Jackson gave a small nod and managed a polite smile. “Alison, it’s me.” “You’re here too? What a coincidence, you came back to the country?” The girl was so overwhelmed she could barely string her words together. “Yeah, I just got back not long ago. How did you—” Jackson cut himself off, and Alison’s excitement immediately faded. I had already guessed who she was. Worried Jackson might say something that would unsettle her, I stepped in. “Ms. Alison, if you need money, you can borrow it from me; pay me back or don’t, it doesn’t matter.” We were both women; I could understand why Alison had ended up here. In the end, it always came down to money. A glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes. “Really? Forget it. No need. I can earn my own.” I couldn’t help but admire her. She really was resilient—and gentle. No wonder Jackson had fallen for her back then. I thought for a moment, then offered, “Still, you shouldn’t be doing this kind of work. How about this—you can work the front desk here at the bar; it definitely pays better than hosting.” The front desk didn’t usually pay much, but I could always bump her salary; how much to bump it, after all, was up to me. Hearing that she could avoid hostessing and still make more money, Alison lit up and agreed right away. I knew they must have a lot to say to each other after all these years, so I stood and said, “If that’s all, I’ll go wander around; you two talk.” Jackson nodded, gratitude clear in his eyes. I left the space to them and drifted over to the bar to order a drink. While waiting, I suddenly spotted Aiden sitting not far away in another booth—with Geraldine right beside him, close enough their shoulders nearly touched. Rage flared hot in my chest. I picked up the drink the bartender had just set down and slowly made my way over.“Aiden, what do you want to drink? I’ll order for you!” Geraldine leaned against him, voice dripping with sweetness; under the bar’s lights, she looked almost dangerously alluring. Aiden’s eyes stayed half-closed, his expression weary. “Go home.” But Geraldine refused to back down, inching even closer. “Aiden, I only came to hang out with you a little; don’t be so stingy.” He opened his eyes. “How did you even know I was here?” She smiled coyly. “Because we have a connection, of course… fine, don’t be mad. Andrix told me. He said you were here.” Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “Andrix knew where I was?” Geraldine rushed to explain. “He just cares about you. You’re his big brother. He felt guilty about the fight before; he even told me he wanted to find a chance to apologize to you in person.” As I approached, Aiden finally lifted his head and saw me. I stopped in front of them, meeting his gaze. This time, under the shifting lights of the bar, he didn’t look away; but his silence carried a strange weight. “Well, if it isn’t Raelyn,” Geraldine said in surprise. “What are you doing at Midnight Bar?” I let out a cold laugh. “What I do here has nothing to do with you.” “Of course it doesn’t,” she said with a smirk. “But coming to a bar alone this late at night? Not exactly what a good girlfriend should be doing. You’re still with Aiden, aren’t you? You should be more careful. Back when I was with him, he never once let me come to bars.” She leaned closer to him on purpose. Aiden shifted slightly away. I gave her a chilly smile. “Funny, Aiden’s never tried to control me like that. Maybe because you always looked so untrustworthy.” “You!” Geraldine’s face twisted with anger. I sneered. “See, Aiden? Look at your girlfriend. So quick-tempered, not the least bit gentle.” “Aiden, look at her!” Geraldine turned, hoping he’d take her side; but his eyes stayed dark, and he didn’t even glance at her. I had no patience for her endless chirping. I turned my head. “Aiden, are you coming home?”He said nothing, closing his eyes again instead. “Raelyn, you’re being unreasonable,” Geraldine scolded. “It’s obvious Aiden’s in a bad mood. Forcing him to go home right now—that’s just making things worse.” I shot her a sharp look. “I was talking to Aiden; who said you could butt in?” I let a bit of my aura slip, my gaze cutting like glass; Geraldine shrank back immediately. Please—she couldn’t hold a candle to me. Only then did Aiden finally speak, his voice low and tired. “Raelyn, go home first.” So he was openly dismissing me now? I took a step closer, locking onto the still, depthless calm in his eyes—like staring into dead water. Bitterness stabbed through me. “Aiden, are you telling me to leave?” He stayed silent, answering me only with that unbearable quiet. “I’m not leaving.”