The Wrong Woman

Candice felt her hands sweating from nervousness as soon as the question was asked. She clenched her fists and lowered her head. She couldn't meet Elio's gaze, yet her ears remained sharply attuned to his voice.

After stealing a glance at Candice, Elio thought for a moment before saying, "Josie isn't my girlfriend."

"What?" Everyone fell into stunned silence.

Candice looked up, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Elio in disbelief. Her reaction was so over the top that Elio almost laughed. He found her astonishment adorable and struggled to keep a straight face.

With a frown, Daniel asked, "What's the matter?" Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Elio turned to Daniel and explained with a polite tone, "My mom was pressuring me to find a girlfriend back then. Out of desperation, I convinced my best friend to pose as one. We kept up the act for so long that everyone believed we were actually together."

"Why did you stop pretending?"

"My mom found out."

"That explains it."

agape in surprise. An unexpected sense of joy flooded her. The dilemma that had troubled her was

with Elio hadn't compromised her values. And the

Jasper called out as he entered

him. Turning to the group, Jasper said, "Grandma Michaela is really something else. She's downright terrifying. I even have nightmares about her. Poor Uncle Elio had to grow up under her

scolded him, "Jasper,

just being honest. Dad told me Mom

made her studies manageable, and she even

could continue,

conversation. "You know, I stayed with her dur

at 5:30 am. had exactly 15

even pick what I wanted to eat Right

straight into lessons.

goodness, it was non-stop studying, reading, and writing. Lunch and dinner were half an hour each. I didn't get to shower and wind

to contain her disbelief, Sienna laughed.

two weeks were a total nightmare," Jasper

that year. Your grades improved dramatically, jumping over 30 spots to rank you within the top

wasn't worth