in Vivian Sinclair's mind.
Elara Joyce walked in with a bright smile.
She gently placed a steaming bowl of medicine on the table.
Then she raised her hand and lightly touched Vivian Sinclair's hair.
"Oh, this child has a feverish face, and her forehead is really hot, just looking at it makes you feel for her."
She said as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
"We originally planned to go shopping today, a new Japanese restaurant opened in the mall and I heard the food is good. But seeing you like this, pale and feverish, we won't go, we'll stay home with you, chat a little, play some cards, time flies, right?"
"No... no need."
Vivian instinctively shrank back.
She avoided Elara Joyce's gaze, her voice weak.
She never imagined Curtis would actually be with someone else.
During school, he was a figure like the "campus heartthrob."
His high nose bridge, short and neat hair.
When he smiled, the whole corridor was illuminated like sunlight.
Not only was he handsome, he was also gentle and courteous to others.
Numerous girls admired him, from the school beauty to the top student of the grade.
But he didn't accept any, not a single one.
Not because he was indifferent, but because he was serious.
He would politely refuse everyone who confessed to him.
He once laughed and said, "I'm not thinking about dating now, want to finish studying first."
Vivian remembered this sentence and had often thought about it.
She secretly thought…
He didn't plan to date.
But now it seems, she had thought too much.
Turns out, he wasn't uninterested in dating.
He just didn't fancy those people.
And Elara Joyce was clearly different.
But Vivian couldn't express what she truly felt.
Was it disappointment?
Bitterness?
Or a subtle jealousy?
She couldn't discern.
"Forget it, shopping can be boring, the sunlight is so glaring, with just a few steps you'll be sweating."
Elara Joyce still smiled brilliantly, her eyes sparkling.
She lightly clapped her hands and suggested cheerfully.
"Why don't we ask your uncle, the three of us play some mobile games together? Relax and have fun, time will fly by."
Vivian was about to decline, her lips slightly parted, only squeezing out half a "I" when the door softly opened.
Curtis Prescott's tall figure appeared at the door, wearing a simple light gray T-shirt.
He walked in, his gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Vivian's face.
"Still feverish? Have you taken medicine?"
Before she could answer, Elara Joyce already naturally stood up and went over to link arms with him.
The two sat together on the sofa nearby, the sofa slightly sinking.
She turned her head and smiled, her voice light.
"We'll keep our niece company playing games, pass the time, so we won't go shopping. Just right for you to rest, don't keep working all the time, that's too tiring."
"Alright."
Curtis nodded.
He glanced at the time, casually saying: "Let's play that game we used to play, three of us can team up, we know how to cooperate."
Vivian's heart slightly trembled when she heard "we used to."
She thought those words were spoken to her.
After all, that game was one she and Curtis used to play together.
Many weekend afternoons, they sat on the living room sofa with one earphone each, playing games while chatting.
Sometimes when they lost a round he would rub her hair and smile saying "Don't worry, I'll carry you next round."
She was about to nod and agree, but heard Elara Joyce cheerfully chime in.
"So great! A new season just started this week, ranks reset, such a great chance. You can help me rank up! I've practiced several matches this week yet still stuck at Star Glory, without you, I just can't win."
At that moment, the air seemed to freeze.
Vivian's smile stiffened on her lips.
It turns out, that game, he also played with Elara Joyce many times.
Not just once, but often.
And she, just now found out.
She silently lowered her head, fingers subconsciously digging into her palm.
But the oppressive feeling never dissipated.
That glimmer of hope felt like smoke blown away by the wind.
She originally thought perhaps he would look at her like before, one more time.
But reality hit her hard.
The tenderness he showed her years ago was likely just out of an elder's care for a junior.
That gentleness never went beyond boundaries.
She should have seen it clearly sooner.
The three logged into their game accounts.
Curtis somehow added two more people to the team, just enough for a five-person rank match.
The team list on the screen flickered, two unfamiliar IDs appeared.
Curtis's tone was casual: "My friends, let's play together, just what we need."
Elara Joyce smiled and nodded in agreement.
Vivian said nothing, silently clicked "accept invite".
He picked the marksman position, Elara Joyce immediately chose a support.
Her movements always stayed close, occasionally sending signals like "watch your position" or "beware of the bush."
That focus was obvious, more than just typical teammate synergy.
Vivian chose the mid-lane.
Her skills aren't top-notch, but always cautious.
She picked a mage with fast wave clearing and strong survival ability, playing steadily without being rash.
Early on she quietly farmed minions, taking each wave to the fullest, not greedy nor lacking.
Occasionally spotting the enemy mid-laner positioned too forward.
She would immediately send a signal on the mini-map to alert her teammates.
"Careful, the enemy jungler might be coming."
Suddenly, the enemy jungler appeared.
A shadow suddenly leapt out, combo skills unleashed in an instant.
Vivian's heart tightened, her fingers jerked, almost misplaying.
She didn't even see who the opponent was, only managed to cast a slowing skill, as despair filled her mind.
She was startled, quickly used flash.
But was still chased down.
The edge of the screen's flash effect had just dissipated.
The enemy jungler's third skill landed.
Her health rapidly fell into the red.
Her heart nearly pounding through her chest.
Earphones echoed with Elara Joyce's voice.
"Watch out on the bottom lane! Four of them are pressuring the tower!"