Chapter 175 Chapter 175

Chapter 175 Chapter 175
Amelia's POV

"You're right. I don't know you very well either. We should never have come this far," I replied, echoing his words.

"I'm your husband," he stated firmly, staring at me intensely.

Husband?
A cynical smile appeared on my lips.

"And Ezra is my brother-in-law. I went to Uncle Jordan's house, my foster parents' home not on a date. I wasn't alone with him, and I certainly wasn't caressing his face in public," I shot back, meeting his gaze just as sharply.

For some reason, the scene from yesterday at the mall suddenly flashed through my mind.

"What are you talking about?" Kai frowned.

"Ck..." I clicked my tongue in annoyance. He was pretending not to understand. "Figure it out yourself."

I yanked my arm from his grasp and turned toward my room.

"Amelia. I'm not done talking." Kai followed me inside.

"What now?" I stomped my foot in frustration.

"I don't like you going out alone with Ezra. And you need to listen to me because I'm your husband."
The firmness in his voice finally shattered the patience I had been struggling to maintain.

I was exhausted.
Exhausted from dealing with his selfishness.

"So I can't go anywhere with Ezra, even when I'm visiting my own family, but you can go wherever you want with whoever you want? You can step foot anywhere you please, while you keep me locked up like a prisoner? How selfish can you be, Mr. Kai River?" I demanded.

"What did I ever do to deserve all of this?" I added, my voice rising.

Kai stared at me, his jaw tightening. "I have my reasons for not wanting you around Ezra."

"What?" I lifted my chin. "And what reason is that?"
Kai stepped closer.

"Because Ezra is in love with you," he hissed, gripping my arm.

I let out a long breath and looked away. I had heard those words before. Four years ago.
Back at the hospital, when Kai and Rendra had argued after I lost my baby.

And it wasn't something I could control. Ezra's feelings were not mine to forbid.

"Don't compare me to yourself. Ezra and I still know our boundaries. Unlike you and Tania... or you and whatever woman you're with now."
I spoke quietly, forcing myself to remain calm.

"What? My woman? What exactly are you talking about?" Once again, confusion furrowed his brow.
His hand still hadn't released my arm.

"I don't love Ezra, and we've never done any of the things you've done. Now get out of my room. I'm tired." I forcefully pulled my arm free and pushed him away.

"No. I'm not leaving until you explain what you mean by 'your woman'." Kai narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously.

"Leave. I'm tired." I asked again.

"I'm not leaving until you explain."

Stubborn. As stubborn as ever. I sighed wearily. Maybe people were right.

A woman can hide her love for years, but she can never hide her jealousy for even a single minute. I scratched my head even though it didn't itch.
What was I supposed to say?

"Ahem..." I cleared my throat, trying to steady my nerves.

"The point is, I'm not like you and your lover. I never cheated. I never betrayed our marriage."

"Why do you keep accusing me of cheating?" he asked, still staring at me.

"I'm tired. Can you please leave?" I pleaded.

Kai fell silent. His eyes never left mine, as though he were considering something carefully.
Finally, he sighed. "Fine."

With that, he turned around and left the room.

The second he stepped outside, I quickly shut the door and locked it.
"Ah... thank goodness."



At seven that evening, one of the maids knocked on my door and informed me that Kai wanted me downstairs for dinner.

I refused. I told her I was still full and would eat later if I got hungry.

Apparently, that wasn't enough. The maid came back three separate times under Kai's orders.
And three times I refused.

I chose to continue working on my clothing designs instead.

Knock. Knock.

I sighed heavily.

"I'm not hungry. I'll come downstairs later," I called out without opening the door.

There was no response. But the knocking continued.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Ck..." Annoyed, I got up from my chair and walked to the door.

The moment I opened it, the words I was about to say died in my throat.

"I'm not—"

It wasn't the maid, but it was Kai. He stood in front of the door with both hands tucked into his pockets.

"Come downstairs. We're having dinner. Or I'll take your phone."

After saying that, he immediately turned around and walked away.

"What did he just say?" My eyes widened. "Who does he think he is? Trying to take my phone whenever he wants?"

I grumbled loudly enough for him to hear before he even reached the stairs.

"I'm your husband, in case you've forgotten."

He glanced back before continuing down the staircase.

"I think you're the one who's forgotten," I muttered.

"I heard that."

"Sorry. It was intentional."

When I arrived at the dining room, my steps suddenly halted.

I was surprised. In the center of the table sat a small birthday cake with five tiny candles stuck into it.

I frowned. Whose birthday was it?

"Sit down." The command came from Kai, and somehow, I obeyed autautomatically.

"I bought your favorite steak today." He pulled out the chair across from me.

"Eat plenty." He handed me a plate containing steak, steamed potatoes, carrots, and green beans.
Then, carefully, he poured the sauce over the meat.
"Eat."

This time, his voice was much gentler. I began eating quietly.

The moment the first bite touched my tongue, recognition hit me instantly. The taste was so familiar.

A taste I used to look forward to whenever Kai returned from a business trip. This steak came from a restaurant inside a hotel near the airport.

Back then, whenever Kai traveled for work, he would always bring this steak home.

Sometimes, when I didn't feel like eating, he would buy it for me too.

Remembering all of that made my chest ache.
Instinctively, I lowered my head as the tears I had been holding back finally escaped.

"What's wrong?" Kai asked anxiously. "Doesn't it taste good?"

I shook my head.
"It's good," I replied, unable to hide the hoarseness in my voice.

A long sigh came from across the table.
"While you were gone..."

Slowly, I lifted my gaze.

"...every year on this date, I ate this steak alone."

My throat tightened instantly. I couldn't speak.
Only a faint hum escaped my lips. "Hmm..."

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

"Don't cry." Kai stood and walked toward me.
His hand reached out and gently stroked my hair.

A touch I had once missed desperately. A touch I had never been able to forget.

"Happy anniversary, My Melia."
His voice was soft. Gentle and nincere.

Then, one by one, he lit the five tiny candles on the cake. The small flames danced between us.
Illuminating memories we had spent years trying to bury.

Five years. Today marked the fifth anniversary of our marriage.

And for the first time in a very long time, I didn't know whether I should hate him or miss him even more.