Back home, my dad looked unusually hesitant. “He really agreed?”
I nodded.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Looks like my daughter is very charming. Many people wanted to marry him but got rejected.”
I was at à loss for words.
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It wasn’t until Eric’s dad called–heartily laughing and calling my dad “in–law“-that my dad finally believed it.
After hanging up, my dad patted my shoulder, looking pleased. “Eric is someone I can trust. He’s decisive in manag- ing the company and has a knack for investments. And he’s not like me, who is surrounded by way too many female friends! Hahaha…”
Right then, his phone rang again. “Hello? Hey, babe, I’m on my way. Be good, okay?”
He pulled a card from his wallet and slipped it into my hand. “You just got back, and I haven’t bought you anything yet. If there’s something you like, go get it.”
After that, he hurried out.
I looked at his rounder figure and unconsciously tightened my grip on the card.
I stood there for a moment before heading upstairs.
My room was spotless like no one had ever left. On the desk was a photo of my mom and me.
I hadn’t been back here since she died.
I had no idea how long I stood there.
Then my old phone started buzzing in my bag again.
I paused, then opened it.
Calvin had sent a screenshot.
It was trending news, “Jacobson heir confirmed to be marrying Jensen heiress.”
Calvin dropped a message, “@Lucas ?”
Lucas replied in confusion, “?
“I didn’t know about this.
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“Hang on, I’ll ask my dad.
“Holy crap, it’s real???”
Hugo chimed in, “If it’s already on the news, then it’s not fake.”
The group chat went quiet for a few minutes.
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Lucas then came back with a longer message, “Wait, didn’t she used to be super picky before she went abroad? Now she’s just marrying anyone?
“Heh. Eric’s not even into girls. Is she really gonna marry him and live like a widow? Did she give up just because no one liked her?
Hugo hinted, “Thought someone here still had a thing for her.”
Andy responded shortly, “?”
Hugo didn’t let it go. “What did you do last night? You think we don’t know?”
Andy repeated, “?”
Calvin jumped in, “Come on, Andy, don’t play dumb. You and Lucas were fighting in front of her place, right? Lucas was there to warn her. What were you doing there?”
Andy shot back, “You guys had someone watching her?”
The group chat went quiet again.
After a while, Calvin changed the subject. “Anyway, she’s gonna be Eric’s wife. She’s Lucas‘ sister–in–law sooner or later. No point arguing about it now.”
Then Lucas suddenly sent a voice message, sounding pissed. “Are you kidding me? I chased her for so long and now she ends up with my brother?”
Andy snapped, “Aren’t you into Talia now?”
Lucas laughed. “What a joke. Are you questioning me? Who I like is none of your business. Alice is gonna be at the same table as me every holiday dinner from now on, so what game are you playing?”
Calvin stepped in, “He just stated a fact. Why are you getting defensive? Don’t you like Talia? Or are you still not over Alice?”
Lucas cursed nonstop, “Shut the hell up, Calvin. Weren’t you the one acting all sweet and innocent in front of Alice playing the nice guy? Who do you think you are? You’ve got no shame. I’ve been putting up with your crap for way too long.
“You think I don’t see what kind of dirty stuff you’ve got in your head? Two–faced as hell. Acting all innocent whil you’re the one who obsessed over her the most. You think I didn’t know?”
I was so shocked by the string of curses, that I quickly turned my phone volume down.
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Even Hugo, who had stayed silent, got dragged into Lucas’s rage.
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“And you, Hugo, acting all polite, well–mannered, but you’re just a fake. Weren’t you the one always playing the gen- tleman in front of Alice? Some girl even called you a ‘refined gentleman,‘ which makes me wanna puke. Look in the mirror, man. That fake smile might fool the rest of us, but stop lying to yourself.”
I was at a loss.
Questioning my ears and my whole life.
What was even more outrageous was that cussing wasn’t enough, and Lucas started a group call.
The other three joined almost instantly.
I had to fight the urge to join.
I had no idea what they were talking about.
A few minutes later, Calvin sent a message, “I know I can’t have her, alright? So settling for a stand–in is good enough. At least I’m not like you–wanting both, like a rabid dog.”
Not long after that, the group call ended.
And the chat went completely quiet.
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