Chapter 11
“Hey, Rich Girl, finally decided to join me in the business world, huh?” Viola teased.
“Yeah,” I replied, keeping a straight face. “Can’t rely on men.”
“Come on, you were all about Rowan just a few days ago. Spill it. What happened?” She was practically glowing with curiosity.
I confessed with a sigh, “I put jam on his sheets.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. And now, we’re divorced.”
“So, what’s your plan now?”
“Going solo.”
Three days later, I got a call from Uncle Samuel.
“Sonia, come by tomorrow night, will you?” he said.
I was watering my lilies while holding the phone. “Uncle Samuel, what a surprise! What’s up?”
“You got divorced, right? The family can’t watch you struggle out there. We’re having a little gathering. We thought we could help find you someone new.”
“You’ve got your ears to the ground, I see.”
“Are you coming or not?”
“TIl be there.”
After hanging up, Viola looked at me, concerned. “Didn’t you cut ties with your parents? What do you care about their affairs?”
I shrugged. “Family ties run deep. Even if I stay away, they’ll find ways to meddle.”
That evening, dressed in a sleek black mermaid dress, I pushed open the doors of the Atkinson Mansion. The party was in full swing, glasses clinking and laughter echoing throughout the hall. As soon as I stepped inside, all eyes turned to me, whispers spreading like wildfire.
“Is that the Atkinson girl? Doesn’t seem like much.”
“Well, her parents don’t care. Who would?”
“What about setting your son up with her? It could save him years of hard work.”
“Get out of here.”
I wove through the crowd and caught a familiar voice.
“Long time no see”
turned toward the voice and saw Rowan, looking as charming as ever with a glass in hand, surrounded by admirers. News of his divorce had made him quite the eligible bachelor.
When people noticed me, the chatter stopped.
“Mr. Crawford, perhaps you should catch up-
Rowan glanced at me with a cold detachment and said, “No need. We’re nothing to each other now.”
I casually grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter and walked over. The crowd parted instinctively. wary of any drama.
Rowan’s gaze lingered on my lips, then traced down my neck, taking in the curve of my waist. For a moment, he
173
19:31
Chapter 11
forgot to speak.
Growing impatient, I splashed champagne on his suit and flashed a grin. “Just a friendly hello, Mr. Crawford. Hope that’s okay.”
He accepted my empty glass, his fingers brushing against mine with a lingering touch, smiling faintly. “Not at all.”
I huffed, dropping the glass and turning away to find fresh air on the terrace. But I wasn’t alone there.
Miles was leaning against the railing, his face partially hidden in shadow, revealing only the handsome half. “Sonia, it’s been a while.”
My eyelashes fluttered, and I clenched my hidden hand. “Yeah, it has.”
He chuckled softly. “Why so distant?”
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Why would you think that? I should be asking you where you’ve been. Blocking my calls, huh? Grown up, haven’t you?”
I gave him a playful shove, just like old times.
Suddenly, someone blocked the light from outside.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rowan casually leaning by the window, watching us with an indifferent gaze. Miles was cast into a deeper shadow. “I had surgery.”
“Surgery?”
He leaned in slightly, the dim light illuminating his face. The scars from the burn were almost gone. “Do I look the same as before?”
Staring at him, I eventually said, “Yeah, you do.”
“So, we…”
I took a step back, creating space between us. “I’m happy for you.”
The door suddenly opened, and Uncle Samuel walked in with a group of guests.
“Let me introduce you all,” he announced. “My niece, Sonia Atkinson, and beside her, our company’s new actor, Miles Brennan. They’ve known each other since they were kids. This gathering is also about helping them settle down.”
The room buzzed with polite chatter, and a sea of people surrounded us.
I frowned. “Uncle Samuel, I’m not ready.”
Miles wrapped an arm around my shoulder, grinning. ‘Don’t worry, Samuel. I’ll take good care of Sonia.”
i tried to pull away, but he held tight, making me uneasy. Thankfully, after a brief moment, he let go and seamlessly mingled with the guests.
My emotions were all over the place. Once Miles finished socializing, I asked, “When did you start working with Uncle Samuel?”
Miles casually adjusted his tie need the Atkinson family’s approval to marry you. I had other plans, but your divorce saved me much trouble”
I stared at him, suddenly feeling like he was a complete stranger
Miles smiled “What? Don’t you recognize me? Do I seem different from the Miles that you remember?”
I used to think Miles smule was bright and warm, and it seemed we belonged to the same world. But at that moment, I realized I was mistaken
2/3
Chapter 11
He stepped closer, and I retreated until my back hit the glass door.
“Sonia, this is who I am.” His smile in the dim light was almost sinister. “I should have made you pay, but I love you. If you come back, we can be like we were. You wouldn’t want to repeat the past and die alongside Rowan, right?”
A shiver ran through me, and a wave of fear engulfed me.
I wondered, ‘He knows?‘
Upon seeing the fear in my eyes and hearing my ragged breaths, Miles leaned over me, hand on the door handle, and pressed down. The door opened, letting in the lively strains of a violin.
The light flooded in, bright and clear.
Miles mouthed silently, “Go back and enjoy the party. We’ll talk later.”
I realized I was in a cold sweat as I rejoined the crowd.
