In the afternoon, Julian's computer suddenly crashed. Needing to organize his files quickly, he borrowed Helena's laptop.

While waiting for a file to transfer, a new message notification popped up. He clicked it instinctively and saw it was from a group chat at her law firm.

"Helena, firm dinner tonight. Bringing the boyfriend?"

Julian’s hand trembled slightly as he read the message.

In three years of marriage, Helena had never once told anyone about them. In the eyes of the world, she was single.

That's why no one at her firm had recognized him when he went for the consultation.

Would she finally agree this time?

Julian didn't know. He didn't dare to hope.

Helena, seeing the message on her own phone, looked up at him, as if gauging his reaction.

Noticing her gaze, Julian managed a faint smile.

"Are you going to take me to the party?"

The unspoken question hung in the air: *After three years, are you finally going to tell people about me?*

Helena didn't know what to say. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

That single moment of silence was like a blade twisting in Julian's heart, a dull, throbbing pain.

He forced it down, putting on a mask of indifference, his tone light.

"I have plans tonight anyway. Even if you wanted to take me, I probably don't have time."

The tension in Helena's shoulders eased, her expression returning to normal.

"Well, maybe next time, then. I'll take you some other time."

Julian didn't answer.

He raised a hand to cover his eyes, replying to her silently in his mind.

*Next time?*

*Helena.*

*There won't be a next time.*

That evening, Helena went to the party alone. The moment she walked in, a few drunk colleagues cornered her.

"It's been three years and we've never even seen your boyfriend, Helena! That's not cool!"

"Yeah, let us get a look at the guy! How long are you gonna keep him hidden away?"

Under their relentless teasing, Helena unlocked her phone.

Two choices appeared on her screen: Milo Cross, and Julian Shaw.

After a long hesitation, she finally tapped on Milo's name and sent him a message.

A short while later, Milo arrived at the address.

The moment he pushed open the door, the entire room lit up. Everyone started cheering, complimenting her on her excellent taste.

After a few rounds of drinks, Mr. Evans, one of the senior partners, needed to use the restroom. He handed a file to Helena and asked her to take it downstairs to a man waiting there.

It was a simple favor, so of course she agreed. She took the file and the phone number and went downstairs, glancing at the documents as she walked.

She waited and waited, but saw no one. She took out her phone and typed in the number, only to find it was already saved in her contacts.

The name "Julian" leaped out at her. Helena froze on the spot.

She pulled the agreement from the folder, about to open it for a closer look, when a blinding car headlight flashed in her eyes.

Shielding her eyes, she looked up and saw Julian. Suspicion flooded her mind. She held up the file, her voice sharp with accusation.

"A divorce settlement agreement? Julian, what is the meaning of this?"

Julian was surprised to be caught, but his expression remained calm as he lied. "It's for Gabe. He's getting a divorce. I helped him set up the meeting with Mr. Evans."

Her gut told Helena it wasn't that simple.

Her brow furrowed, and she was about to open the agreement to see for herself when an arm snaked around her own.

"Helena? I thought you were meeting a client. What's taking so long?"

Seeing Milo clinging to her so intimately, Helena completely lost her composure. She didn't dare look at her husband's face, and she had no idea how to explain.

But more than explaining, she didn't want to push Milo away, not when he was the one initiating contact.

Julian, however, was far calmer than she could have imagined.

He took two steps forward, took the agreement from her hand, and gave a slight bow, his voice laced with a cold distance.

"Thank you, Ms. Locke. My friend and I are busy handling his divorce, so we won't keep you."