Annelise stood up and courteously apologized to Arthur Warner and Renee Perry.
"Aunt, Uncle, it’s been a pleasure dining with you! It’s about to rain, so I think I’d better leave quickly."
Arthur looked at the sky outside, already covered with dark clouds, and quickly said, "Just sit down and finish your al properly. There are plenty of places to stay at the old house. I’ll have Mama Langdon tidy up a room for you, so you can stay here tonight. It’s late, and with the rain, it’s not safe for you to go back alone!"
"No need, Uncle, I’ll just call a cab to leave."
Annelise was unwilling to stay; she couldn’t stand seeing Elias Warner and Sylvia Lowell living together before marriage.
It would remind her of past monts she shared with Elias Warner.
"Since your uncle asked you to stay, why not just stay?" Renee chid in, secretly thinking that perhaps seeing Sylvia and Elias together tonight would finally make Annelise give up.
Sylvia was clever and imdiately understood Renee’s implication.
"Annelise, why don’t you stay and chat with ? Are you upset because I didn’t tell you about Elias and ?"
Among the people at the table, only Elias remained silent.
Annelise glanced at Elias, and hearing Sylvia’s words, realized that if she insisted on leaving, people might think she was being petty because she held a grudge against Sylvia.
She nodded, "That would be a bother!"
After dinner
Mama Langdon prepared a room for Annelise.
This room was one Annelise frequently stayed in when she visited the Warner Family house.
Back then, she was treated almost like Arthur Warner’s daughter at the house.
But now, things were different.
Just as Annelise was preparing to go to the room Mama Langdon arranged, Sylvia ca over.
"Annelise, if you’re free, let’s take a walk!"
In a pink long dress and white socks, Sylvia exuded a youthful charm with her hair draped softly over her shoulders, looking gentle and demure.
Annelise raised an eyebrow, "You should ask Elias to accompany you."
"Annelise, I know you’re still upset with for not telling you about Elias, but... I didn’t tell you because I feared you’d be angry... yet, you’ve already broken up with Elias, haven’t you? Can’t you wish us well?"
Annelise sneered.
That made her sound petty.
As if she were jealous of Sylvia.
"Sylvie, yes, I’ve broken up with Elias, but don’t you have any selfish motives? Didn’t you like him back when we were still together? If you considered your best friend, why did you pretend not to know him when I sold his suit?"
Sylvia bit her lip.
Annelise scoffed coldly, "Alright, there’s nothing more to say between us. I wish you and Elias a lifeti of happiness! And perhaps you misunderstood—I no longer have any feelings for Elias. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sold his suit!"
"Is that true, Annelise? I really like Elias, and I hope you won’t et up with him alone anymore. I don’t want to lose you as a friend!"
Sylvia’s eyes brimd with a slight redness.
"Don’t worry. Since I cut ties with Elias five years ago, I certainly won’t rekindle anything with him now. Live well!"
Indeed, she was about to leave soon, so how could there still be any entanglent with Elias?
Sylvia was delighted, hugging Annelise’s arm as she had in the past, leaning on Annelise’s shoulder.
Her eyes were full of longing, "Annelise, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you married my brother and beca my sister-in-law? Then we’d be family."
"You’re surely more familiar with the Warner house than I am. Co on, let’s go out for a walk!"
Sylvia pulled Annelise up.
The two of them went together to the back garden.
The flowers in the old house were usually tended by Mama Langdon, sothing Annelise was aware of.
This garden, Elias and she often ca to in the past.
Back then, Elias promised to fill it with roses just for her, picking one every day to give her.
Now, the garden was planted full of lilies.
Lilies were Sylvia’s favorite, she rembered correctly.
It seed that the promise Elias made to her was now transferred to Sylvia.
Sylvia noticed the expression on Annelise’s face but pretended not to see.
"It’s raining, only we could stand here admiring the flowers. Thank you for keeping company. I was worried it would be awkward alone with the Warner elders, but you made today really enjoyable."
Annelise turned and smiled, "As long as you’re happy. The rain is getting heavier, let’s go rest. I have work tomorrow!"
"Annelise, can I sleep with you tonight?"
Sylvia held onto Annelise’s hand.
"Sylvie, didn’t Ms. Perry say you should stay with Elias? Go quick, don’t keep him waiting!"
Annelise felt a pang of sympathy, noticing a love mark hidden in Sylvia’s hair.
Elias must’ve left it on her last night.
Sylvia blushed in silence.
"Alright, off you go!"
Annelise pushed her along.
They returned to their adjoining rooms, and Sylvia lingered at Elias’s doorway, reluctantly bidding farewell to Annelise.
Annelise urged her into Elias’s room.
Turning, she returned to her room and leaned against the door, taking deep breaths.
The suffocating feeling was so strong, she thought she might die.
Unsteadily, she washed up and lay down but couldn’t fall asleep.
The rain outside pounded heavier and heavier.
Bzz... bzz...
The phone rang.
It was a call from her daughter, Luna.
"Mom, where are you? I miss you! Won’t you co ho tonight to be with Luna?"
"Sweetheart, be good. I can’t co ho tonight, but tomorrow, I’ll be off work and spend the day with you, alright?"
"Okay, Mom, but I miss you!"
Luna pouted, her eyes slightly red.
"Be a good girl; tomorrow I’ll stay with you and hold you while you sleep, okay?"
"Okay, Mom, you have to keep your promise. Goodnight, Mom!"
Luna reluctantly hung up.
Still, Annelise couldn’t sleep.
Late night
Bzz... bzz...
The phone rang again.
Annelise frowned, wondering why Luna was still awake at this hour.
Looking down, she saw a familiar number.
It was Elias Warner.
He sent a voice ssage:
"Co over!"
"No way!"
Annelise frowned, wondering when Elias developed such a quirk.
Did he seriously want her to watch him and Sylvia?
"Co over!"
"Sylvia is with you. What do you want from ?"
"Get over here, stop the nonsense!"
"I’m not that perverted, enough is enough!"
"Fine, if you won’t co, I’ll go to you!"
"Get that idea out of your head; I won’t open the door!"
Annelise tossed the phone aside, laying back in bed.
No matter the incoming ssages, she ignored them.
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