My parents and I stayed silent in our seats and waited for our moment. It wasn’t until the waiter walked up to me and told me that the dishes had been served that everyone else at the table remembered us.
Simon looked around the private club. The club was located in the city center. The hallways were decorated with a priceless, personal art collection, and the patrons were people of influence. Even the most understated crystal chandelier here came with a six-figure price tag.
He turned his gaze to me and sneered, “I take it that you’re the host of this family gathering, Olivia. I didn’t think you could afford even a slice of cake here with your measly paycheck. What, did you get a fat bribe at the hospital and are now trying to show off to the family?”
I rolled my eyes and ignored Simon. I took my card and footed the bill at the counter. On my way to the counter, I got a call from Aaron. He told me that he would be late and wanted me to play nice with my family until he arrived.
I smiled and talked to him for a while longer before returning to the lounge. However, I had only just reached the door of the lounge when Simon accosted me.
He eyed me contemptuously from head to toe before tossing a wad of cash at my feet. “It won’t do you any good to burden yourself for the sake of pride. Take the money and pay the bill. Think of it as a kind gesture from an old friend.”
I nudged the money toward him and drawled, “I don’t need the money, and this isn’t enough to—”
“Oh, cut the crap, will you? I know how much you make at the hospital. When we divorced, I told you to quit your job. It’s hard labor at a cheap cost. Is there any point to it?”
I rolled my eyes at him in exasperation.
Simon’s online image as a man who held art above everything else crumbled at that moment. He was only after money. My family knew this, yet none of them had the nerve or the standing to point out the truth.
I didn’t want to waste my breath on Simon, so I made to brush past him into the lounge.
I had only taken two steps when I ran into Yasmin. She linked arms with Simon and said in a high-pitched voice, “Honey, would you mind showing some of your art to the family?”
Simon pinched her cheek affectionately and agreed.
I was about to open the lounge door when Yasmin stopped me. “Olive, I hope you’ve given up any foolish thoughts you have about Simon. He’s my husband now and your cousin-in-law, for that matter.
