Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 197

“Why would you invite her?” Cecil asked, arms crossed as she blocked the doorway of the dressing room.

Pamella calmly adjusted the clasp of her bracelet, her reflection unwavering in the mirror. “Because we’re friends, the replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “And because it makes us look good. You know how people talk. Let it be.

Cecil

Cecil’s eyes narrowed. “Let it be?” she repeated, incredulous. “That woman is cunning like a fox. You think she just walked in here with no motive?”

Pamella turned to face her. “She’ll behave,” she said, not a trace of doubt in her voice. “I have people watching her.”

There was a beat of silence before Pamella added, “Where’s Calen?”

Cecil’s expression shifted. “I thought he was here somewhere.”

Their gazes met for a moment, tension lingering between them. Neither said what they were thinking, but the silence said enough.

Meanwhile, on the balcony of the event hall, Izzy stood alone with a glass of champagne. The night had fully fallen over San Francisco, cloaking the bridge in silver light. The outline of the Golden Gate Bridge glowed in the distance, its suspension lights blinking faintly through the fog. The air was cold, crisp against her skin.

Below, the bay reflected the shimmer of the city, boats bobbing gently in the dark water. The hum of conversation and clinking glasses from inside barely reached her out here. A few guests lingered nearby, whispering quietly, focused on their phones or their own views.

Izzy took a slow sip from her glass and exhaled. The moment should’ve felt powerful–arriving at this engagement party alone, standing tall in front of those who doubted her. But all she could think about was Liam.

While the world believed they were on a break, they had been in contact constantly. Just that afternoon, he had sent her a photo of his office desk–cluttered with takeout containers and blueprints. She could picture him hunched over his laptop, glasses sliding down his nose, completely immersed in work- while missing his dinner.

She missed him.

A part of her hated that she did. But she couldn’t deny it.

The glass in her hand dipped slightly as she stared out into the dark horizon, lost in thought.

Then, a presence shifted behind her.

She turned.

standing just a few steps away, hands

to

set her glass down on the ledge.

she said, her eyes on him

toward the bridge. “Still. I thought you’d

hair behind her ear. “Why? Because you thought

“Just didn’t think you’d want

admitted. “But here I am.”

stepped closer, just enough to stand beside her. They both looked out at the same view, the silence

look different,” he said eventually.

scoffed. “And you look

a small nod, almost like he accepted the jab.

his gaze. “You think

don’t know,” he said. “Are

her again. “So…. what are you doing here,

picked up her glass

to enjoy

engagement party,

invited me,” Izzy gave a

look affected,”

“Should I be?”

made him look at her,

a beat. “Not in the

back toward the bridge, letting the

+58

should be somewhere else, drinking, sad… wondering

“That same ex–boyfriend cheated on me with

him up for a moment. The

you feel anything? When you heard I was getting

expression unreadable. “What do you

he said. “Even for a second. Is there a part

studied him for a moment. “Feeling something would mean