Time is Silent, But True Love Will

I sat there in silence.

The taste of Anderlin people leaned towards spiciness, yet Jaxton's palate preferred mild flavors, steering clear of anything too stimulating.

I had barely finished seasoning when Rebecca swiftly swiped the condiments from my hands, placing them with a smile on Jaxton's seat.

Seated, I gazed at the seafood feast before me, only belatedly realizing my allergic reaction to seafood. I couldn't touch a single bite of it.

As I prodded at the fruit in front of me, Rebecca's cloying voice kept intruding, making this meal even more unbearable.

"I heard Ms. Dempsey used to be a crab shucker?"

Jaxton's voice created an eerie silence at the table, all eyes inexplicably fixated on me.

It was true; I had been a crab shucker, all because of that expensive deep blue wristwatch.

"Then thank you, Ms. Dempsey."

Jaxton wiped his hands with a towel and sipped his red wine, every move exuding elegance and sophistication.

Rebecca's gaze could have drilled a hole through my face, but she graciously rose, giving me her seat.

So, under the watchful eyes of everyone, I began shucking crabs.

The crab-shucking skills were actually learned for Jaxton.

In that short gig, crab shucking was the most lucrative.

Yet, post-marriage, it was hardly useful since I couldn't eat seafood, barely seeing it on our table.

If there was fish, Jaxton would patiently remove the bones for me.

I was distracted for a moment. A sharp crab leg pierced my finger, drawing blood.

I bit my lip to suppress a gasp.

Jaxton rolled up his sleeves, revealing his elegantly toned forearm, beckoning the waiter over. "Waiter, cancel the crab feast."

I tightened my grip, thinking, "Jaxton hasn't even glanced at me.

He probably won't notice this tiny injury."

"Sir, is there an issue with the dishes?"

"Not fresh enough. Find your head chef, prepare signature dishes without seafood ingredients, and bill accordingly."

I thought, "Indeed... perhaps the ingredients weren't fresh enough? After all, he's quite particular about taste."

He will no longer do anything for me.

I have severed the last chance.

I am not the one he loves, yet ironically, I have developed this self-delusional habit.

Just like now, I subconsciously think he canceled the crab feast for me.

How absurd."

I picked up a nearby cup and took a sip.

"Get this lady's wound taken care of."

His words almost made me choke on the drink in my mouth.

For the third time, all eyes at the table converged on me.

By the time I finished tending to my wound, Rebecca had already returned to Jaxton's side.

I sighed in relief. With the seafood removed, the new dishes sparked my appetite.

As everyone began toasting in turn, I buried my head in my meal, ignoring Logan's meaningful glances.

Rebecca's voice rang out. "Taylor, we've all made toasts. It wouldn't be right if you didn't raise a glass."

She had a point.

So, I lifted the glass of water in front of me. "Mr. Munoz, I don't drink alcohol. Here's a toast with water instead."

The water was downed with the swagger of a drink.

Jaxton lightly tapped his glass, staring at me for a few seconds before finishing his wine.

The table erupted in murmurs.

The table was filled with people offering him toast with drinks, but he chose to respond to me solely.