It took Sumire a few moments to register what the girl just said, not due to shock but the opposite. She figured that the Nagawa family was gradually getting impatient after learning that Sano would not pay that other woman attention. Hence, they brought back his real fiance, who was studying abroad.

Sumire sighed deeply. Those people are too predictable. She usually would not pay any attention to them. After all, things are no longer the same as in the past; she wanted to avoid getting involved with that family as much as she could.

But she recalled Eli's confirmation. If what Eli said is true, then Sano was not aware, but he followed the other person's orders. It is most likely due to the pressure from the black Alice organization but, there is something more to this than meets the eye.

One of the first things she learned about Nagawa Sano was that only a few people could control him. The Nagawa family, Sano, has always been unable to disobey their orders. If his family members said they were getting threatened, it would be easy for Sano to give the order.

Still, she has to find evidence. To bring the truth to light, she needs something to support this theory.

"I'm Ibuki Sumire."

Sumire watched as the girl's expression changed to a darker one. "Oh? So your that woman who won't let him go."

She titled her head innocently. "I think you're the one with outdated information. He is the one who won't let me go."

"I see how it is. If that is your answer, then prepare yourself-" Penelope raised her hand.

Sumire immediately noticed something off about the girl. Is she an evolved human too? A strange aura emits her body; it reminds her of a thousand-year-old fox spirit. But this is bad; if she allows the girl to hit her, her thoughts broke off when blonde hair appeared in front of her.

The next time I meet him, what if I don't do as you say and hurt him?

If it comes to that, then just look him in the eyes.

Sumire watched as Sano restrained the redhead, but his gaze was on her the entire time. It was a mixture of pain, relief, and shock. Sumire pulled her hands back as she looked down at the ground.

Why does he look like that? Even for a mere glance, Sumire could tell that he was a lot thinner and paler than before. This is so very stupid; maybe she should just go.

Sumire turned to leave, but she suddenly felt a familiar pair of arms hug her from the back. "You can't go again, Sumire."

"Tell your fiance to go first."

Sano nodded and let go of her. He turned to the redhead, who looked like she would kill her at any moment. Indeed the woman just saw her man having a sweet moment with another woman.

"Penelope, you should go."

Penelopes eyes twitched, annoyed. "I've been here the last few days taking care of you, but your--"

"Please go."

The woman seemed startled at his meek tone and averted her gaze. "If you say it like that, then not even I can do anything." Penelope sighed. "I will get somebody to fetch my stuff tomorrow, Sano remember to take your medication."

With those words said, the woman swiftly left. Sumire, however, had watched the exchange with great curiosity. Could it be that woman just now genuinely cares for Sano? She was under the impression this entire time that none of the girls who Sano went out with cared for him, but it was not like that at all.

This is interesting; perhaps she can learn something from that woman. It was shortly after she dated Sano when she learned that he already had a fiance. It bothered her a lot back then, but she never brought herself to ask him questions.

But now the situation has changed. "Was that the fiance I never met?"

She was genuinely curious to think somebody so interesting would appear in front of her. That strength and aura she felt from moments ago. It was the first time for her.

Sano, however, didn't answer her question and engulfed her in a hug. "San."

"Sumire, Sumire," Sano called her name repeatedly. Sumire noted the loving tone behind each syllable and sighed.

After she learned that stuff from Eli, she figured it would be hard for her to continue dismissing how Sano felt about her. But seeing and hearing it up close like this is still a bit hard for her.

How much has this man suffered because she misunderstood his actions and words?

"I'm okay; I'm safe." She mumbled. "You were worried about me?" It was a stupid question.

"I missed you so much."

"I won't be seeing yuhi for awhile so," at those words, he held her tighter, and she sighed. This is going to be a long day.

..

The reason he held her tighter, it seems, was due to his fever. When she finally realized it, at least twenty minutes had passed. Her gaze fell on the man who collapsed on the bed. He was still clutching the edge of her shirt tightly.

What a stupid person. Sumire extended her hand out and ran her fingers through his hair. In the past, when they were together, she couldn't even do something simple and affectionate like this with him. But now, she can do so easily even though no title binds them together anymore.

This person cares deeply for her, and he always has from the very start. Even though he did all those bad things to her in the past, it was simply because he had a hard time communicating his emotions. It did not help that the people around him behave that way.

Her thoughts broke off when she hears the sound of her phone.

"Asuka?"

"I heard that you went back."

Sumire laughed. "Ah-huh, sorry if I caused you any trouble."

"No, I figured it was something like this. So there was not a full-blown search party." Asuka trailed off. "Is it fine for you to stay with that man again? If you are uncomfortable, we can make other arrangements for you."

"Asuka, I have a question for you regarding Sano."

"What about him?"

"Did you know he genuinely liked me?" It was something she wanted to ask those around her back then. In their eyes, did it look like Nagwa Sano was genuine about her?

"I did; that was why I got angry at him when he started to behave like that towards you. It is because I knew he genuinely cared for you, so his cruel words and actions would not only hurt you but him."

Sumire closed her eyes as she recalled something from the past. If she thought about it carefully, it made sense. Asuka is not the type of person who would randomly become hostile towards another person for no reason.

If only she learned about this sooner- Sumire shook her head. It would not have made a difference.

"After I settle down again, let's meet in a cafe in a few days."