Chapter 1

Whitney Scott and Cody Larson had been together forever—childhood friends turned high school sweethearts turned husband and wife. Everyone thought their love story was the stuff of fairy tales. The only thing missing was a child.

Cody's grandmother and mother had both died in childbirth, and that fear had haunted him all his life. And so, even after four years of marriage, he still refused to let Whitney get pregnant.

She respected his feelings, so she never brought up having children and chose to remain childfree with him.

But Cody's grandfather made one final demand on his deathbed—the Larson family had to have an heir.

Unwilling to let Whitney take the risk, Cody sent people all over the city to search for a woman who resembled her.

A month later, Yvette Sloan stood in front of them. She had the same eyes as Whitney. Even her dimples were in almost the exact same spots when she smiled.

"Whit, I'm just borrowing her womb." Cody held her face gently, his eyes pleading. "As soon as the baby's born, she's gone. I swear, I won't catch feelings."

Whitney believed him.

But then, on her birthday, Cody told her he had an emergency at work when really, he was at the clinic with Yvette for her ovulation check.

On their anniversary, he said that he was out of town for business, but he spent the night in a hotel with that woman.

She had a high fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit and called him for help. He picked up, only to say, "It's her ovulation window. There's a higher chance of conceiving. I need to sleep with her first. Call the doctor yourself, okay?"

And still, Whitney held it all in because he kept saying, "Whit, this is just for my family. You're the only one I truly love."

That was until the day she got into a car accident and lay on the operating table covered in blood. Trembling from the pain, she called him again and again, but he never picked up.

Later, she found out he had been in bed with Yvette again.

When she got home after the surgery, she overheard him out on the balcony, smoking and chatting with his friends.

"I want to throw a wedding for Yvette," he said.

At that moment, Whitney finally understood that he was afraid of her dying but didn't care if she lived through hell.

Every word of the conversation on the balcony reached Whitney's ears, clear and unfiltered.

"Cody, are you seriously planning a wedding for Yvette? You're even flying in flowers from overseas?"

"Yeah." Cody's voice carried that familiar tenderness Whitney once knew. "The wedding dress and jewelry are all set and tailored to her taste."

"That must've cost over a billion dollars, right? You didn't even go all out like this for your wedding to Whitney…"

"Yeah, didn't you say you only loved Whitney? Why are you having a wedding with Yvette? Have you actually caught feelings for her?"

The cigarette tip flickered in and out. Cody stayed silent for a long time.

"So what if I have?" His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke. "At first, I only treated her like a tool. But now…"

Whitney gripped the doorknob so tightly that her nails dug into her palm.

"I think about her during meetings, while I'm eating, and when I'm not with her. I even..." He paused. "I even think about her when I'm in bed with Whit."

"So you love both of them now? Cody, are you out of your mind? If Whitney finds out, she'll leave you. You'll regret it when—"

"She won't find out. I'll handle it well." Cody cut him off, his tone firm and final. "Whit already has the title as my wife, so I have to make it up to Yvette too. A wedding is the least I can do. If anything, I'm afraid it's not enough."

Outside the door, Whitney bit down on her lip so hard that she tasted blood. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Cody, who used to love her so deeply, had actually said it himself that he had fallen for two women at the same time? How was that even possible?

Everyone in their circle knew Cody adored Whitney.

When she had a high fever at 15, he skipped school and climbed over the wall to carry her to the clinic. He even camped outside the ER for three days straight.

In college, when she collapsed from period cramps, he caught the midnight train with a thermos of chamomile tea and waited outside her dorm until sunrise.

When he proposed, he kneeled in the snow, his voice shaking as he said, "Whit, marry me. I'll love you forever."

Whitney could still hear those promises in her head. But now, Cody was saying, "I did fall in love with Yvette."

He said he missed Yvette whenever she wasn't around and that he zoned out during meetings just thinking about her. Even at night, with Whitney in his arms, his mind was still on Yvette.

He said he wanted to give Yvette a wedding worth over a billion dollars, grander than the one he had with Whitney.

And it was precisely because she had once been loved so completely that this betrayal now cut so deep it felt like it was tearing her heart apart.

Did Cody even remember that she had told him clearly on their wedding day that she only wanted a love that was hers and hers alone? If he couldn't give her that, then she would rather have nothing at all.

