Arthur cautiously leaned in and asked, "Cary, I’m the person who treats you the best in this world, right?"

“Mm-hmm.”

I gently pulled him into my embrace.

He was incredulous, his body trembling slightly.

But the next second, I recoiled from him, as if struck by an electric shock.

“Cary, did I do something wrong?” he asked, panicked and bewildered.

“You feel like an ice block, so cold...”

“I’m sorry... I’ll be right back!”

He stumbled out of the room.

Everything fell silent again.

In the dim light, I bowed my head, gently fiddling with the ring on my finger.

Arthur reappeared, dressed in clean, neat clothes. He seemed a...