Chapter 41

Since1had made up my mind, Gabrielle stopped trying to persuade me and asked, “The wine is in the safe. Do you know the code?”

I shook myhead.“Let’s just try.”

1instinctively entered my birthday, and the safe clicked open.

I froze for a moment, unsite how to feel

It really was my birthday,

1 had no memory of thepastfew years. My mind was completely blank. I had no idea what my relationship with Jonathan was really like.

All I knew were the things that had happened after 1 woke up. From what I saw, he didn’t love me at all. Whenever it was between me and Alicia, he always chose

Alicia without hesitation.

However, the small details of everyday life told a different story. Jonathan and I weren’t just a couple who hated each other.

There were many signs that we had some thily sweet moments,

The more I thought about it,the more confused I became. But even if tasked Gabrielle, she wouldn’t know much. After all, she had stopped talking to me not long after I got mamed.

All I could do now was rely on bits and pieces, hoping to piece together the truth of our marriage on my own.

Inside the safe was a bottle of pink wine. Compared to the rows of elaborate bottles around it, this one looked simple and pure. Its pink glow came entirely from the liquidinside, making it look even more radiant.

“No wonderthiswine is called First Love,” I murmured in admiration. “It really suits the name just from how it looks.”

Gabrielle helped me pick a few more bottles to go with it. We packed them carefully in a wooden gitt box and left thevilla.

I stood outside La Doghouse, staring at the big sign, unsure of what to make of it.

From what I knew, this was Frederick’s place, and it was the biggestbarinHarthville. Still, I couldn’t believe this was thenamehe chose.

cabrielle asked me,“What’s wrong? Let’s go in.”

“Who came up with this name?” Lasked.

“You did,” Gabrielle said iselplessly. “Did you forget that too?

I was surprised, “How could have named it? I’ve never been close to Frederick”

“You weren’t,” she replied. “That’s why we were all shocked when he actually used a name you blurted out as the name of hisbarGalizielle pulled me inside, and we walked down a long hallway until we reached a private room

Η

“None of us hadaclue be was into you back then,” she went on “We were all just hanging out at some randomschoolmixer. You were sitting quietly in the comer, and he barely saidaword the whole night. Then out of nowhere, one of his friendsaskedwhat hewasgonna name his new bar. He looked straight at you and asked for ideas. You just slugged and said, ‘Nothing beats your own doghouse. And boony, be actually named it La Doghouse.

I chuckled dryly. “He’s petty casual about ildings.”

Just as we reached the door of the private room, a womanina pink dress stepped out and bla, ked our way.

Sorry, thisareaisn’t open tojustanyone.”

Stewartall—about5’9“-willigh heels and a commanding presence that madeGabrielleand me look small and delicate.

smiledandsaid, “Sorry, we’re here to ure Frederick. Could you let him know?”

She shookerbead. “No. Mr. Guzman said no visitors.”

Gabalelle stepped forward“Tell den Elise is here. He’ll let us in ”

The wochen let put a cold laugh and glanced at her watch “Elise? I’ve never heard of any Elise close to the boss