The Wrong Woman

"Are you not interested in him?" Josie asked.

"We're not in the kind of relationship you're imagining," Candice explained.

Josie simply smiled and remained silent.

After entering the villa, she handed the basket of strawberries to the maid before settling on the couch with Candice. While Candice sat upright with formal poise, Josie lounged with ease as if she owned the place.

"My dad and Mr. Morrison have been close friends for years. I practically grew up here, running around as a kid," Josie said casually.

Candice looked puzzled. "With Uncle Nathan and Aunt Chubs so often away, how did you manage to visit?"

"Leo brought me here," Josie explained with a hint of pride. "He always tried to escape his parents' strict rules. He'd stay here for a few days whenever he felt suffocated at home."

She pointed at one of the rooms on the upper floor and added, "See that room up there? That's our secret hideout."

Candice followed the direction where Josie pointed. Any adult would immediately grasp the implication of a room being called a secret hideout.

Lowering her head, Candice forced a smile through her conflicting feelings of envy and discomfort. "So, you and Leo have been close since childhood," she commented, trying to sound indifferent.

Just then, Josie turned and noticed Elio was coming in. Seizing the moment, she said, "Isn't it similar to you and Mervyn? Your fathers were both comrades and colleagues. You practically grew up side by side with him, like childhood sweethearts."

Candice nodded in agreement.

for you, too," Josie

Josie's words, puzzled. Why had Josie suddenly mentioned that?

before turning to ascend the stairs. All he wanted to do was to retreat to his room, shower, and change

Elio's footsteps echoed

Candice turned to find

Just

a plate of

е

strawberries. She set

on the coffee

try one," Josie urged, offering her a large strawberry.

smile, Candice said, "Sure, thank

rose and remarked, "Feel free to help yourself.

strawberry. Her gaze followed Josie as she headed

turned inexplicably bitter. She lost her appetite and sank back into the

Her heart throbbed with pain, each wave more intense

uncertain

she was waiting