Chapter 5
The friend’s wedding was held at a private estate with excellent privacy.
I deliberately arrived late and picked a seat in the farthest corner.[]
The couple was greeting guests, light and shadow dancing around them, the sweet atmosphere practically overflowing. I looked down and sipped my champagne, the bubbles bursting on my tongue with a slightly bitter coolness.
“Miss Emma!” A deliberately lowered voice, unable to hide its delight, spoke beside me.[]
I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.
Susan was wearing a light pink cocktail dress–not flashy, but perfectly tailored, making her look radiant and youthful.[]
She was holding two drinks and naturally sat down in the empty seat next to me, as if we were really close sisters.
“Dylan went to say hi to the groom, so he sent me over first.“]
She pushed one of the drinks toward me with a sweet smile. “Miss Emma, about what happened at the studio last time, I’m really sorry. I was too reckless. Dylan gave me a serious talking–to afterward, and I’ve done some deep soul–searching.
This drink is for you, to apologize, and I hope you won’t be mad at me anymore, or at Dylan either, okay?”
She blinked her innocent big eyes, her tone so sincere it could melt hearts.
I looked at the clear liquid in the glass but didn’t touch it.[]
“I got your apology.” My voice was flat.
I looked past her toward Dylan, who was chatting with the newlyweds in the distance.[]
He wore a perfectly tailored dark gray suit, standing tall and commanding in the crowd, effortlessly charismatic as he laughed and chatted.
He seemed to sense my gaze and turned his head.]
Seeing me and Susan sitting together, his face immediately broke into a relieved, reassuring smile.
He even raised his glass toward me from across the room.]
See? He must think that Susan’s “apology” and my “acceptance” of her sitting next to me meant we’d “made up” again.
He was probably patting himself on the back for his “mediation” skills.
Susan followed my gaze, her smile deepening with a barely noticeable hint of smugness.
“Miss Emma, look how much Dylan cares about you–he keeps looking this way.” She leaned in closer, lowering her voice.[]
“Actually, Dylan’s under a lot of pressure lately. Several big projects are in negotiation, Ms. Parker’s breathing down his neck, and he’s not even sleeping well.“]
“Miss Emma, how’s… how’s your work going lately?“]
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Chapter 3
“If you’re too busy, I can take on more of the little things for Dylan, so you don’t wear yourself out.“]
The words sounded caring, but every sentence was a barb.[]
Before I could respond, Dylan had already walked over.[]
He naturally sat down next to Susan, creating a subtle triangle–him next to Susan, looking at me across her.[]
“What are you two talking about?” His tone was light, with a hint of coaxing, as he reached across Susan to grab the drink she’d pushed toward me. “This girl knows she messed up, so stop giving her the cold shoulder. It’s a celebration today–lighten up.“]
His fingers were long and elegant, his watch catching the light with a cold gleam.
Susan immediately shifted slightly to make room for his movement, her face showing just the right amount of shyness and nervousness, as if Dylan’s proximity made her flustered.
I watched his hand reach over so naturally, and that look on his face that said “I brought her here to apologize, what more do you want,” and my stomach churned.[]
He had no idea that Susan’s “apology” was itself a deeper insult.
Him bringing her to such an important occasion for our mutual friends was a declaration and humiliation in itself.
“I am happy.” I dodged his hand.[]
Picked up the champagne and drained it in one go.]
The ice–cold liquid slid down my throat, pushing down that sick feeling.[]
“They found their happily ever after, of course I’m happy.” I deliberately emphasized “happily ever after.“[]
Dylan’s hand froze mid–air, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, as if he thought I was still “throwing a tantrum” and being
unreasonable.
Susan immediately jumped in to smooth things over.]
Her voice was soft and gentle: “Yes, the bride is so beautiful, and her dress is gorgeous too. Don’t you think so, Dylan?“]
She looked up at Dylan, her eyes full of admiration and dependence.[]
“Mm.” Dylan gave a noncommittal response, his gaze still on me with a mix of scrutiny and mild impatience.]
“Ms. Parker was asking about you yesterday. Why can’t anyone reach you? No matter how busy work gets, you need to take care of yourself.” His tone carried a hint of reproach, as if he actually cared about me.
Before I could respond, Susan suddenly let out an “Oh no!“]
-Somehow, most of her drink had spilled onto her carefully chosen dress, spreading into a dark stain.[]
“Sorry, sorry!” She frantically stood up, face flushed red, looking helplessly at Dylan, then at me, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. “I… I didn’t mean to… what should I do…“[]
Dylan immediately stood up, pulling out napkins to help her dab at the stain, his brow furrowed. “How can you be so careless?”
His tone held exasperation, but also a barely detectable hint of indulgence.
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He looked up a me quickly. “Emma, did you bring any backup doted or maybe the glimt around, chuluusty tukking to somewhere to handle the situation.
The surrounding eyes were all drawn to tie Wife commotion
Susan hit her lip, on the verge of tears, like a startled deer, pressing close to Tylan as if he were her only refus
And me–1 sat there like a detached observer.
I don’t have any.” I said calmly, even picking up a napkin from the table to dab at the corner of my menth with deliberare slowness “But the estate should have emergency lounges and drying equipment. As an autimant, she should be more used to handling these kinds of situations than I am“]
I deliberately emphasized the word “assistent.“]]
Susan’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Dylan glanced at me, his expression complex–disapproval at my “coldness” mited with sympathy for Susan’s “pitiful” state[]
“Come on, I’ll go with you” He said quietly to Susan
Then he tossed me a line: “Wait here“]
I watched their retreating figures as they walked away together![]
Dylan slightly turned to shield Susan, while she leaned against him like a delicate bird, the wine stain on her dress like an ugly badge of honor, declaring the temporary “victory” of this silent war]]
What a harmonious picture.[]
I set down my glass and found an opportunity to say goodbye to the bride.]
“Oh? Dylan came?” The bride asked in surprise.
“Doesn’t matter, you’re the star today, Congratulations.” I smiled, my gaze sweeping over the pair hurrying back in the distance–Dylan’s face showed a hint of anxiety, while Susan had changed into a backup light blue dress, looking even more pinful
After speaking, I turned around and merged into the thick darkness outside the estate without hesitation]
Behind me, I could faintly hear Dylan’s raised voice, tinged with anger. “Emma! Where are you going?!]
I didn’t look back []
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