Chapter 4%
Leo barely acknowledged my presence, his cold shoulder a clear sign that he was still imitated with me for choosing work over attending his precious Sara’s birthday party with him.l
was almost laughable–how he could be angry at me when he was the one who had made me feel so unwanted all along.I
But of course, Sara had to play her role.
“Leo, Lucy didn’t come because she had work. You should understand her,” she said with a perfectly practiced tone of sympathy, as if she truly cared about our relationship.
Then she turned to me with that sweet smile. Luckily, it turns out she’s working here, taking pictures for my event. So how about you two take a picture together, just like the other guests?”
My fingers tightened around my camera
She was putting on a show pretending to bring us closer, but I knew what she was really doing. She wanted to humiliate me
At that moment, I stood there in my plain t–shirt and jeans, my practical outfit making it painfully obvious that I did not belong among the glittering guests.
Meanwhile, Sara was radiant in her designer dress, perfectly styled, as if she were a princess hosting her grand ball. Leo, in his sharp suit, looked every bit the man meant to stand beside her!
Before I could refuse, Sara reached for my camera with a giggle.X
“Come on, just one picture, she insisted.?
I stepped next to Leo stiffly, and the moment Sara raised the camera, the whispers began.
“Leo must be embarrassed to be dating Lucy.
“Of course, he prefers Sara “3
“Did you see the Bali post yesterday? Damn, he kissed her so passionately. 7
“Well, I’d do the same if I had a girl as beautiful and sexy as Sara”
Soft laughter rippled through the crowd, their cruel words like tiny needles piercing into my skin.
Leo said nothing. Not a single word in my defense.
e center of
I reached forward and took my camera back from Sara, my expression unreadable. “It’s your event, Sara. You should be the
attention.
“Let me know if you need anything else for me to shoot.” My voice was calm, devoid of any emotion.
Sara tilted her head slightly as if trying to read me, but before she could say anything, the grand doors of the venue opened
Leo’s parents had arrived.
They walked in with effortless grace, immediately heading toward Sara’s parents, greeting them warmly like old friends
Sara’s eyes gleamed.
She turned to me, smiling sweetly. “Then take a picture of me and Leo with our parents, okay?
Leo did not even hesitate he stepped beside Sara, wrapping an arm around her waist like it was second nature. Their parents stood beside them, all of them looking like the perfect family
I lifted my camera.
Through the lens, I saw everything–the way Sara leaned into Leo, the way he allowed it, the way their parents beamed approved of their relationship.
des if they
they fully
And then I realized… they had always been like that since then. While I was the outsider
Afterward, Sara sauntered over to me and pulled out a proof of half payment on her mobile phone with a knowing smile.
“Anyway, the full payment will be made according to the agreement after I see the results of the photos,” she said smoothly, her v light, but there was something sharp beneath it.
volca
Then, as if she had just remembered something, she added, “Oh yeah, initially, I only hired you until the main event was over, but since Leo’s parents arrived, we’re having another celebration. Stay a little longer, okay?”
“Don’t worry, I will add bonus payment for it.”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement, as if she knew something I did not.
I simply nodded and turned my focus back to my camera
But because I kept following Sara to capture candid shots, I inevitably overheard their parents‘ conversation.
And that was when I felt my heart shatter,
that Sa
They had already discussed Leo and Sara’s marriage. Not only that, but they confidently announced that Sara’s birthday party became their engagement day.
My grip on the camera tightened, my hands shaking slightly as I clicked the shutter. I forced myself to remain professional, but inside, everything was crumbling.
While the crowd erupted in cheers. Some guests clapped excitedly, while others shouted with glee. “Kiss! Kiss!”
I tumed toward the voice and recognized one of Leo and Sara’s friends from their Bali trip. The same people who had mocked me behind my back, who had celebrated Sara as if she was already Leo’s wife.
12.19 PM
Sara, ever the perfect actress, blushed and laughed lightly. “Guys, don’t be like that. Our parents are here.”
But Leo, his arm still wrapped around her waist, leaned in closer. His voice was teasing as he said, “Why not babe?“%
The guests cheered louder, some covering their eyes playfully, while others banged their glasses on the table in encouragement. Their parents just laughed, delighted by how perfect their children were together.X
And then, it happened
Sara, with a shy giggle, leaned in and in front of everyone, Leo kissed Sara. Not a quick peck, not something that could be dismissed as friendly. But deep, lingering, intimate.
And everyone cheered.
To congratulate them, everyone raised their wine glass for a toast, so did 1.8
I walked over to the towering pyramid of wine glasses stacked on the table. But instead of taking one from the top like everyone else I reached for one in the middle
The moment I pulled it out, the entire structure collapsed.
Glass shattered against the floor, shards scattering in every direction. Gasps rippled through the crowd.!!
I did not flinch. I simply raised my glass high and, with a small, knowing smile, said, “Congratulations. Two shameless people, what a perfect match!”
Then, without hesitation, I d
I downed the entire drink in one gulp, turned on my heel, and walked out of the event.
At home. Lea exploded.
“What the hell was that, Lucy?” he shouted, his face red with fury. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing you were at that party? You humiliated me in front of many people‘
I laughed coldly. “Oh? But kissing your so–called childhood friend in front of me wasn’t embarrassing, right?”
Leo exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair. “It was an act, Lucy! Our parents are close, and they do business together We had to put on a show for them.2
Iscoffed. “An act?” I folded my arms, tilting my head at him. “Then explain something to me, Leo ”
His law tightened, “What?”
I met his eyes, my voice sharp. “Then why did you lie about the Bali trip?”
“You want to bring
