Chapter 4

The rest of the lab staff watched the scene unfold, their faces twisted with the effort of stifling laughter.

This time, even Alex, who usually stayed out of the fray, found the situation difficult to stomach.

During a break, he caught up with Mark in the designated smoking area behind the building.

"Mark, look," Alex said, leaning against the cold brick wall. "I know things are complicated, but marriage is a serious commitment. If you aren't loyal to Eve anymore, why don't you just end it?"

Mark took a slow drag of his cigarette, his expression unbothered. "It's not that simple."

"What does that mean?"

"Eve and Chloe are different, you understand?" Mark replied, exhaling a cloud of gray smoke. "Eve is my perfect partner. Our collaboration in the lab—it's irreplaceable. She's sacrificed so much for this research over the years. Honestly, without her contributions, I wouldn't have secured this position at MIT. After everything we've been through, if I just walked away now, I'd be a total bastard. Besides, there is real affection between us. Seven years isn't something you just fake."

Alex looked even more confused. "Then what about Chloe?"

A look of extraordinary tenderness crossed Mark's face, and he smiled. "Chloe loves me. Truly, sincerely loves me. I can't give her everything she wants, but the least I can do is make things easier for her in other ways. I can help her career. I can be there for her. It's the least she deserves."

"Aren't you afraid Eve might leave?" Alex asked.

Mark flicked his ash onto the pavement, his voice thick with a quiet certainty. "My mother pushed her pretty hard last night about transferring the apartment deed to Kevin. Sure, Eve got angry and said we were finished. But look—she's here today, working like nothing happened. Alex, you don't understand how women think. A man might walk away easily, but a woman? The more she invests, the harder it is for her to let go. Seven years, man. That isn't something you just throw away. Besides, she's thirty now. At her age, where is she going to find someone better than me?"

Even Alex, whose own track record with loyalty was far from spotless, stood there stunned by Mark's words.

The breakroom was situated just beside the smoking area.

I stood inside, silently filling my glass with water as every word drifted through the vents.

When I stepped out, I ran straight into Alex as he was heading back inside.

A flash of panic crossed his face.

"Eve," he stammered.

I gave him a short nod and walked past him without saying a word.