DORA’S POV
I made my way to the red couch, the afternoon sun slipping through my windows and across my bare legs, but my mind wasn’t on the view. My eyes were glued to my phone screen, I was watching yet another relationship advice video. At this point I had no choice, I’m looking for every means to get this.
“Step one,” the peppy voice said, “make him feel like he can’t live without you. Be his sunshine, even on his brightest days!”
I scoffed softly, curling my fingers around the phone tighter.
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“Sunshine?” I said, my lips tugging into a smirk. “Please. I’ll be the whole damn sun if I
have to.
Then I jumped to the next video.
“Step two: confidence. Never let him see you sweat. Make him chase you.”
I tilted my head back against the couch, and my jaw tighten.
“Chase me?” I repeated my voice barely above a whisper. “He already did. And he will again.”
could still remember those nights when Adrian’s gaze had been entirely mine when he used to call at midnight just to hear my voice, when he used to send flowers.
without a reason.
But that was when everything suddenly became different, he didn’t even leave any reaction to my Instagram stories, and that was the one place I made sure to look my best, I knew each day I was away from Adrian, Olivia was tightening her grip around him like some poisonous vine.
I couldn’t stop my lips from pressing together, a wave of stubborn heat rising in my chest.
That was how much I despised that b*tch, she might be playing games with all of us, making us think she doesn’t want anything to do with Adrian anymore but I could see through her, all she is is a poor witch who is looking for someone to leach off. And I would not let some charity–case Cinderella steal him away so easily.
Snapping my phone off, I stood up and stretched my back a little “Enough watching these ridiculous videos,” I told myself. “Time to remind the world who I am.”
The supermarket was surprising Successfully unlocked! day afternoon, and even though I hated being around poor public people that drop me. Am sure my blazer and silk blouse outshined even the fancy packaging of imported goods lining the aisles.
I went over to the food aisle and selected strawberries first – the expensive kind,
CHAPTER 061
glossy and bright like little rubies in their plastic case. Then a few imported chocolates, the ones Adrian had always praised.
He used to say they tasted better when I fed them to him, I thought, a small, wistful smile ghosting across my lips.
Just as I reached for a bottle of sparkling wine, my eyes caught a familiar figure across the aisle. Tall. Carelessly handsome. Wearing a sharp gray jacket over a plain white T- shirt.
Isn’t he the guy that was hugging that gold digger?
Seems like they must be friends.
What’s his name again……. Julian?
My eyes narrowed instinctively, the sight of him irritating me like a grain of sand in a designer shoe. And everyone knows how disturbing that is, Without thinking, I abandoned my cart and strode toward him.
“You know you’re pretty famous after what you did with her.” I drawled, My voice soaked in honeyed disdain.
He turned his attention to me, I could see the look of confusion on his face, he probably didn’t know who I was.
w you?” he finally asked.
re you’ve heard of me, the name Isadora the rightful wife to Adrian,” I said ing my shoulders high with pride.
mean who wouldn’t?
He didn’t seem to be impressed though, in fact after I introduced myself he just stopped paying attention, ignoring my very presence, was he trying to insult me?
“Running errands for your precious Olivia? Stocking up for her next sad little fundraiser?”
Julian glanced at me briefly, cool and uninterested, before turning his focus back to the shelf in front of him.
“I didn’t realize you worked here,” he replied evenly, grabbing a bottle of mineral water.
You
be off spending someone else’s money right about now?”
My smile tightened. “Clever“/I replied, tone sharp beneath the sweetness. “But let’s skip the childish insults, shall we? I have a message for you.”
Julian arched a brow but didn’t bother to fully turn toward me. “You think I’m
interested in anything you have to say?”
“You should be,” I snapped, taking a step closer. “Your friend is playing a dangerous game, I’ve warned her to back off but she clearly doesn’t value her safety, so I want you to advise her for her own good, Adrian and I are perfectly fine, if it’s money she wants I’ll reward her, but she should leave that house while she still has the chance.
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Julian’s jaw flexed, but he kept his tone neutral. “Perfectly fine you say?”
Hearing that I could barely keep my temper under control “Adrian is confused,” I said. ” And I don’t blame him. Olivia has been meddling, playing her pathetic little games. But it ends now.”
Julian finally turned to face me, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp. “What ends now is this conversation.” His voice dropped to a warning edge. “You’re wasting. your time and mine.”
Without giving me the courtesy of another glance, he turned away and pushed his cart. down the aisle, leaving me standing there.
My chest heaved slightly with frustration. “You’ll see,” I thought bitterly, watching him disappear around the corner. “You’ll all see.”
By the time I returned home, my mood was completely ruined. I kicked off my heels by the door, the maids rushed to my side as they took the groceries from my hand and went to the kitchen
“Dora, darling!”
My mother’s voice floated from the living room, light and expectant.
I masked my scowl and forced a bright smile as I stepped in to see my mom sitting elegantly on the sofa, a glossy magazine folded in her lap.
“Mama,” I greeted, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I didn’t know you were coming by today.”
My mother’s eyes sparkled with curiosity – and something sharper.
“I thought I’d surprise you,” she said. “I was just reading the society pages, and there were rumors about Adrian. Something about him getting ready to divorce that Olivia girl?”
My chest tightened, but my smile didn’t falter. I removed my blazer, draping it over the back of a chair with practiced grace.
“Well that’s exactly what’s happening,” I said smoothly. “And that’ll strengthen the bond between both of us”
My mother’s gaze softened, relief washing over her features. “Oh, really? That’s good news then.”
I sat beside her, carefully crossing my legs. “No need to worry, Mama,” I reassured. “In fact… I think Adrian is going to propose soon.”
—
I watched as my mother’s eyes went wide with delight, her hands clasping together as if in prayer. “That’s even more wonderful” She beamed, eyes shining. “Just imagine billionaire son–in–law. You’ll be the envy of every woman in this city.”
I forced a soft laugh, playing the role to perfection. “I know, Mama. It’s all coming together, just like we dreamed.”
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CHAPTER OUT
My mother took my hand, squeezing it tightly. “You deserve it, Dora, You’ve always. deserved the best.”
As my mother’s excitement bubbled on, I kept my smile in place, but inside, my mind churned with calculation.
“It’s not a reality yet,” I thought coldly. “But it will be. I’ll make sure of it.”
