On her birthday, her husband's white moonlight returned Chapter 2

It was still early, and Aubrey, having left the police department, suddenly didn't know what to do.

In all her years in the capital, her heart had been solely focused on her work and Caleb. She hadn’t really explored the city on her own.

She had once playfully tugged on Caleb’s arm, saying she wanted to go boating in Northlake Park, wanted to see the sunset from Hilltop Garden.

But Caleb always put her off, citing his busy schedule.

Aubrey followed the crowd, unknowingly visiting many places.

Northlake Park, Hilltop Garden, the Department Store…

All the places she’d wanted to go with Caleb but had been repeatedly refused, she now visited alone, one by one.

Aubrey stopped abruptly outside the Culture Palace.

Caleb was walking into the movie theater with Serena.

The chalkboard outside the cinema announced the day’s screening: *Love on Mount Lushan*.

It was a romance film, one she had wanted to see.

But when she’d asked Caleb, he’d said, “Given our positions, it’s not appropriate to spend all our time watching these romantic things.”

But she hardly ever watched them.

Caleb seemed to have forgotten that they had never once been to the movies together.

Aubrey leaned against the wall, watching Caleb hand Serena a cream popsicle as they walked in, shoulder to shoulder. She offered a helpless smile.

It turned out Chief Vance wasn’t busy; he just wasn’t busy *with her*.

It turned out she, his wife, wasn’t allowed any special treatment.

Aubrey simply let her mind wander, strolling aimlessly until she found herself home.

By the time she pushed open the door, it was half past five.

Caleb was already back.

In their three years of marriage, his military duties kept him so busy that he’d never been home this early.

Aubrey asked, “So early? No need to look after her anymore?”

Caleb didn’t answer.

Aubrey glanced at the sunset outside the window, speaking to herself. “I walked around a bit today. The capital is really vast!”

Caleb flinched, his brows unconsciously furrowing. “We agreed I’d take you when I had time.”

Aubrey recalled all the unfulfilled promises and simply chuckled softly. “I realized that many things, I can do by myself.”

A peculiar, unidentifiable feeling stirred in Caleb’s heart.

He skipped the topic. “Tonight, let’s eat at the classic restaurant downtown. Serena insisted on treating us to dinner.”

He added, “A few of my comrades will be there too. It’s not just her and me.”

Aubrey’s brow subtly twitched.

She didn't want to go, not at all.

She didn’t even care how many people would be at the dinner, or if Serena would be alone with Caleb.

“What? You don’t want to go?” Caleb noticed her hesitation, and his tone instantly turned cold.

“Serena feels a little bad about today’s incident and genuinely wants to treat you to dinner. You’re unwilling to go?”

“Aubrey, are you trying to make us look ridiculous? To make Serena think you’re narrow-minded and still holding a grudge?”

“Everyone knows we’re married. How can a wife not attend? Won’t people think you’re bothered by Serena?”

“Do you really want to see her talked about behind her back?”

Aubrey looked at the pressure in his eyes and finally conceded. “Fine, I’ll go.”

Caleb breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing her hair as he often did. “Give me a moment to shower and change.”

When Caleb emerged from the room, he had changed out of his uniform.

White shirt, black pants, hair still damp, even freshly shaven. He looked incredibly refreshed.

Aubrey forced a smile.

It seemed not only women primped for those who pleased them; men did too.

She remembered once complaining that Caleb’s stubble was scratchy, and he’d lectured her then, telling her to focus on her work.

By the time they arrived at the classic restaurant, Serena and the others were already there.

Caleb’s comrades were seated in the private room. When they saw Aubrey, they greeted her warmly as “Chief’s wife.”

Only Officer Miller was busy pouring tea, seemingly oblivious to her presence.

Aubrey didn’t mind and found a seat.

Halfway through the meal, a plate of stir-fried chicken chunks was brought out.

Serena saw it and naturally served Caleb a piece with her fork.

“Caleb, you love this the most. Eat more.”

