Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 13

“An emergency?” Amalia raised an eyebrow as she handed Izzy glass of water. “In the middle of the night? Izzy, I Why would he call you in the middle of the might knowing you are on a break? Can’t he find someone to help him out? In the past few months, you’ve been flying in and out of the country for his business. Why don’t you take a break for a week or two? Look at you losing all that weight because of your job. If your mother knew that-

Irry took the glass and nodded quietly, choosing to ignore the rest of her aunt’s words. She had heard of these words for more than a thousand times and if she didn’t know what she knew now, she might have believed her aunt’s concern was

In the end. Amalia was exactly like her daughter. Two faceil

Still, she wondered how could someone like her aunt lie with a straight face? Somehow this made her wonder what else her aunt was lying about, “I just came back to get my work laptop and some clothes. I’ll be gone for a few days.”

“That her aunt cleared her throat. “For how many days exactly? You do know that your birthday is coming, right? I already started planning things.”

“Actually, you don’t have to plan anything for my birthday,” Izzy said.

In the past, her aunt had always organized Izzy’s birthday, yet everything–from the cake and decorations to the lighting- was tailored to Monica’s tastes. Even Monica’s gown would outshine hers.

But Izzy hadn’t cared about those details before. Why would she? Her aunt had taken her in after her parents died–a debt she once believed she could never repay.

Now, Izzy sneered inwardly.

“How could you say something like that! It’s going to be the dayou turn twenty–six. I need you with me to go shopping for gowns and other things. You should clear your schedule for these things.”

“Gown shopping?” Izzy asked. The last time her aunt took her gown shopping had been a disaster. Amalia had picked out a premade gown that was two sizes too big for Izzy, while arranging for a tailor to customize a dress just for Monica. “You’re planning to host a huge event?”

“Of course! What are you even thinking? Did you know that your mother gave birth to you when she was twenty–six?

the last time she had a birthday that was about her. She wondered what her aunt was trying to pull off this time. “Alright,” she said, while placing the glass on the counter. She knew that once Amalia starts talking about Izzy’s late mother, she would never stop. This conversation

working. You should probably call the

but stopped when her aunt called

dinner tonight, It sounds

fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. She

didn’t go through, poor thing. Imagine how she must’ve felt… surrounded by her friends, everyone looking to her to handle

Chapter 13

she felt her patience being stretched thin. “I’m sure it was unexpected,”

of course—never has been, bless her–but she wanted to do something special. I think it really got to her when she realized she’d have to dip into her savings. She’s worked so hard to set that money aside, and suddenly pooft

far from amused. Monica had always been so proud of her “savings“-money she’d managed to set aside after constantly mooching off

to be a special occasion, not a crisis. I know Monica doesn’t say it often, but she really does look up to you, Izzy. You’ve always been the stable one, the dependable one. This child has been trying so hard to follow in

was working overtime now,

softening even further, “I think it would mean the world to her if you could help cover the cost. You know, just this once. It’s only eight thousand dollars, and

fine. She’s always been resourceful in her own way. She managed to cover it tonight,

for

case her burden a little. Eight thousand isn’t easy someone like her to come by. But if you’re stretched thin right now. I completely

I wasn’t told I’d be responsible for the bill. Was

rose. “What do you mean?”

Izzy replied. “Especially after

asked, her

“She’d hinted about a Cartier bangle, so

gleaming with interest. Just as Izzy expected, her aunt’s attention veered to the luxurious detail. Amalia had always been drawn to jewelry and designer goods, often using any extra funds to indulge herself under the guise of “cheering up.” Lzzy watched the shift with