Circle 22

Chapter 22 

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Humbert released his grip, his fingers damp with her tears. His voice was hoarse as he murmured, “I’m sorry.” 

Then came a silence that felt both too short and endless at the same time. Even after Winifred left the restroom, Humbert stayed there, leaning against the wall. His emotions were a tangled 

mess. 

He couldn’t tell if it was because of the way she looked at him, with tears in her eyes and a trace of bitter self–mockery, or if it was because she wasn’t the person he had imagined, even though she felt strangely familiar. 

He had been seeking the truth, and the familiarity she carried with her reminded him of Claire. 

However, Humbert knew she wasn’t Claire. Still, he felt the urge to merge the two completely different people into one. 

He rubbed his tired brow with his hand and thought he was losing his mind. 

Maybe it was the name Wendy Lynn, or the web of truth and lies Winifred had somehow, things between her and Humbert had found a strange kind of equilibrium. 

spun, 

but 

Over the past month, she had only seen him twice. The first time was at the hospital when she came to get a prescription for Ruby. She stepped into his office, and in less than four minutes, she was out. 

He treated her like any other patient’s family. His voice was cool and distant as he explained the medication, listed a few precautions, and told her to come back in two weeks for Ruby’s test results. 

The second time was at the mall. Winifred was having dinner with her coworkers at a seafood restaurant, and Sylvia and Humbert were there, too, 

They ended up sharing a table. Someone teased Sylvia about having a boyfriend and joked that she should pick up the tab. 

Sylvia blushed. “Sure, why not? I’ll pay.” She linked her arm with Humbert’s, ready to sit down, but he pulled away. 

Sylvia shot him a look. Humbert was known for being cool and reserved in their circle. Both of them were at that age where everyone expected them to settle down, and their families had been trying to push them together. 

Thanks to Joseph and Margaret’s constant nudging, Humbert would sometimes agree when 

13:06 Wed, Sep 10 

Chapter 22 

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Sylvia asked him out to catch a movie or see a musical, and so on. 

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But Humbert kept his distance, leaving Sylvia trying to figure out how to get closer to him. “Humbert, I want some shrimp. Can you peel them for me? I just got my nails done. It’s really inconvenient.” 

Winifred heard Sylvia’s sweet, girlish voice and tightened her grip on her fork, forcing herself to keep eating, though her hand was a little tense. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Humbert’s long, clean fingers deftly peel the shrimp for Sylvia and then wipe his hands with a napkin. Sylvia smiled at him sweetly. 

Winifred remembered how Humbert hated seafood, especially shrimp. He always complained about the fishy smell and even tiny bits of shrimp in the seafood boil. 

Suddenly, it struck her that he had never peeled shrimp for her in the three years they had been together. 

She knew he didn’t like it, so she never even considered asking him. 

In fact, knowing he wasn’t into seafood, she just stopped eating it, too. 

Just being with him, linking arms, and brushing against his sleeve without him pulling away would make her heart flutter with happiness. She loved him so quietly, never daring to ask him for anything. 

It turned out that when he was with someone he loved, he did things he didn’t even enjoy just to make her happy. 

Winifred suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe. She got up and headed for the restroom. 

Even with one person gone, the mood at the table stayed lively. 

Shortly after Winifred left, Humbert stood up as well and said calmly, “I’m going outside for a smoke.” 

Winifred dried her hands, took out her lipstick, and quickly touched up her makeup. 

Then she stepped out of the restroom, walked a few steps, and suddenly stopped. 

The restroom was tucked away in a corner, with a small smoking area and an open window. 

Humbert was standing there, leaning against the window in a light gray shirt, with the breeze gently blowing in behind him. 

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Chapter 22 

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He held a cigarette between his fingers, took a slow drag, and then let his hand fall to his side. The veins on the back of his hand stood out sharply. 

His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, showing the veins running all the way up to his elbows. 

Winifred couldn’t help but look at him. 

Humbert looked up from his phone. His face was cool, and his eyes were deep and unreadable. He met Winifred’s gaze and nodded. 

Winifred nodded back, dropped her eyes, and kept walking. They didn’t speak. It felt like they were purposely staying apart. 

Just as Winifred was leaving, another girl came out of the restroom and called out to her, but Winifred didn’t hear a thing. “Hey, miss! You forgot your lipstick.” 

Winifred pulled out her phone and saw that the group chat with Lucy, Linda, and Yvonne had blown up with messages in just a few minutes. 

Winifred pulled out her phone and saw that the group chat with Lucy, Linda, and Yvonne had blown up with messages in just a few minutes. 

[I just secretly snapped a pic of Ms. Linton’s boyfriend. Even from this unflattering angle, he’s still ridiculously handsome.] 

[Seriously, he’s got a perfectly chiseled face.] 

[Only a real hottie could survive a candid, bad–angle photo like this.] 

[Ms. Linton’s always so bossy at the office, but with her boyfriend, she’s all sweet and soft.] 

[But honestly, he seems pretty cold and distant with her.] 

[That’s true.] 

[But aren’t they supposed to be an arranged couple? Are they getting married or what?] 

Someone tagged Linda. [Well, Linda’s Ms. Linton’s assistant. She knows all the gossip.] 

Linda: [Nope, haven’t heard anything. They’re probably keeping it under wraps.] 

[Yeah, true. Those high–society marriages are always kept on the down–low.] 

[You’re wrong. Those kinds of weddings are always huge, super public.] 

[Honestly, who can figure out what’s going on with rich people?] 

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Winifred took a bite of her meatball, and the juice spilled out. She pressed her lips and grabbed a napkin to wipe her mouth. 

Back when she was with Humbert, that cold, distant attitude wasn’t just for her. It was the same with everyone. 

Winifred had always felt like she was walking on eggshells in the relationship. He treated her just like he treated everyone else. Except for those rare moments in bed, the rest of the time, they were like two strangers with a shared history. 

Winifred couldn’t help wondering if Humbert acted differently with Sylvia when they were alone. She was curious if he’d let his guard down with Sylvia. 

She told herself not to think about these things, but she was only human. She couldn’t always control her thoughts. 

Humans were driven by their emotions, and her heart was still burning. All Winifred could do was keep a neutral expression, lower her gaze, and quietly finish her meal. 

Another half hour passed, and dinner finally ended. 

Winifred waited by the curb for her ride, watching as Humbert’s car slowly rolled past. The window was still down, and for a split second, she caught sight of Sylvia’s face. 

Sylvia’s smile was radiant, full of a sweet, girlish shyness that made her even more beautiful. She was talking to Humbert, her cheeks flushed with warmth. 

Winifred watched as the car disappeared down the street. 

Lucy, standing next to her, couldn’t help but sigh. “Wow, they’re so low–key. That car is worth over a hundred thousand, but do you know how much that watch on his wrist costs?” 

Winifred’s eyes stayed on the street where the car had been, lingering for a moment longer. 

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