The singing ceased, the sounds of drinking gas quieted, and the once boisterous room suddenly fell silent.
Aside from their similar appearance, Zane Rhodes and Ronan Rhodes had almost nothing in common.
If you only looked at their photos, you might find it hard to tell them apart, but when compared in person, their personalities seed to be written all over their faces.
Ronan Rhodes was lively and passionate, carefree; whereas Zane Rhodes was the complete opposite.
His cold, ice-like face rarely showed any expression, and he appeared more mature and composed.
He entered the room without greeting anyone, without saying a word, while Zoe Whitman, clinging to his arm, smiled sweetly, her wave appearing slightly shy.
As the host tonight, Ronan stood up to welco them: "Brother, sister-in-law, please take a seat."
Erin Bishop found the term "sister-in-law" a bit grating.
From the mont Zane entered, Erin’s gaze never strayed from him. Zane obviously didn’t know she was there, and upon seeing her, his already displeased face furrowed with tension.
Zoe pulled Zane into the seat vacated by Ronan, sitting right next to Shannon Quinn.
Zane was on Erin’s left, separated by Shannon Quinn and Zoe Whitman.
Ronan returned to sit beside Erin, filling everyone’s cups with beer, and with a microphone in hand, he said: "Now that everyone is here, I actually just want to announce sothing today."
As he spoke, he stood up, pulling Erin to her feet beside him, lightly wrapping his arm around her, saying: "I’m no longer single!"
"This is my girlfriend, Erin Bishop."
Listening to Ronan, Zane’s face looked even worse, but since he usually wore a poker face, few knew what he was really thinking.
Everyone was clapping and cheering, Zoe cheerfully said to Zane: "Now look, your brother finally found a proper partner, you can worry less and focus entirely on ."
Zane remained stone-faced, offering no reply.
Zoe assud that was just his nature and didn’t notice anything unusual. She continued, "The girl is quite pretty, seems like a good girl, what do you think?"
"Mm." Zane emitted a simple sound, seemingly perfunctory but hiding other implications that the listener didn’t understand.
Ronan also secretly glanced at Zane, then said: "From now on, I am a man with family commitnts, I hope you understand, because I may not participate in such events as often, so cherish tonight’s monts."
Erin covertly observed Zane’s expression; she didn’t actually know what kind of reaction she hoped to see. She knew he was a man with deep thoughts; even if he felt sothing, he wouldn’t act on it or show emotions on his face.
But an inexplicable sense of disappointnt arose; what was she hoping to achieve with all this?
Did she want Zane to disregard everything and proclaim in this mont that she was his woman?
Even in dreams, Erin would never dare dream such things.
She knew Zane would never act so out of character, nor could she discern what he was thinking at the mont.
She could only feel that the sight of the woman leaning against him was an eyesore.
Imaginary visions, impossible to realize, flashed through her mind, a sense of inexplicable sadness and grievance brought tears to her eyes.
Luckily, the lighting was dim; as long as she maintained a smile, no one would notice her distress.
Perhaps this was a mistake, selfish and childish, but she was unwilling to let go.
Even if it ant being seen as a villain by others, she wanted to cling to that faint hope for just one chance for herself.
After finishing, Ronan resud the singing and drinking, the outward joy mixed with complex emotions.
In the dark, she would secretly watch Zane, always seeing Zoe turn her head to whisper in his ear.
She envied them; once she and he were clearly happy together, why did he have to abandon her with such cruelty?
Seeing soone she loved deeply, she now had to pretend not to know him; she wondered how heartless he must be to maintain such calm.
Perhaps she simply loved a heartless man.
After he left, she tried dating, tried loving others and even tasted the bitterness of betrayal.
Perhaps because there was no real love, things soon passed, and she was able to let go.
As for Zane, she had tried to forget him, but it was self-deception; she simply hid him in the deepest part of her heart, never ntioning him, thinking this way she could finally forget...
When she heard of his return, she thought she might have a chance at reconciliation, with a stomach full of grievances and questions, but ultimately, there was another woman by his side.
How could she willingly send them her blessings?
Her heart was wicked; she couldn’t let go and give her love away so generously.
"Zane, I want to go to the restroom; could you accompany ?"
Zane stood up, Zoe inford everyone and left with Zane’s arm in hers.
Beside them, a guy remarked: "These two really have a good relationship; they’re practically inseparable every day."
"Yeah, now even Ronan found soone, makes want to settle down and find a woman to marry too."
Erin couldn’t hear any of it, watching the two leave the room; she got up and followed hurriedly: "I’m heading to the restroom too."
Ronan understood what Erin was thinking, wanting to follow her out, but Shannon Quinn got up: "I’ll go check on her; you stay and keep your friends company."
When Shannon followed, she saw Erin hurriedly heading toward the restroom.
She quickly caught up and stopped at the corner, finding Erin and Zane.
Zoe might have already gone into the bathroom; it was just the two of them left in the corridor.
Shannon thought for a mont, stopping herself from disturbing them, standing by the wall, and heard nothing between the two.
After a while, Erin’s slightly choked voice finally asked Zane: "Will you continue pretending not to know ?"
Hearing her hoarse voice and seeing the tears in her eyes, Zane’s heart ached.
She was still the sa, always appearing bold and carefree, like a tomboy to others, yet before him, she was a girl who loved to cry.
"Zane! Won’t you even say a word of explanation to ?"
Zane looked down at her and calmly spoke: "Did you approach Ronan because of these matters?"
Erin smiled bitterly, answered with a question tinged with mockery: "You still care who I’m with?"
"I just wanted to say, if you have other motives, then don’t approach Ronan. If it’s genuine, then I wish you both well."
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