Whitney raised her hand to wipe her tears, but her fingers accidentally brushed against the wind chime under the eaves. The sharp, crisp sound startled everyone on the balcony. Their conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Cody rushed out, panic written all over his face. "Whit? When did you get back? What… did you hear?"

His friends followed behind, all looking pale.

Whitney wanted to tell him she had heard everything. But what was the point?

He would never admit it because he wanted both women.

So she looked away and forced her voice to stay calm. "I just got back. What were you guys talking about? Is it something I shouldn't hear?"

The guys glanced at each other, instantly catching on.

"No, it's nothing like that. We just heard your birthday's coming up in a few days. Cody gathered us to plan a surprise for you."

"That's right. Cody's crazy about you. Of course he'd start planning early for a big day like this. Just wait, Whitney. You're going to be so touched that you'll cry your eyes out."

They chuckled awkwardly, mumbling excuses, and slowly dispersed.

Cody wrapped his arm around Whitney's shoulders as they walked into the villa. He took her coat, hung it up carefully, then immediately asked someone to bring her a warm glass of milk.

His words dripped with concern as he said, "You don't look so good. What happened the other day? You called me so many times."

Whitney turned away. "It's nothing. I dialed the wrong number. Anyway, where's Yvette? Don't you need to be with her?"

Cody frowned, thinking she was jealous. He quickly tried to soothe her. "What for? She's just a tool to me, Whit."

Whitney didn't call him out. She simply turned upstairs, grabbed a few things, and said that she was heading out.

Cody had no idea why she was heading out again when she just came home, but he still picked up the car keys and offered to drive her.

On the drive, he kept talking. One moment he asked if she wanted to try that newly opened restaurant tonight, and the next he asked if she wanted a spa appointment. He said he could book it right then. Then he brought up her birthday, asking what kind of gift she wanted this year.

Whitney sat quietly without saying a word.

It didn't take long for Cody to sense that something was off. "Whit, why are you suddenly going to the DMV?"

She lowered her eyes, just about to answer when his phone rang. Even from a distance, she could hear Yvette's voice.

"Mr. Larson, I'm back from shopping. You told me to spend the entire eight million dollars on the card. I did it."

Cody let out a small hum. His face showed mild irritation, but his voice was doting. "Make sure you wear what you bought. Don't embarrass me next time we go out."

"I will. Where are you now?"

"I'm out with Whit." He glanced at Whitney. "Why?"

"Today's… my ovulation day," Yvette said shyly. "You mentioned you wanted to see me in that black lingerie. I bought it. I'll be waiting at the hotel…"

The moment Cody heard those last few words, his expression shifted instantly. He slammed on the brakes.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath and hung up. Turning to Whitney, he said, "Whit, there's an emergency at work that I need to take care of. You're almost there. Can you walk the rest of the way?"

Whitney clutched the seatbelt with a death grip, her nails digging deep into her skin.

Calmly, she unbuckled it. "Sure."

The cold wind blew her hair into a mess as she stepped out of the car. She watched as the sleek sports car disappeared down the road.

Then she turned around and walked the rest of the way to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Pulling out her documents, she handed them to the clerk. "Hi, I'd like to cancel my ID."

Chapter 2

"Ms. Scott, your request has been submitted. The result will be available in two working weeks," the clerk said.

Those words made Whitney realize that it would all be over in just half a month.

By that time, she would change her name, move abroad, and erase herself from Cody's life for good.

…

Back home, Whitney started packing away everything Cody had ever given her.

That room, dedicated to storing jewelry, held pieces that each carried a shared memory between them.

She picked up a diamond necklace, her fingers brushing lightly across the cold stone.

Cody had won this at an auction for their first anniversary. That night, he had fastened it around her neck and whispered in her ear, "Whit, diamonds are forever. Just like them, my heart will belong to you and you alone forever."

Whitney let out a bitter laugh. Those priceless jewels, the luxury cars, the houses, and the carefully chosen gifts had all become the most ironic proof of his betrayal.

She had the high-end jewelry anonymously donated and then burned everything else.

In the flames, she thought she saw the Cody she used to know.

The teenager who once set off fireworks across the whole city just because she said she wanted to see some.

The man who sat by her bedside all night when she had a fever.

The husband who promised, "You're the only one I'll ever want."

All of them went up in smoke.

