Early the next morning, Lennox made me breakfast with her own hands, just like always, her eyes overflowing with affection as she set it before me.
"After breakfast, let's all go skiing together. We came home late yesterday, so today we're making it up to you with a proper birthday celebration."
Summer poured me a glass of lemonade, tugging on my arm and whining, "Come on, Daddy, please. Skiing is so much fun."
I'd never been interested in skiing, but just during breakfast the two of them had already packed all my gear and loaded it into the car.
When we arrived at the ski resort, I finally understood why they'd insisted so adamantly on coming here. The moment I got out of the car, I noticed not far away Becket Thorne was standing at the resort entrance, scanning the crowd. When he saw Lennox and Summer stepping out of the car together, Becket's eyes instantly lit up. He hurried over quickly with completely natural ease, unwrapping his own scarf and draping it around Summer's neck, then handing Lennox an insulated thermos.
I watched every single one of his movements in silence. Smooth as water flowing, effortless as clouds drifting.
Summer was still young, but she never liked being touched by anyone outside the Whitmore family. As for Lennox, ever since someone spiked her drink four years ago, she never accepted beverages from any man except me.
Yet now she just coughed awkwardly, forcing herself to maintain a natural demeanor. "Aaron, this is my assistant, Becket Thorne. He arranged this entire ski trip for us. It's more convenient having him along, so I invited him to join us."
Summer chimed in eagerly. "That's right, Daddy. We just get to have fun. Isn't that so much easier?"
I nodded without expression. Was it really about convenience? Or did they just want to be near Becket all the time? I didn't have the energy anymore to investigate what was really going through their minds.
I stood there in a daze for the longest time before Becket finally acted like he'd just noticed me, extending his hand earnestly. "Mr. Grant, don't worry. I would never intrude on your family."
Unfortunately, my eyes inadvertently caught sight of his wrist. "What's that you're wearing?"
He smiled as he rolled up his sleeve to reveal it, a watch encrusted with sapphire diamonds, his face glowing with happiness as he answered. "This was a gift from someone special."
Over the past eight years Lennox had given me countless different watches, so it wasn't hard for me to recognize that Becket's watch and the one she'd given me last night were from the same collection.
I curved my lips in a mocking smile. "Looks like your special someone really knows how to show their love."
Lennox and Summer had taken the watch collection and split it in two, giving me one half and handing the other half to Becket Thorne. As if to say their hearts could be divided in half too.
Becket's smile reached his eyes. "They do. They always say they love me most. Always treating me like a child they adore."
Probably afraid I'd discover something, throughout the journey mother and daughter fussed over me constantly. I coughed just once, and Lennox immediately pulled off her own coat with concern, draping it over my shoulders, then thoughtfully poured a cup of hot water, bringing it right to my lips. Summer also unwrapped her scarf, making a big show of wrapping it around me like a miniature adult, warning me I absolutely had to take care of my health.
But I didn't want to touch anything that carried that cologne, so I simply said I wanted to go back to the hotel and rest, and started to leave. Lennox and Summer exchanged a long look before finally agreeing to return to the hotel with me.
That evening, Lennox received a phone call. She quickly hit the mute button. Seeing I still hadn't moved on the bed, she breathed a sigh of relief. Becket Thorne's name flashed continuously on her phone screen.
Summer tugged at Lennox's skirt, lowering her voice. "Mommy, I want to see Beck."
At that, Lennox immediately signaled for silence. Mother and daughter exchanged a glance, then snuck quietly out of the room.
The moment the door clicked shut, I opened my eyes, threw on my coat, and followed behind them.
They walked quickly, finally stopping in front of Becket Thorne's room. The door had barely opened when Becket couldn't help but pull Lennox into his arms, holding her tight against his chest.
"Lennox, you finally came. I don't dare hope I could be like your husband, having you by my side twenty-four hours a day. I just need you and Summer to spare me half an hour each day. That's enough."
As he spoke, Becket stared at her with eyes brimming with emotion. Lennox had never been able to resist those tearful eyes of his. Her heart instantly melted. She immediately leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth tenderly.
"Half an hour isn't nearly enough. Tonight, Summer and I are staying here. We'll be with you all night long."
Summer chimed in too. "Beck, Daddy's asleep, so Mommy and I rushed right over. We want to be with you forever, too."
Becket was deeply moved. But as if remembering something, his expression fell. "Actually, I was pretty cold today, too. But you two only had eyes for Aaron. The scarf and thermos I prepared were for you both."
Summer was afraid Becket would be sad. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed his hand. "Beck, don't be sad. It's Mommy's and my fault. Let me warm your hands. My hands are even warmer than any scarf."
Lennox affectionately pinched the little girl's cheek. "You jealous little thing. Getting worked up over nothing. I knew you didn't get to ski in Switzerland, so I deliberately chose the best place in the country for you."
Hearing that, Becket leaned down and quickly kissed the corner of her mouth. "Thank you, Miss Whitmore."
Lennox's gaze instantly deepened, fixed intently on Becket's thin lips. Right there on the spot, they began kissing passionately.
Summer quickly covered her eyes. "Ugh. I don't want to be a third wheel."
It took a full half minute before Lennox finally pulled away. Becket's face was flushed scarlet. He reached out to ruffle Summer's hair. "She's still watching."
Lennox leaned in and kissed him once more. "What's there to be afraid of? She's already seen everything."
Then she leaned against Becket's chest, taking Summer's hand as they walked into the room and closed the door.
From my spot around the corner, tears were already streaming down my face. Even though I'd known about their betrayal beforehand, actually witnessing it, I still felt pain that cut straight to the bone. Every single word they spoke became sharp blades stabbing through my heart. The so-called birthday celebration for me was really just to make up for the regret that Becket felt about missing out.
I braced one hand against the wall, clutching my chest. The words Lennox and Summer spoke last night still echoed in my ears. They'd never let me leave.
But Lennox, Summer, I'd already decided. I had to leave you both.