Chapter 11

“I think I need to leave first. I’m sorry.”

Rosie bowed her head and stood up, leaving the restaurant. Surprised eyes exchanged glances, asking each other what was going on.

“Haha……. Maybe the congratulations were a bit too much. I’ll go check on her.”

Calvin laughed awkwardly and hurried out after her. He caught her arm just as she was about to leave the restaurant.

“Rosie! What are you doing?”

He frowned deeply as he spoke. Rosie looked at him in disbelief. He was the last person who should be angry right now.

“I should be asking you. You said this was just a casual gathering with friends.”

Calvin flinched at her sharp tone, taken aback.

People passing by on the street shot curious looks at them. Calvin smiled at them as if nothing was wrong.

“Let’s talk over there.”

He whispered, leading her to a quiet spot beside the restaurant.

No matter how scholarly he seemed, he was still a man, and Rosie couldn’t break free from his grip.

When they reached a deserted alley, Calvin finally released her wrist. Rosie rubbed her reddened wrist, demanding,

“I was thinking we needed to talk about getting back together. But you started talking about our future without asking me……. How could you say such things in front of everyone?”

“What do you mean we needed to talk about getting back together?”

Calvin’s brow furrowed tightly.

“Us getting back together. I don’t think it’s right. I’d like to call it off.”

Calvin looked dumbfounded.

“But I just told my friends—how can you……”

“So why did you say that without asking me first?”

“Are you saying you want to break up?”

Calvin’s voice turned cold. The sudden change in atmosphere made Rosie glance around nervously.

There was no one else in the alley between the restaurants.

Tension crept up, but if she didn’t speak now, she’d lose her chance forever. She didn’t want to keep dragging things out.

“Yes.”

“But you’re the one who asked to get back together.”

Calvin stepped closer. Rosie backed away, searching for an escape.

“I did, but I’ve changed my mind.”

Calvin lowered his head, silent for a long time.

“Is it because of Young Master Durand?”

He grabbed Rosie’s wrist again. The already red wrist began to ache.

“Why bring up Theo here? Let go of my arm……”

“You didn’t even wear the bracelet I gave you.”

“No, that’s……”

She struggled to pull her wrist free from his hand.

‘Honestly, you should have bought something nicer.’

Just then—

“Rosie. What are you doing here?”

Theo’s deep voice called from the alley entrance. He looked at them with an extremely displeased expression.

“Theo!”

Rosie called him, as if she’d found a savior, but Calvin didn’t seem ready to let go.

“We’re talking right now, can’t you see?”

Calvin shouted at Theo, frowning.

Theo stared at Calvin without moving or speaking.

“It’s rude to interrupt a conversation between lovers.”

Lovers? Who said so!

Rosie looked incredulous.

“What are you talking about?”

She furrowed her brow, struggling to free her wrist. Now that she saw it, Calvin wasn’t as smart as he seemed at the book club.

“And let go of my hand……”

Theo approached and gently took Rosie’s wrist—and Calvin’s, too. Maybe it wasn’t gentle for Calvin.

“What’s so important that you have to hold her wrist like this?”

Theo seemed to ask Calvin, but his gaze was fixed on Rosie. Calvin’s hand slowly slipped away.

Theo looked down at Rosie’s flushed wrist with calm eyes.

“If you’re done talking, let’s go.”

He gently squeezed her wrist, as if handling something fragile.

“Wait. I have more to say.”

Rosie stopped Theo as he tried to walk away.

“Just wait over there for a moment. I really need to finish this. It’ll only take a minute.”

Theo stopped and looked between Rosie and Calvin. His cold face radiated icy energy.

Theo stared at Calvin, then nodded silently. He stood near the alley entrance, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, waiting.

Rosie took a deep breath and turned to Calvin, whose face was red with frustration.

“Calvin.”

“Fine. I admit I went too far. But I can’t let go yet.”

He shook his head furiously.

“I like you too much. Please, give me one more chance, like I gave you.”

He clung to her arm, almost begging.

“But I……”

“I know. I acted badly. But I can’t let you go like this.”

Calvin hesitated, then added quietly,

“And I introduced you to my friends today……”

Rosie, who had looked at him with pity, now frowned. She wasn’t sure if this reason or the last was real.

“I have my pride, you know. I can’t say we broke up right after introducing you. Just one month, no, two weeks. Please, give me one more chance.”

Calvin suddenly looked so defeated that Rosie felt a bit sorry for him. She sighed deeply.

“I’ll really do better.”

Now clinging only to her collar, Calvin spoke in a tearful voice, eyes brimming with tears.

“Rosie……”

‘Am I being too harsh?’

Honestly, she had asked to get back together first, so saying she didn’t want to now felt a bit wrong.

“Two weeks. Two weeks is fine.”

Yes, two weeks would be enough to sort things out.

“Really? Thank you, really.”

He smiled brightly, as if he hadn’t just been crying.

But the tear stains, red face, and runny nose—she wished she hadn’t seen it. She used to think he was serious and thoughtful. Rosie glanced at him with clouded eyes, then looked at the wall.

“Don’t talk like you did today again.”

Calvin nodded at her grumbling about the future.

“Then, shall we meet tomorrow? I found a nice cake shop. I’ll treat you to make up for today.”

“Yes, alright.”

She didn’t mind the sudden reversal.

Calvin had always been oddly forceful, bringing up her age and knowledge. Rosie raised her chin a bit, waved, and turned away.

“I’m leaving now. Please explain to your friends.”

Theo stood up from the wall as Rosie approached.

But his gaze was fixed behind her, not on her. Calvin, who had just looked pitiful, now seemed pathetic to Rosie as she pulled Theo’s arm.

“Let’s go. I’m tired. I want to go home.”

Theo kept his eyes on Calvin as they left the alley, holding Rosie’s hand.

“How did you get here?”

Rosie asked, but Theo just walked silently.

“I heard from the Duchess you were busy. She came to the mansion once.”

Rosie kept chattering as Theo walked forward. She had no idea where they were headed, but compared to Calvin’s face, Theo’s looked much more fierce.

“Did the person you were with leave?”

She glanced around, trying to read his mood, and asked again.

“Did you eat? I’m a little hungry.”

“You.”

Theo suddenly stopped. His low voice, rumbling like from the depths of the sea, made Rosie shrink her shoulders and blink her big eyes.

Theo looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, then spoke in a softer voice.

“Why do you keep seeing someone like that?”

“He’s not as bad as you think.”

Rosie tilted her head.

“Huh. Then what was all that in the alley? That was a clear threat.”

Theo held up Rosie’s swollen wrist in front of her face.

“See? Still think he’s not a bad person?”

She bit her lip. She couldn’t really defend that.

“That man is the worst you’ve ever dated.”

Theo let go of her wrist and turned to walk away. Rosie still didn’t know where they were going, but she followed.

She hurried to keep up with his long strides.

“Thanks for earlier. I was actually a bit scared.”

Theo kept his face tense, looking straight ahead.

Rosie understood why he was upset. Calvin had loudly talked about their future in the restaurant, so even as partners, it couldn’t have felt good.

“So where are we going?”

She followed him for a while, watching his mood, then finally asked. Theo stopped abruptly.