Chapter: 74

Bethany used to linger after her evening classes when everyone else had left, often stopping by to enjoy noodles.

"It shouldn't be because of me," Bethany said.

Back then, the idea that someone would do something considerate for her seemed unthinkable.

After discussing recent changes at the school with the woman, Bethany didn't want to delay their closing time. She quickly wrapped up her noodles and headed out.

As she stepped outside, she noticed Jonathan waiting across the street.

He hadn't followed into the restaurant with her but waited outside, smoking a cigarette.

“You've never been here before, have you?" Bethany inquired.

Coming from an affluent background, he wasn't the type to frequent such modest eateries.

“I've been here," Jonathan said, extinguishing his cigarette, taking her packed food, and walking alongside her.

Bethany looked at him curiously. "What?"

"I'm not as high and mighty as you might think," he explained.

Although the Bates family was wealthy back then, they were not as affluent as they were now.

"Do you enjoy the noodles from that place?" Bethany asked.

"They're decent. I've been eating there for two months straight,"

Jonathan answered.

Bethany was surprised. She covered her mouth and laughed. “Let me share a secret. I actually worked at that restaurant for two months in junior high! I was just tall enough to avoid being caught for child labor. Otherwise, I would have felt guilty towards the couple who hired me. I pleaded with them to let me work there at the time."

With a gentle smile, Jonathan quietly listened as she reminisced about her past.

They continued their conversation to the hotel they had booked. The noodles had clumped together in the bag, but Bethany still tasted them.

“Just as I remembered."

She reached for another bite, but Jonathan playfully swatted her hand away.

"Don't eat that. It's cold now. It might upset your stomach."

His concern for her well-being was apparent.

Bethany's mind wandered for a moment. She started to ponder if Jonathan's regular reminders about her stomach health were tied to Maddie's own digestive troubles.

It wasn't that Maddie was always on her mind, but whenever Jonathan expressed concern, Bethany couldn't help but recall his tattoo, the passcode to his house, and Maddie's behavior towards him.