Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Elspeth’s face turned pale instantly as if she had seen something shocking.

Sensing Elspeth’s grief, Emma chased after Callum and threw her hands around his neck. “Callum… I feel terrible. I’m so scared…”

He didn’t refuse her approach because his eyes were on Elspeth now, his heart thudding from the disappointed look in her eyes.

The hand holding her tightly also made him feel somewhat uncomfortable. It was as if he didn’t want her to associate herself with that man.

What is this? he wondered. I don’t have any feelings for her, so why do I feel this way?

Before Callum found an answer to his question, Emma had already started to squirm restlessly in his arms, bringing him back to his senses.

He lowered his head and whispered something to Emma. Elspeth couldn’t make out the words, but she could see his indistinct gentleness through her blurry eyes.

The fact that he no longer loved her made her sadder than anything, but now that he had fallen in love with someone else, she couldn’t do anything about it.

Sucking in a deep breath, she smilingly told Gilbert, “It’s okay. I’m fine now.”

“Sure, you are. You wouldn’t be if I came a second too late.” Gilbert was filled with indignation when he saw her lingering and hurt gaze as she looked at Callum.

Sighing, she tugged on the sleeve of his shirt and mumbled, “Gilbert? I don’t feel so good. Please take me away from here.”

“Where do you want to go?”

Gilbert refused to believe that Elspeth would go back to the Winthrop Residence as though nothing had happened.

She shot a glance at him and forced a smile. “Anywhere but the Winthrop Residence.”

Hearing that, he raised his chin and commented, “I’m glad you know what’s good for you.”

Right after he said that, he pulled the shell-shocked Elspeth out of the banquet hall.

Callum was watching their retreating figures when his grip on Emma gradually tightened.

the other hand, was elated as

the thought of Callum losing his affection for Elspeth was enough to make Emma happy. But for him to still remember what happened between him and Emma before and to have lingering feelings for

“Callum, y-you’re hurting me.”

her

stand still, Emma almost fell to the ground. She only found her footing after she

“Callum…”

would no longer be so merciless to a lady like her, but to her surprise, he had now shifted his gaze to Elspeth. Seeing this, Emma felt her chest tighten and she almost

else, yes? I’ll be leaving, then. I have something to attend

at her face from the corner of his eye before he turned around and left

the resurgence of an old romance

angry and agitated, Emma put all the blame on

would have made Callum fall in love with her again if

when she walked out of the hall, but as soon as she got out, her legs went limp and she almost fell to her knees on the

Gilbert was there to support

at the same time. Even if he doesn’t like you because he was hurt, you can’t keep

beat her up when she saw how distracted

couldn’t possibly do that. He could only slowly coax her and break

stubborn for her own good. Gilbert had to break through her psychological defenses one by one for her to look

when she raised her head again, there

and he only let out a small

I

mind losing this place where

take you with me right this instant. Where do you feel like going? Waterside? Blaydal? Or

would actually forget Callum,

thought for a brief moment before she answered, “Let’s go to

Blaydal. She

seen through her thoughts, but he didn’t expose her.

was at the airport’s exit at 3.00PM

that all of this happened

as