…

Three days later, Cody came home and noticed that the house looked emptier than before. He frowned. "Whit, why is so much stuff gone?"

"It was damp from the rain. I had someone put some things away," Whitney replied calmly, though her gaze flicked to the faint kiss mark barely visible on his neck.

Cody took her hand. "Today's your birthday. I've been working on a surprise for days. Come with me."

Whitney let him lead her to the car. She had already seen through his act, but she wanted to see how far he would go with the performance.

She got in the car and followed him to their destination, only to realize that he had planned a birthday party for her.

The party was lavish, filled with Eldoria's elite. And amid the dazzling crowd, Whitney caught sight of a familiar figure—Yvette.

She was dressed in an elegant mermaid dress, her shoulder-length hair framing a face that was innocent and delicate. Yet, she carried a shy, youthful air that seemed almost like a student's.

At a glance, she did look strikingly similar to Whitney, so much so that several guests mistook her identity. They approached her with glasses in hand, smiling warmly and greeting her as "Mrs. Larson".

Yvette had never been in a situation like this before. Surrounded on all sides, she looked like a frightened little rabbit, her eyes turning red with panic.

Cody took one glance at her and instinctively frowned. He was already moving to help her out, but Whitney stopped him. "Why did you bring her here on my birthday?"

"She's never been to an event like this before and just wanted to experience it. Whit, don't worry. I told her to behave. She won't cause any trouble."

With that, Cody strode into the crowd and placed Yvette protectively behind him.

Seeing his gesture, the guests couldn't help but offer their compliments.

"Mr. Larson, after all these years, you two are still so in love. All we did was say hello, and you're already jealous and rushing to shield her. You two really are inseparable!"

Whitney listened to the compliments and glanced at Yvette, who was tucked behind Cody. Her chest tightened, as though something was lodged there, and she could hardly breathe.

Cody frowned as well and instinctively turned to Whitney. His tone was laced with annoyance as he said, "You've got it wrong. She's Whitney's cousin."

Whitney stayed quiet. A flicker of irony glinted in her eyes.

Yvette had stolen her husband. And yet, Whitney had to pretend like Yvette was her cousin in front of everyone. All because Yvette was sensitive and afraid of gossip, Cody gave her this convenient label of "cousin" to cover up what they really were.

For a moment, everyone fell into an awkward silence.

Then, they rushed to smooth things over, commenting on how much the two ladies looked alike, before directing their flattery toward Whitney.

But Cody's attention had already shifted to Yvette. When she whispered that she was hungry, he immediately escorted her to the buffet.

She was in her early 20s and curious about everything. She wanted to try a bite of whatever she saw. If something tasted good, she would offer half to Cody.

His expression stayed cool, but he accepted every bite she handed him.

When Yvette coughed from eating too fast, he gently patted her back. When crumbs clung to the corner of her lips, he took out a handkerchief to wipe them away with an affectionate smile.

Watching them share those intimate little moments from a distance, Whitney felt like her heart was being pricked over and over again. Still, she had to keep up appearances and continue entertaining the guests around her.

"Mrs. Larson, were you and Mr. Larson at the Lysander's auction the other day? I thought I saw you there. The emerald earrings he bid ten million dollars for would've gone perfectly with your dress. Why aren't you wearing them tonight?"

Another guest said, "I think I saw you two at a bar not long ago too. You were being all lovey-dovey, so I didn't dare interrupt. You've been married for so long and are still so in love. Honestly, you two make the rest of us jealous."

"Oh! I ran into Mr. Larson at the hospital two days ago. He was waiting outside the OB-GYN. Mrs. Larson, are you two finally giving up the childfree life and planning for a baby?

"That would be such wonderful news! A child would really bring life to the family. And with Mr. Larson loving and doting on you the way he does, I just know the three of you will be so happy together!"

Chapter 3

The smile Whitney had forced onto her face slowly froze as the guests chattered on, her complexion turning pale as she realized that the "Mrs. Larson" they were talking about was actually Yvette.

So Cody had taken Yvette to so many places, done so many things, and met so many people behind her back.

They had spent every day together, never leaving each other's side. No wonder his feelings for Yvette had gradually changed.

"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," she said, fleeing in a panic. She was afraid that she would break down right there if she stayed for another second.

In the restroom mirror, Whitney saw her own pale face staring back at her. She turned on the faucet, letting the icy water rush over her trembling hands.

