Chapter 3

3

“Leila, how are things going between you and Chase? When do we get to celebrate your wedding?”

Hearing this, Leila sighed with a touch of melancholy in her voice.

“Liam, please don't say that. Chase is still married. He and I are just…”

Chase and these buddies of his had grown up together, and they had always treated Leila like a princess.

Hearing her sigh, the guys chimed in to comfort her.

“Don't be sad, Leila. They say a man's heart is wherever his money goes!”

“Zoe is still stuck in that cheap rental, while Chase bought you a multimillion-dollar villa.”

“He has always loved you. Zoe only got the title of his wife because she took advantage of you going abroad!”

The mocking laughter grew louder inside the living room.

That was when I realized all of Chase's close friends knew he had established a second home with Leila.

I had helped these people countless times over the years, and they always greeted me warmly as Chase's wife to my face.

I never imagined that behind my back, they viewed me as nothing more than a desperate woman who stole someone else's spot.

Just then, Chase stepped out of the hallway restroom and saw me standing frozen at the doorway.

He walked over and asked, “Why are you just standing there? Come on in.”

The laughter in the living room came to an abrupt halt at his voice.

The group turned around, looking at me with visible guilt on their faces.

Acting as if I hadn't heard a thing, I walked straight inside.

Liam was the first to recover, greeting me with an awkward smile. “Hey, you made it.”

I found an empty chair and sat down, while Chase casually took the seat right next to Leila.

I glanced at the lavish table loaded with spicy barbecue and rich hot pot, pausing for a second.

Hoping to ease the tension, Liam raised his glass to propose a toast to everyone.

Instead of picking up a beer, I poured myself a glass of apple juice.

Chase immediately assumed I was throwing a tantrum and glared at me coldly.

“Zoe, what are you doing?”

“It's not like you can't drink. Don't be a buzzkill at Liam's housewarming party!”

The other men around the table shot judgmental looks my way.

I ignored Chase, keeping a polite, tight smile as I addressed Liam.

“My stomach hasn't been well, so I can't have alcohol. I'll toast to your new home with juice.”

I had wrecked my digestive system by heavily drinking with corporate clients to secure deals for Chase's startup, which led to internal bleeding and forced me to stay home.

Hearing my reminder, Chase finally recalled what had happened, his expression softening as his tone lowered.

“Fine, drink your juice. I'll drink that glass of alcohol for you.”

The others seemed to remember as well, awkwardness flashing across their faces.

Liam quickly tried to smooth things over. “It's totally fine! Let's all eat.”

However, with my severe stomach condition, I couldn't handle spicy or heavy foods either.

Meanwhile, Leila loved spicy food and was currently whining for Chase to put seasoned beef onto her plate.

Seeing that I hadn't touched my food, Leila asked with wide, innocent eyes.

“Zoe, is the food not to your liking?”

“Why haven't you eaten a single bite?”

I kept my head down, sipping my juice, and answered flatly.

“My stomach is upset. I can't eat spicy food.”

Hearing me mention my stomach issues again, Chase assumed I was doing it on purpose to cause a scene.

His temper flared instantly, his face darkening with anger.

“Zoe, can you stop ruining the mood for everyone?”

“Taking a couple of bites won't kill you! Why are you acting so dramatic?”

“If my presence ruins your fun, I'll just leave,” I replied calmly.

Before Chase could snap back, Leila jumped up from her chair and grabbed my arm.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she began to sob. “I'm so sorry, Zoe. It's all my fault.”

“I shouldn't have asked. Tell me what you want to eat, and I'll go buy it for you right now.”

The moment she started crying, Chase's friends couldn't hold back anymore.

“Zoe, that's enough! Don't take your bad mood out on Leila!”

Liam sneered sarcastically, “I guess my modest new home isn't fancy enough for someone as high and mighty as you.”

“I'm sorry I didn't prepare a five-star gourmet feast for you. My mistake.”

I pulled my arm back with force, shaking off Leila's grip as I turned toward the door.

Leila lost her balance, stumbled backward, and hit her knee against the sharp corner of the table, leaving a red bruise.

Chase rushed over immediately, checking her leg with deep worry in his eyes.

Behind me, his voice shook with pure fury. “Zoe, you stop right there!”

“If you walk out that door tonight, don't you ever come back home!”

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