The Wrong Woman

Josie looked somewhat taken aback. "Candice, you're here too?"

Elio asked, "Is there something you need to talk to me about?"

Josie forced a smile. "I wanted to discuss our wedding next month. Mrs. Hoffis has been pressuring me, and I had no idea what to do. I thought we could talk it over."

Candice felt a wave of anxiety washing over her, and she nervously clenched her fists.

Turning to Candice, Josie smiled and asked, "Candice, I wish to talk to Leo for a moment. Could you...?"

Candice quickly responded, "I have something to attend to. You two talk, I'll head out."

Just as she finished her words and was about to leave, Elio grabbed her wrist. "You don't need to go. Stay and listen."

Candice was stunned.

Josie's face darkened, and she said in embarrassment, "Leo, this isn't appropriate. This is between the two of us. Candice is an outsider."

Elio replied solemnly, "She's not an outsider. She's my wife."

words. Josie was even more

overwhelmed. Had she just

asked, "Are you... are

still felt like she was

on our marriage

smile was strained, but

couch," Elio said, leading

came over today and insisted

asked, "What's your

Candice and said helplessly, "What can I do? I've been your

quickly looked at Candice and whispered, "Our relationship was

still dazed, nodded quickly, feeling

forced a stiff smile, trying to remain calm, and teased, "Leo, seriously? You've just confirmed your relationship

awkwardly, finding the situation surreal. Here she was, listening to Elio and

turned to Josie and

9

decision back then put you in this awkward situation will compensate you financially, but I won't attend

worry. "What about my parents? They'll become the laughingstock of