Wren Wynter studied them carefully, her fingertips brushing across several high-quality jade bracelets. She picked them up and put them down, finally settling on a translucent, ice-variety bracelet with a uniform color and delicate green flecks.

She held the bracelet up to the light, examining it closely. Inside the transparent jade, delicate wisps of green swirled like smoke and mist.

"This one’s perfect for Grandma," she said flatly. "It isn’t old-fashioned, but it’s still dignified. The size should be right, too."

Kaden Xavier leaned in closer, his gaze falling on her slender fingers holding the bracelet before moving to her serene profile.

"Whatever you think is best."

He gestured for the sales associate to wrap it up.

"Sir, Ma’am, here is your bracelet. Would you like to see anything else? Our store just received a new collection of gemstone brooches that also make lovely gifts for elders."

Kaden Xavier took the gift box, but his gaze drifted to the counter displaying diamond rings.

The rings sparkled brilliantly on the black velvet lining.

His feet seemed to have a mind of their own, carrying him in that direction.

Wren Wynter’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She stood her ground, not moving an inch.

"Excuse me, could you take out this pair of matching rings for us to see?"

Kaden Xavier pointed to a pair of platinum diamond rings with a simple design in the glass case.

The men’s ring had only a thin, frosted inlay, while the women’s was set with a circle of pavé diamonds. The style was classic and understated.

The sales associate’s eyes lit up. She immediately put on white gloves, carefully took out the matching rings, and placed them on a black velvet tray, presenting it to them.

"You have excellent taste, sir. This is from our new ’Eternity’ collection. The symbolism is wonderful, and the design is classic—perfect for a well-matched couple like yourselves," the associate said with a smile, her eyes flitting between the two of them.

A match made in heaven.

Kaden Xavier picked up the woman’s ring. The platinum band was cool to the touch, its tiny diamonds reflecting the brilliant lights of the store.

He turned to face her. "Try it on?"

Wren Wynter took a small step back, her back almost hitting the edge of the glass counter.

"No, thank you." Her voice was devoid of any emotion, her pretty face cold. "We’ve already bought Grandma’s gift."

"This isn’t for Grandma." Kaden Xavier looked at her, his voice softening. "I remember we just bought a pair of plain bands back then."

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts. "I want to make it up to you with a proper pair of rings. Do you like this one?"

Wren Wynter looked at the ring glittering under the lights, then lifted her eyes to Kaden Xavier.

He had the same handsome features she knew so well, and his eyes held the focused gaze she had once yearned for countless times.

But at this moment, her heart was completely still.

’For him to only now think of replacing the rings... it was laughable.’

’Too little, too late.’

"Kaden Xavier." Her voice was serene, as still as a pool of stagnant water that could no longer be stirred by ripples. "I don’t need it."

"Wren..." Kaden Xavier took a step forward, wanting to take her hand.

Wren Wynter moved her hands behind her back, avoiding his touch.

"If you’re done, we should go." She averted her gaze without a change in expression, looking at the endless stream of people outside the store. "I have things to do this afternoon."

Kaden Xavier’s hand holding the ring tightened, his knuckles turning slightly white.

He studied Wren Wynter’s cold expression, and the panic he had just managed to suppress began to creep back.

But he told himself not to rush.

He took a deep breath, placed the ring back on the tray, and said to the sales associate, "Wrap it up."

Although the sales associate was a little surprised, she quickly did as she was told.

Kaden Xavier paid with his card and took the other, smaller and more exquisite deep-red ring box, carrying it along with the gift box for the jade bracelet.

On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was even more stifling than before, the air seemingly frozen solid.

Wren Wynter turned her head to look out the window. The dazzling midday sun reflected off the glass curtain walls of the skyscrapers, making her eyes ache.

Her fingers curled unconsciously, nails digging into her palm and leaving a few crescent-shaped marks before slowly relaxing again.

As the car passed an imported goods supermarket outside a high-end residential complex, Kaden Xavier suddenly slammed on the brakes.

The tires made a soft screech against the pavement.

Wren Wynter’s body lurched forward with the momentum. She frowned at him.

"What is it?"

Kaden Xavier didn’t speak. His eyes were locked on the supermarket entrance, his brows knitted together.

Wren Wynter followed his gaze and saw Seraphina Sutton standing under the awning at the supermarket entrance.

Auntie May was with her. Seraphina was holding a phone to her ear, a look of anxiety and helplessness on her face as she spoke urgently to a staff member in a supermarket uniform.

At her feet were two large, heavy-looking shopping bags bearing the supermarket’s logo.

"It’s Seraphina," Kaden Xavier said as he unbuckled his seatbelt and pushed the door open. "She looks like she’s in trouble."

Wren Wynter sat in the car, unmoving.

Through the car window, she watched with cold eyes as Kaden Xavier quickly crossed the crosswalk and headed toward the supermarket entrance.

The midday sun stretched his tall figure into a long shadow.

When Seraphina Sutton saw Kaden Xavier, her eyes immediately lit up. Her expression shifted to one of relief mixed with grievance, as if she had just seen her savior.

"Your wife forgot her wallet."

Wren Wynter faintly heard the words.

Kaden quickly apologized, pulling out a wad of cash and handing it over. Wren Wynter didn’t want to hear what was said after that.

She calmly retracted her gaze and started the car.

The roar of the engine wasn’t loud, but Kaden Xavier, who was helping Seraphina Sutton up the steps to the residential complex, froze and whipped his head around.

He saw Wren Wynter’s white sedan making a clean U-turn, merging into the main road’s traffic without a hint of hesitation. It was quickly swallowed by other vehicles and disappeared from sight.

"Kaden?" Seraphina Sutton sensed his stiffness and called out uncertainly. She followed his gaze, but saw only the endless stream of traffic.

Kaden Xavier’s heart sank.

He wanted to chase after her, to get in his car and block her path, to explain that this was all just a misunderstanding, that he was just helping out...

"Kaden." Seraphina Sutton’s soft voice held an imperceptible tremble as her fingers gently tugged at his sleeve. "I... I’m not feeling well... My stomach hurts... Maybe I was standing for too long, and I got a little anxious..."

Kaden Xavier slowly came back to his senses and looked at Seraphina Sutton.

Her face was even paler than before, her brow was slightly furrowed, and her other hand was pressed tightly against her side. She really did look unwell.

He remembered what Wren Wynter had said before—that Seraphina Sutton’s pregnancy was unstable.

He glanced in the direction where Wren Wynter’s car had disappeared, then at the cold sweat beading on Seraphina Sutton’s forehead and her pleading eyes. He forcibly suppressed the urgency and frustration in his chest and gritted his teeth.

"...I’ll take you home first."

After that, he rushed home without stopping.

When he arrived, he was about to speak when his eyes fell on the low cabinet by the door.

The cabinet’s surface was polished like a mirror, but now, a small, square, deep-red velvet box was sitting neatly upon it.

It was the box for the matching rings he had bought at the jewelry store that afternoon.

"Wren, we need to talk," Kaden Xavier said, knocking on the door.