Chapter 10 

They spent the day at the amusement park–riding the Ferris wheel, laughing on the carousel, sharing cotton candy and ice cream. Phoebe’s smile never faltered, as if the kidnapping drama had 

never happened. 

Kaden stayed by her side, going through the motions while his mind repeatedly drifted elsewhere. 

By evening, they ended up at an upscale restaurant downtown. The place was hosting a “Couples Challenge“-ten questions to test how well partners knew each other, with matching designer rings as the prize for perfect scores. 

Phoebe immediately perked up. “Kaden, we have to do this! We know each other better than anyone–we’ll definitely win.” 

Kaden wanted to refuse, but seeing her eager expression, he reluctantly agreed. “Fine.” 

They took their seats in the designated area, and the MC began the questions. 

“First question: Where was your first date?” 

Phoebe wrote without hesitation: Amusement park. 

Kaden’s pen froze mid–air, then he wrote: Beach. 

The MC reviewed their answers with an awkward smile. “Looks like we have different memories 

here.” 

Phoebe’s smile vanished instantly. “What? Our first date was definitely at the amusement park.” 

Kaden blinked, suddenly realizing his mistake–he’d written where he’d taken Hannah yesterday. Something uncomfortable twisted in his chest. “Sorry, I got confused.” 

“Second question: What’s your partner’s favorite color?” 

Phoebe confidently wrote: Blue. 

Kaden wrote: White. 

6.8 

4th Boaret Comes Too Late 

Chapter 10 

Hannah’s favorite color. 

“Third question: What’s your partner’s favorite food?” 

Phoebe wrote: Steak. 

Kaden wrote: Carbonara. 

Hannah’s preference. 

“Fourth question: What does your partner hate most?” 

Phoebe wrote: Being ignored. 

Kaden wrote: Being lied to. 

Something Hannah had once mentioned in passing. 

With each subsequent question, Kaden’s answers diverged further from Phoebe’s. By the end, they’d missed every single question, failing spectacularly. 

Phoebe stared at his answer sheet, her voice trembling. “What is all this? Who were you even thinking about?” 

Kaden fumbled for words, but before he could explain, she walked back to their table. 

Surprisingly, she didn’t make a scene. She just picked at her food, eyes glistening with unshed tears, looking genuinely hurt rather than angry. 

During the drive home, Kaden attempted damage control. “Phoebe, Hannah is technically my wife. I’ve been conditioned to think of her in certain contexts. It was just automatic–it doesn’t mean anything.” 

Phoebe kept her head down, her voice small. “I’m not mad. I don’t have the right to be mad. It just hurts. We love each other but can’t be together…” 

Kaden looked at her, feeling a strange new complexity in emotions he’d once found so simple. 

He gently wiped away a tear from her cheek. “Phoebe, what we have is enough. I’ll always take care of you, always be there for you.” 

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Chapter 10 

She looked up hopefully. “Kiss me?” 

Kaden hesitated before placing a quick peck on her cheek. 

Not satisfied, Phoebe touched her lips. “I meant here.” 

Something shifted in Kaden’s expression, his voice suddenly firm. “That’s enough, Phoebe. We can’t cross that line. This day is over–I need to check on Hannah.” 

Without waiting for her response, he stepped out of the car and walked toward the hospital entrance, not looking back. 

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