Chapter 47 Sober

Yvette asked, half-smiled, "Do you want to spend a lifetime with me?"
Albert remained silent for a long time.
Yvette could feel his gaze on her. She slowly lifted her head, and their eyes met. He seemed slightly taken aback for a moment but quickly regained his composure.
Yvette expected him to say something, but he said nothing at all.
His silence made her realize things clearly.
With a rather bitter smile in her heart, she wondered what she had been hoping for just now.
"It's just a joke, don't be afraid. We didn't get married out of love," she chuckled at Albert. Stubbornly, she didn't want him to see her sorrow. Her voice, subtly hoarse, went almost unnoticed. "It's fine to end it like this. Albert, I hope you and Violet grow old together."
No more parting ways, no more giving her any false hopes.
After parting ways with Albert, Yvette didn't go home. 
Lassie had become perceptive recently, like an expert in microexpressions, always noticing when something was off with her. She didn't want Lassie to figure anything out, so she decided to wait until she felt calmer before returning.
She took a taxi out of the harbor area, heading to the bustling district of Luken.
Navigating through the crowded streets, Yvette finally started to relax.
The world was so vast; as long as she stayed away from Albert's sphere, she could conceal herself.
Yvette was wandering when she suddenly heard someone calling her name from behind.
"Yvette?"
She turned around and saw a person uncertainly staring at her. After a moment, she exclaimed in surprise, "It's really Yvette. Honey, come over! I've run into a classmate!" Yvette had not expected to encounter a high school classmate.
After a few minutes, she remembered that this female classmate's name was Olina.
Olina warmly asked her husband, Eric, to get Yvette a drink. The shy Eric poured her a cup of coffee. Seeing this, Olina immediately scolded Eric for not washing the cup first. Eric flushed the cup and poured her a fresh cup of coffee.
Eric paid no attention to Olina's scolding and nagging. After completing the task, he even turned his head, seeking praise.
Olina felt a bit embarrassed and quickly said, "We were just out shopping. I saw a figure ahead that looked a lot like you, but I wasn't quite sure. I followed you for several meters before calling out to you. It's really a coincidence; we haven't seen each other in many years since graduation."
Yvette smiled. "It has been quite a while."
Olina continued, "You later pursued medicine, right? My husband is actually your former classmate. I doubt you remember him; he's quite unremarkable." She spoke disparagingly, but her eyes were filled with love. "I heard from him that you used to be in the top three in our department. Did you go to Central Hospital after graduation? My husband couldn't even get in there."
The coffee in front of Yvette emitted a pleasant aroma. She cradled the cup in her hands, gently swirling it, and said, "I resigned. I'm no longer at Central Hospital; I'm now a flight surgeon at North Airlines."
"Ah?" Not only Olina but Eric was also very surprised.
Eric, who had been silent all this while, exclaimed excitedly, "How could this be? You were in the top three of our class! You're so outstanding; why didn't you stay at Central Hospital? Did you choose to be a flight surgeon? Even undergraduates can be flight surgeons!"
Eric's excitement and outburst made Olina a bit embarrassed. She quickly explained, "I'm sorry. My husband admires top students. He thinks it's a pity based on his perspective. I think it's great for a woman to be a flight surgeon. I heard that flight surgeons work one day and have two days off, which is more relaxed and convenient for taking care of the family."
Yvette awkwardly smiled, unsure how to respond, and could only nod.
"Right."
Olina noticed that Yvette seemed reluctant to discuss work, so she changed the subject and brought up the popular figure from their school days.
"I wonder if our school heartthrob, Albert, has gotten married. I wonder if he and Violet are still together?"
Yvette heard their names. Her hand trembled, causing her to spill a good amount of coffee on Olina.
"I'm so sorry," Yvette panicked, hastily handing her some tissues. "Let me help you clean that up."
Olina waved it off. "It's okay. I'll go to the restroom and take care of it."
Olina left, leaving only Yvette and Eric behind.
During the meal earlier, he had been visibly uncomfortable. He noticed a tinge of awkwardness in Yvette's expression.
He hesitated several times before finally quietly speaking after Olina left.
"I really didn't expect to run into you here." He scratched his head in embarrassment. "About our school days, I hope you won't tell my wife. She's the jealous type, and I'm afraid she might get the wrong idea."
Yvette smiled. "I don't remember anything from the past."
Eric looked at Yvette gratefully. "Thank you."
Back in school, Eric pursued Yvette. He wrote her love letters and brought her breakfast. When she rejected him, he was heard drinking all night and ended up sick.
Afterward, he forgot about her and found his partner to walk hand in hand into marriage.
This is what loving someone truly meant - not only avoiding the girls you once liked but even feeling guilty if your wife found out about your past affection for others.
Yvette took a bitter sip of her coffee.
After the meal, Yvette watched as Olina and Eric left.
Eric carefully held Olina's waist as they walked, engaging in a seemingly argumentative conversation. Their outward discord belied a deep display of affection.
As their figures gradually disappeared, Yvette remained standing in place.
It seemed that men throughout their lives never truly loved just one girl.
Why wasn't Albert like that?
When Yvette returned home, it was almost eleven o'clock. Lassie was still awake, sitting in the living room, waiting for her return.
"Why are you back so late again? I've told you you're pregnant, don't come back so late. I'm worried about your safety, and since you're married, you should consider your reputation."
Yvette, feeling weary, nodded absently. "I understand."
Lassie looked up, her expression intelligent, her eyes sharp. "Is Albert busy lately? Invite him over for dinner."
Yvette felt irritated at the mention of Albert. "Just say what you want."
Although Lassie could say anything if not asked, when directly prompted, she became a bit hesitant.
After contemplating for a moment, she said, "Wayne and I have discussed it. We want to exchange this old house of ours for a new one."
Yvette frowned. "We don't have that much money. Wayne still needs medicine and medical treatment. We need to save."
Lassie said, "We did the math. If we sell this house, plus the $100,000 I have, we're still short by $60,000. Can Albert lend us some money?"
"Lend?" Yvette scoffed coldly. "Who would lend us?"
Yvette's attitude angered Lassie. She reverted to her sharp demeanor and asked, "We haven't borrowed any money yet, and you're already asking who will lend us money. It's only right for me to ask him for money when you're having his child and inviting him over for dinner."
Yvette tightened her lips and, after a long pause, said, "If you want money, ask for it sooner. Once we divorce, you won't be able to ask anymore."