Caleb’s hand, holding his fork, paused. He said in a deep voice, “Eat your own. Don’t worry about me.”

He said that, but still put the chicken in his mouth.

Serena then seemed to realize Aubrey was present, suddenly looking up with an apologetic expression. “Aubrey, Chief’s wife, please don’t misunderstand, we…”

She stopped mid-sentence, her face gradually turning red, looking distressed and unsure how to explain.

Aubrey finished her sentence for her.

“I know. You two were first loves.”

The entire private room fell silent. No one had expected Aubrey to bring it up so directly.

Serena’s face turned from green to pale.

But Aubrey smiled faintly, as if stating the most ordinary fact.

“But that’s all in the past. Now, we’re all comrades, pure and simple. Helping each other, looking out for each other, is only right.”

“Let’s eat!”

Forks clinked again, but everyone at the table was lost in their own thoughts.

Caleb’s eyes were shadowed, lost in thought.

Serena also settled down, making no more subtle gestures.

After a few rounds of drinks, one of Caleb’s comrades raised his glass. “Come on, it’s rare for Chief Vance and his wife to join us for dinner. Let’s all drink a toast!”

Serena coughed lightly, delicately covering her mouth. “Oh dear, I… I can’t drink much. My throat hasn’t been feeling well lately.”

Caleb’s gaze immediately fell on her, with a hint of concern.

He turned to Aubrey, his tone calm but unyielding. “Aubrey, Serena isn’t feeling well. Please drink on her behalf.”

Aubrey’s body stiffened.

Drink on her behalf?

She had just had a miscarriage, her lower abdomen still ached, and her body hadn’t fully recovered.

He was actually asking her to drink for Serena!

Aubrey’s face paled. She looked at Caleb, searching for a trace of hesitation or pity in his eyes.

But Caleb’s eyes held only Serena.

“Drink it. I know you can handle your liquor. Is it so hard to help Serena?” he spoke again, his voice deeper.

Seeing this, the other comrades also started urging her to drink.

Aubrey’s hand trembled as she picked up the glass. Under everyone’s gaze, she tilted her head back and downed it.

The pungent liquor slid down her throat, burning her esophagus, and her heart.

As soon as the alcohol hit her stomach, she immediately felt dizzy, and her stomach began to ache.

The comrades around them exchanged glances, the atmosphere becoming even more subtle.

They had expected Aubrey to cause a scene, but she had drunk it down so readily.

Caleb ignored his wife’s pale face, pouring a bowl of soup for Serena. “You haven’t been well lately. This soup is good for you, drink more.”

Serena’s lips curved slightly. “Mmm, Caleb, you’re still as thoughtful as ever.”

Aubrey swayed, almost falling. She clenched her hands tightly under the table, her nails almost digging into her palms, finally regaining her composure.

After dinner, Serena suddenly smiled and invited everyone. “It’s still early. Why don’t you all come over to my place for a bit?”

She added, a little shyly, “Actually, today is my birthday.”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t want to come, so I only dared to say it now.”

Everyone chuckled and agreed to go. Caleb, without asking Aubrey’s preference, pulled her along with him.

Upon arriving at Serena’s apartment, while she was in the back room boiling water, Caleb walked over to Aubrey.

He lowered his voice, with clear reproach.

“Aubrey, you shouldn’t have said those things at the dinner table earlier.”

“Serena isn’t married yet; how will she face people later? You embarrassed her so much, and she’s a sensitive person…”

“How many times do I have to tell you? Your fathers’ old feuds are their business. It has nothing to do with her. Stop deliberately making things difficult for her!”

Aubrey looked into his eyes and asked very seriously, “So, do I need to apologize to her?”

Caleb was silent for a moment, then his tone softened, but his words were even more hurtful.

“Yes.”

“Not only do you need to apologize, but I also hope you’ll talk to her and comfort her. She must be very upset right now, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.”

In an instant, a thick layer of mist clouded Aubrey’s eyes.

She suddenly let out a soft laugh, but a clear sniffle came with it.

“Caleb, do you remember what day it is today?”