It turned out that when heartbreak cut deep enough, even breathing became difficult.

When she finally pulled herself together and stepped out, an amorous sound drifted through the dim hallway.

"Mr. Larson…" Yvette's delicate voice came through, mixed with breathless moans.

Whitney froze.

Around the corner, Cody had Yvette pinned against the wall as he kissed her like a man possessed. His hands gripped her slender waist, and his kisses were fierce and urgent. He looked nothing like the restrained, careful man Whitney knew.

"Mr. Larson, stop… I can't breathe…" Yvette blushed as she pushed him away, her voice dripping with sultry sweetness.

Cody chuckled and brushed his thumb against her swollen lips. "You handled all those positions just fine last night. And now you can't even take a kiss?"

"That many times in one night…" Yvette buried her face in his chest. "I wonder how Ms. Scott ever kept up with you…"

"Are you jealous? Whit and I are just connected on a mental level. In bed, only you can turn me on. Once you have the baby, I'll get you your own villa."

Cody lifted her chin, coaxing gently, "Stay with me, okay?"

Yvette nodded sweetly, then rose on her toes and kissed him. The two melted into each other again. Cody scooped her into his arms and strode toward the garage.

Whitney stared as the car began to rock in the shadows. Her chest ached so sharply it felt like it was being torn open.

She closed her eyes, remembering how Cody had always been careful with her in bed. His every touch was restrained, and he never let his desire take full control.

She thought it was because he cherished her—she never realized it was simply because he felt no desire for her at all.

And now that he had found someone who matched him perfectly in bed, he was completely consumed, so much so that he even lied to her to plan a wedding for Yvette.

A wave of helplessness and grief swept through her. She staggered back into the hall, forcing a smile as she continued playing hostess.

Drained and weary, she turned around, only to see Yvette approaching her with a timid look.

Her lips were red and swollen, and her carefully done makeup was smudged with sweat. A few obvious red marks dotted her neck.

"M-Ms. Scott…" Yvette mumbled, fiddling nervously with the hem of her dress. "Do you have any makeup with you? I need to touch mine up a bit."

Whitney clenched her fists so hard that her nails cut into her palms. The pain was the only thing keeping her anger buried.

Just as she was about to speak, someone bumped into the champagne tower beside them. Hundreds of crystal glasses came crashing down.

Before Whitney could react, shards of glass flew everywhere. Pain sliced across her skin as she hit the ground hard.

She lifted her head with effort, only to see Cody rush over in a flash. Without a moment's hesitation, he pulled Yvette into his arms and shielded her protectively.

His suit was torn by the glass, but all he cared about was the woman in his embrace. "Where are you hurt?"

"My ankle…" Yvette's voice trembled, her eyes welling up like a frightened doe's.

Without a word, Cody swept her into his arms. It was only as he turned that he finally saw Whitney on the ground. His gaze faltered for just a second. But the moment he met Yvette's tear-filled eyes, he walked out of the hall without looking back.

Whitney lay on the cold, hard floor.

Her birthday cake was crushed under people's feet. The bouquet that read "Happy 26th Birthday, Whitney" was kicked to the side, flattened beyond recognition.

Tears mixed with blood rolled down her cheeks, stinging every wound.

She bit down hard and dragged herself up. Alone, she hailed a cab and went to the hospital.

…

In the ER, a nurse cleaned Whitney's wounds. The sting of the alcohol made her gasp sharply, but she refused to make a sound.

"Your injuries are pretty bad. Did you come alone?" the nurse asked gently.

Whitney gave a small, strained smile. "I can manage."

On her way to the pharmacy, she passed by one of the VIP wards.

The door was ajar. Through the gap, she saw Cody kneeling on the floor, gently tending to Yvette's injured ankle.

"It hurts…" Yvette pouted.

Cody lowered his head and blew softly on the wound. "There, there. A little blow, and it'll feel better."

His gentle tone made Whitney's eyes burn.

Last year, when she cut her hand while cooking, Cody had scolded her gently while cleaning her wound. "Whit, don't go into the kitchen again. Let the maids handle it. There, there. A little blow and it'll feel better."

Just then, two nurses stepped out of the ward and started gossiping the moment the door shut.

"She just got a tiny scratch, and her boyfriend actually threw money around to get the hospital director to come see her. Tsk tsk, talk about being spoiled."

