Chapter 223
“Excuse me, does Miss Rivers live here?”
The woman who walked in was a stranger to Lana.
But Niamh recognized her immediately.
“Ms. Fraser…”
Niamh hadn’t expected Susy to pay her a visit.
Of course, she wasn’t naïve enough to think Susy had brought a fruit basket just to make friends.
Susy politely asked if she could speak to Niamh alone, and Preston Winslow, taking the hint, stepped out.
Lana, however, was reluctant to leave.
By now, Niamh had introduced her–this was Susy, Julian’s fiancée.
Lana didn’t believe for a second that Susy didn’t know about Julian’s old feelings for Niamh.
For all she knew, Julian might still be harboring them.
The idea of leaving Niamh alone with Susy left Lana uneasy.
“It’s alright, Lana. Would you mind stepping out for a bit? Could you pick up some strawberries for me?”
Seeing that Niamh insisted, Lana finally relented and left the room.
Now, only Niamh and Susy remained in the hospital room.
Autumn had arrived, and the weather was turning chilly. The window was open, letting in a sharp breath of cold air that seemed to swirl between them.
“Miss Rivers, I hope you don’t mind me being blunt. As Julian’s fiancée, I think I have the right to understand the women around him…”
Susy’s voice was gentle and sincere, her manner gracious yet direct.
“May I ask, what exactly is your relationship with Julian?”
“We’re friends,” Niamh answered without hesitation.
“Just friends?”
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“Just friends.”
Niamh gave a small nod.
Julian had never confessed any feelings to her; their relationship had always stopped at friendship.
Besides, Julian’s mother had once offered her money, practically paying for peace of mind, asking her to cut ties with Julian.
She’d taken the money–and kept her promise.
These days, calling Julian a friend was generous. Estranged friends was probably
more accurate.
But Niamh saw no reason to share all that with Susy.
The more she said, the more Susy might overthink things, and the more it might affect Susy’s relationship with Julian.
Susy stared at Niamh, searching her face for any sign of deceit.
Niamh was strikingly beautiful, the kind of beauty that could outshine a movie star. Her large dark eyes seemed almost expressive, but she wasn’t the type whose heart was easily read.
Susy didn’t really believe Niamh was trying to come between her and Julian, but that didn’t mean she took Niamh’s words at face value.
If Niamh and Julian were just ordinary friends, why had Julian suddenly refused to take their scheduled engagement photos and driven three hours straight to the hospital?
Sure, Niamh’s car accident was serious–any normal friend might have come to visit.
But Julian had been in the middle of taking engagement photos with her. He’d left without so much as a word.
Just thinking about it made Susy’s blood boil.
Thankfully, the Neville family valued her highly. Not long after Julian rushed to the hospital, his parents summoned him home, made him apologize to her in person, and even gifted her a Hermès limited edition, classic orange calfskin
handbag–this season’s couture, no less.
Susy would never throw a tantrum at Julian.
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But that didn’t mean she was letting this go.
“Miss Rivers, since you’re Julian’s friend, that makes you my friend as well… Here-” As she spoke, Susy reached into her Hermès bag and pulled out an envelope.
“I don’t have your number, so I couldn’t send you a digital invitation. Honestly, a paper one feels more sincere anyway.”
Niamh accepted the envelope from Susy, opened it, and pulled out its contents.
It was a wedding invitation.
The card was a subtle moonlight white with embossed gold letters, trimmed with delicate pink lace, and flecked with shimmering mica in the fibers.
Even the invitation alone spoke volumes about the illustrious families of the bride and groom.
