Chapter 3
“Hey, Domi, I’m not hungry yet. You guys go ahead and eat,” I called out, trying to delay the inevitable.
Soon enough, I heard Juliette’s light laugh outside my room.-
Til go wake up Ana,‘ she announced. “You know, if it weren’t for her, Eli and I wouldn’t have gotten together so quickly last night.“}]
There was another gentle knock on my door.
Ana, it’s Juliette. Come on, do me a favor and join us for lunch, okay?” she coaxed.N
Growing up, my parents and brother always taught me to be polite, especially when we had guests. So, swallowing my reluctance, I opened the door.
At the dining table, Elijah was silent, but he was tenderly piling food onto Juliette’s plate. In a matter of minutes, her plate looked like a small mountain of food.
“Eli, Ana’s still here,” Juliette teased with a glance at me. “She wasn’t in the best of moods after last night. You don’t want her getting jealous, do you?*%
Elijah looked up coolly. “Jealous? Why would she be? You’re the one I’m marrying. Ana’s like a sister to me, just like Dominic sees her.”
I sat there, pushing my food around my plate, each bite tasteless. My brother opened his mouth as if to say something, then just sighed heavily.
Juliette had a bit of sauce at the corner of her mouth, and Elijah, obliging as ever, reached over to wipe it away. Juliette batted his hand aside with a grin. “Eli, use your lips,” she giggled, leaning in invitingly.N
Elijah paused, then chuckled and kissed her, right there at the table.N
Juliette turned to me, seemingly triumphant. “Ana, don’t take it to heart. Eli’s just… well, he’s hooked since that night. You’ll understand when you have a boyfriend,” she said smugly.N
The meal was tasteless, and I set down my fork. “I’m full. You guys enjoy,” I said, pushing back my chair.
Even Dominic, as naive as he could be, had to see what was going on between Elijah and Juliette.
After the meal, he was fuming, slapping his thigh in frustration. “You dummy! You had such a good chance last night, and you let Juliette, that sly fox, snatch it away! Can’t Elijah see through her? I sure can. They were flaunting their relationship at the table just to rile you up. You and Elijah have a spark.”
I cut him off, “Domi, enough. Don’t say that anymore.“N
He looked at me in disbelief.
I smiled faintly, “I don’t like Elijah anymore. Please, set me up with someone else.”
My brother, ever protective, made sure I wasn’t joking before he finally relaxed.§
“Oh, thank goodness. I’ve been telling you not to be hung up on just one guy. Elijah’s great, but there are plenty of other fish in the sea.”
Ill set you up with Benjamin Calloway, the one I mentioned before. His family’s business dwarfs the Kensington’s, and he’s a handsome guy who’s also never been in a relationship. You two might hit it off.”
I obediently took my phone and added Benjamin’s contact. Letting go of Elijah seemed daunting, but once I decided, it felt surprisingly
easy
This time, I could change my fate and my daughter’s.
*Eli, could you help me move my suitcase into your room?” Juliette’s voice chimed, filled with laughter.
She turned to me, “Ana,” she said sweetly, “Eli’s house isn’t ready yet, and he wants me close, so I’ll be staying here for a few days. You don’t mind, right?”
I shook my head, “Of course not.“%
I watched Elijah carry her suitcase, bustling around, and couldn’t help the wry smile that formed.
In my previous life, after that night, Elijah, worried about Juliette’s feelings, sent her abroad under the guise of further studies. After our hasty wedding, he spent most of his time overseas.§
I raised our daughter, Caroline, alone, waiting for him to return, only to see him walk through the airport hand in hand with Juliette.
His gaze was always cold and distant when directed at me, unlike the warmth he now showed Juliette.
Lost in thought, I suddenly collided with something. Juliette, holding a basin of water, managed to spill it all over herself and let out a dramatic gasp.
Jules!” Elijah’s face changed, and he rushed over to protect Juliette, casting a wary glance my way.
Juliette nestled into his arms tears brimming in her oves. “Ane if you dides
from Elijah, and it’s really expensive. Why would you ruin it on purpose?“}}
I fumbled for words, “I didn’t, I didn’t mean to.”
“Enough!” Elijah cut me off sharply. “Ana, I told you to stop these childish games. If you don’t want Jules here, we’ll be gone by tomorrow.” He didn’t give me a chance to explain, scooping Juliette up to change her clothes.
Over his shoulder, Juliette smirked at me triumphantly.
When Juliette emerged wearing my most cherished dress, my face went pale.§
Elijah justified it easily, “You haven’t worn it since I gave it to you. Jules might as well use it.“}