"A hottie who spoils his girlfriend like that? Gosh. She's seriously lucky to have someone so devoted and attentive. I'm dying of envy."

Whitney slowly closed her eyes.

She remembered how Cody used to take medicine with her just to coax her into taking hers. He would even get up in the middle of the night to turn on every light when she went to the bathroom just so she wouldn't bump into anything.

The man who once cared for her so deeply, who used to see no one but her, now loved and doted on another woman.

So what reason did she have left to stay?

Chapter 4

Days passed, and Cody still hadn't come home. He only sent a brief text, saying he would be away on a business trip for a few days.

Whitney knew he was with Yvette, so she didn't bother replying.

Once upon a time, if she went five minutes without replying, he would call frantically and search high and low for her. Now, even silence didn't seem to bother him.

Whitney stayed in the hospital for a few days to recover. On the day she was discharged, she happened to pass by her college campus. On impulse, she parked and went in for a walk.

As she strolled down the tree-lined path, it felt like she had slipped back in time.

"Whit, slow down!" That teenager's voice from her memories still echoed in her ears.

Back then, Cody would always be chasing behind her, clutching her forgotten textbooks or her favorite bubble tea. Sunlight would filter through the leaves, dancing across his youthful face.

Whitney wandered until she reached the lecture halls. Suddenly, a familiar burst of laughter snapped her back to reality.

She looked up and spotted two familiar figures in the distance. Cody, dressed casually, was walking hand in hand with Yvette. The two of them laughed and chatted as they strolled through the campus.

He looked so young and relaxed—nothing like the cold, polished Mr. Larson everyone knew.

Female students passing by turned their heads, whispering about the stunning "campus couple". When curious classmates asked about them, Yvette would blush and say that Cody was her boyfriend. And he never corrected her.

He drank her favorite bubble tea with her, fixed her messy bangs, and even offered to attend class with her.

However, Yvette turned him down. "You don't have to. That class is super boring. Don't you have an important meeting?"

Cody raised a brow. "And who was the one begging me in bed last night to come meet your roommates as your boyfriend today?"

He leaned in and whispered something in her ear, which made her face turn bright red.

"But—" Yvette still tried to refuse.

"No buts." Cody cut her off, looking at her gently. "Work can wait. You're graduating soon. There won't be many chances left for me to sit in class with you."

He paused for a moment, and a smile tugged at his lips. It was the kind of smile Whitney hadn't seen in a long time. "And when I'm with you, I feel like I'm young again. Like I can be myself."

The words struck Whitney like a blade, slicing deep into her chest.

She finally understood why Cody had fallen for Yvette.

This young woman gave him something marriage had slowly drained from him—freedom and youth.

Whitney turned away with a bitter smile, ready to leave, only to run straight into Yvette, who had gone back to her dorm to grab something.

The moment Yvette saw Whitney, her face paled. Her tone was laced with nervousness as she said, "Ms. Scott, why are you here? Mr. Larson just dropped me off for class. Please don't misunderstand."

But there was nothing left for Whitney to misunderstand. She shook her head and said she was just visiting the campus, then turned to leave without another word.

But Yvette chased after her, wanting to explain. Just as she opened her mouth, she saw a flowerpot falling from a classroom window. Without thinking, she shoved Whitney out of the way.

The next moment, Yvette collapsed to the ground. Blood streamed from her forehead, pooling rapidly beneath her.

Whitney was frozen in shock. Her hands trembled as she reached for her phone to call 911.

However, she was shoved aside by Cody, who had raced over like a madman.

A sharp, stinging pain shot through her scraped arm. When she looked up, she met Cody's eyes, which were dark with restrained anger.

He seemed to be holding himself back, but there was still a trace of fury in his voice. "Whit, I've told you again and again that Yvette and I just have a business arrangement. I pay her, and she'll give me a child. Why can't you trust me? Why follow me here and cause trouble for her? Are you happy now?"

After all their years together, this was the first time Cody had ever turned on her for someone else.

Her mind went blank. She wanted to explain, but he had already scooped Yvette into his arms and stormed off.

Whitney stood frozen for a few seconds before rushing after them. She was just in time to see Cody run red lights like a man possessed, desperately rushing Yvette to the ER.

When the nurse said the blood bank was running low, he immediately rolled up his sleeve, ready to donate his own blood.

