The two little ones obediently went into the house.


    Eva closed the door again.


    She stood still and there was silence behind her.


    After a long time, Eva turned around and smiled at Michael. "You haven''t had dinner yet, right? I remember there is a restaurant near themunity center. Shall we go?"


    Whether he was unaffected by her or for some other reason, Michael nodded with a faint smile when he heard her suggestion. "Let''s go."


    The two of them went downstairs together, the babysitter didn''t disturb them with smiling.


    Inside the house, the two little ones quietlyy next to the door, trying to listen to what was being said outside. Unfortunately, the instion of the door was too good, no matter what position theyy in, they couldn''t hear a single sound. After a while, Ruby turned her head to look at the serious-faced Dn. "Dn, are Mommy and Uncle Michael arguing?"


    The term "arguing" made Dn furrow his brow slightly, then he replied, "I don''t know, but let''s not guess. It''s better that way."


    "If Mommy and Uncle Michael are arguing, do we still have to be nice to Uncle Michael in the future?" Ruby asked with concern.


    Hearing this, Dn seriously contemted for a moment, then said, "We should still be nice to him. Mommy and Uncle Michael are arguing, not us and Uncle Michael."


    Ruby nodded, although not fully understanding.


    In the restaurant, Michael carefully looked through the menu, ordering one dish at a time and asking Eva about it.


    At first, Eva was patient. But by the time he asked about the third dish, she was starting to lose patience. Frowning, she said, "You don''t need to order anymore. This is fine. Besides, I can''t eat much anyway." Michael paused with the menu in his hand, then handed it over to the embarrassed-looking waiter. "Just bring these for now."


    "Okay." the waiter nodded.


    After the waiter left, Eva looked at Michael in front of her, intending to speak directly to the point.


    Unexpectedly, Michael took out an exquisitely packaged small box from his pocket and ced it on the table, pushing it towards her. "Ruby and Dn already have their gifts for Christmas Eve. This is yours."


    Eva looked at the delicate box, and after a moment, she took it and opened it. Inside was a beautiful brooch, the color and style of which was the most popr on the market, matching perfectly with her favorite light beige coat. It was just a small gift, but he had chosen it so carefully.


    To refuse him would make herself seem ungrateful.


    "Eva felt a wave of guilt wash over her, however, Emily''s words shed in Eva''s mind, reminding her to be cautious about her emotions.


    If I don''t want to continue this, being ruthless is actually good for him.


    Thinking this, Eva forced a smile and said, "This brooch looks really nice."


    Upon hearing her words, Michael pushed his sses up and replied, "As long as you like it."


    "I like it." Eva said nonchntly, "but what I like is the brooch, not the person who gave it to me in the way that they want."


    Eva fell silent.


    "I naturally like nice things." she continued. "But, sometimes, it also depends on who the gift is from. I don''t have to ept everything someone gives me."


    After saying this, Eva ced the brooch back into its box and pushed it away. "You should keep this for someone who deserves it. Simrly, you shouldn''t waste any more time on me. You''ve taken care of me all these years, and I''m grateful. If you need any help in the future, just let me know."


    "I only give things to those I consider worth it." Michael pursed his lips, his eyes beneath the lenses reflecting a hint of helplessness. "I bought this brooch specifically with you in mind. If you don''t want it, then what''s the difference between this brooch and garbage?" Michael lowered his gaze.


    "You were going to let me apany you to see the car this afternoon just to tell me all these things, did you?"


    "No, I just suddenly didn''t want you toe." Eva paused, then spoke in a cold voice. ''If you hadn''t shown up at the school of my children, I wouldn''t have gotten in your car and I wouldn''t be sitting here talking to you now. I...am annoyed." Upon hearing this, a flicker of confusion crossed Michael''s usually gentle face. "Annoyed?"


    "Yes, I don''t like you." Eva emphasized. "I''ve made that clear to you before, but you kept pestering me. I feel annoyed having to deal with you every day, especially after returning to here. I don''t have the patience to deal with you anymore. So please, stop wasting your time on me and find someone else." Eva had to make a decision.


    A glint of coldness appeared in Michael''s eyes, as if he couldn''t believe what he was hearing. Another voice echoed in his mind, ovepping with Eva''s voice.


    "Do you know how annoying you are? Is it only me in your world? Why do you always find me annoying? Why don''t you bother your father instead? You''re wasting my time, why are you talking to me? You are a waste, it''s because of you being such a waste that he treats me like this!"


    That night, a small figure was forced to kneel on the hard floor while a basin of cold water was poured over their head. The freezing temperature almost suffocated the young boy. "Mother...I''m sorry..."


    However, the person he called ''Mother'' just coldly put down the basin and walked away.


    Numerous dark days came rushing at Michael like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf him. He bit his lip and clenched his fists.


    Unfortunately, Eva didn''t notice any of these changes in him. After her indifferent words, she lowered her eyes, her demeanor still cold.


    "I''ve made myself clear, right? I hope you will pay more attention to your own life in the future and stop always looking for me." With that, Eva picked up her bag and began walking towards the door. Coincidentally, she bumped into a waiter who was bringing tea.


    Seeing that she was leaving, the waiter called out to her without thinking, "Miss..."


    "No, thank you." Eva said as she left the restaurant.


    The waiter stood still, holding the tea, foolishly watching her leave, then shifted his gaze to the man left alone at the table.


    He sat there, his aura dramatically changing with the woman''s departure, as if enveloped in an icy world that no one could enter.


    The most frightening thing was that his face and lips were pale, as if he had been shocked or suddenly fallen ill.


    The waiter was initially afraid, but also worried that something might happen to him in the restaurant. In the end, he approached cautiously, still holding the tea, and asked, "Sir, are you okay?"


    "Go away!" The man, who had been cold and silent, suddenlyshed out, forcefully knocking the te out of her hand.


    The scalding hot tea sshed onto the waiter without warning, causing her to instinctively scream and take several steps back.


    Everyone in the restaurant turned to look in their direction.


    Amidst the screams, Michael seemed to only now realize what had just happened.


    His face momentarily froze, then returned to normal. He walked over to help the waiter up.


    "I''m sorry, I lost control for a moment. Are you okay? Let me take you to the hospital." Michael said.