Whitney watched him from outside the room. He kept his eyes locked on the operating room's door as the nurse drew his blood.

After 600 ml, the nurse paused, saying that it was for his own safety. She told him to either contact someone with the same blood type to donate more blood or wait two hours for it to be transferred from another hospital.

Upon hearing that, Cody completely lost it. His voice turned sharp. "Wait? Yvvy doesn't have time to wait! I don't want to lose even a minute. Keep going!"

"But she still needs at least 1,000 ml. If you keep donating, your own life could be at risk—"

"I don't care! I just want her safe! If anything happens to her, I'll make sure everyone pays the price!"

The nurse flinched. She was too scared to argue, so she inserted the needle again.

Bag after bag of blood was rushed to the operating room. Cody's face grew paler and paler until he finally passed out.

At that moment, news came from the operating room. The surgery had been a success.

Whitney's tightly wound nerves finally relaxed, and only then did she escort Cody to a ward.

Even unconscious, his brows were tightly furrowed, and he kept murmuring Yvette's name. A bitter ache spread through Whitney's chest.

She sat with him all night. When morning came, she received a call from the immigration agency she had contacted earlier.

She stepped out of the room to take it, confirming the details with the staff on the other end.

"Yes, I'll be leaving in about five days—"

Before she could finish, the door behind her slammed open.

She turned around, only to have Cody grab her hand tightly. His voice was laced with a panic she had never heard from him before. "Leaving? Whit, where are you going?"

Chapter 5

Whitney hadn't expected Cody to wake up so suddenly. Before she could come up with something to say, he was already apologizing.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things to you yesterday. I know the flowerpot incident wasn't your fault. You were just as much a victim. I was just terrified something might happen to Yvette, and I spoke without thinking. I didn't mean to snap at you. Please don't be upset."

Whitney knew that he was just too worried about Yvette to think clearly. She looked away, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "You don't have to explain. I get it."

Seeing that her expression seemed normal, Cody finally let out a breath of relief. "Then who were you on the phone with just now? Where are you going?" he asked.

"Not me. A friend of mine is coming over to visit," Whitney lied smoothly.

Cody nodded, not suspecting anything. "Your friend should be staying for a month, right? That's perfect. She can keep you company. I'll be flying overseas in five days for an important project. With her around, I'll feel a lot better about leaving."

His gaze flickered slightly when he said it, but Whitney caught it. She knew he was lying.

Five days later, he wouldn't be flying overseas for work. He would be giving Yvette a grand wedding.

Once, there had been a time when they told each other everything. Yet now they stood here, lying to each other. Whitney couldn't help but feel a wave of bitter irony. For some reason, she wanted to laugh.

But her smile looked more painful than it would have if she were crying. Cody immediately sensed that something was wrong and rushed to comfort her.

"What's wrong? You don't want me to go? But this deal is crucial for the company. I have to go personally. But don't worry. I'll only be gone ten days, max. When I get back, I'll clear my schedule and give you all my time, okay?"

Whitney wanted to tell him that she didn't need his time and that he could spend ten days, ten years, or even a lifetime doing whatever he wanted.

But before she could get the words out, a nurse appeared and told Cody that Yvette was awake.

He didn't hesitate for even a second before he came up with an excuse and left to see her right away.

As Whitney watched his retreating figure, she pressed one hand to her aching chest and told herself that this was almost over. Just a little longer, and she wouldn't have to pretend anymore.

…

When Whitney got home alone, she began packing her things.

She didn't want Cody to be able to trace her once she was gone, so she handed off all her valuables to a trusted friend, who would ship them abroad using a private courier flight.

On top of that, she wiped all her social media accounts clean and filed for complete account deactivation.

Cody came home twice during those days, but he noticed nothing. Both times, he just went straight to the kitchen, made some nutritious meals for Yvette, and then left again.

Watching him move around the kitchen, Whitney couldn't help but think back to when she used to be a picky eater in their younger days.

He had specially hired a professional chef to teach him how to cook just for her. He had spent weeks adjusting the flavors until they were perfect for her tastes. No matter how exhausted or busy he was, he would always make sure she had three proper meals a day.

But ever since Yvette showed up, Cody barely cooked for her anymore.

Now, Whitney realized that she hadn't tasted his cooking in nearly six months. And she had long stopped needing his care.