Chapter 25
Calista didn’t glance toward Ophelia standing at the door, but she could feel the latter’s) provocative gaze on her.
At the entryway, Ophelia said, “Hold on. Your tie’s crooked. Let me fix it.”
She lifted her hand and stood on her toes, reaching up to straighten Lucien’s tie. “There. All set. Let’s go.”
Lucien coldly replied, “Okay.”
Ophelia turned her gaze toward Calista, who stood off to the side.
Calista acted as if she hadn’t seen anything, ignoring it all as she walked into the kitchen and dumped the pancakes straight into the
trash.
She didn’t want to look at them–the perfectly matched pair who seemed to belong together.
Ophelia and Lucien had an effortless chemistry. To any observer, Calista would seem like the outsider while Ophelia appeared to be the mistress of the Juniville estate.
After what happened last night, and with Ophelia around, no one mentioned the incident. It was as if it had never happened.
Calista kept washing the dishes with her back to the door, listening as the car outside started and drove away. She stared blankly at the plate in her hands, lost in thought, scrubbing it over and over until her fingertips turned pale and wrinkled from the water.
Ophelia drove Lucien’s car and stopped at a red light. “I’m sorry about last night. I drank too much. Calista didn’t give you a hard time, did she? If she keeps bothering you, I can talk to her tonight. We-”
Lucien, who had been resting with his eyes closed, cut her off before she could finish speaking. “Don’t come over again.”
The traffic light had already turned green. Ophelia tightened her grip on the steering wheel, and only when the car behind them started honking did she finally step on the gas.
“I’m not divorced yet, so mind your boundaries,” Lucien said.
Ophelia quietly pressed her lips together. She didn’t respond, nor did she agree.
Lucien wasn’t returning home that night. Calista headed to her room and took out the baby clothes she had bought before. She ran her fingers over them again and again.
There was a bear–themed outfit for a boy and a pink dress for a girl. Her baby had shown up in her dream wearing that very same dress.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “In your next life, find parents who will love you and live a happy life,” she said.
She hugged the dress tightly to her chest, and her muffled sobs filled the room. When exhaustion finally set in, she fell asleep with the
dress still in her arms.
When she opened her eyes again, it was already 1:00 pm.
She changed into a blue maxi dress, picked up a tote bag, and walked a short distance to the nearby supermarket. After being away for days, the fridge was empty and needed restocking.
Calista walked to the produce section, and when she was about to pick up a tomato, another hand with rolled–up sleeves reached for
one too.
She glanced at the man standing next to her. He wore a light blue sweater and black pants. There was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t recall where she had seen him before.
She kindly pointed out, “That one’s damaged. There’s a crack in the skin. You should grab another.”
There was a lazy ease in Alexander’s expression, as if he’d just woken up. He scratched the back of his neck and nodded. “It’s been a while since I did my own grocery run. Thanks for the heads–up.”
“You’re welcome.”
Calista tilted her head and studied him for a moment. “Have we met before?”
Alexander finally realized who she was. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he said, “Maybe.”
He then asked, “You’re shopping alone, too? Where’s your husband?”
Calista lowered her gaze. Alexander picked up on the heaviness in her mood and figured that he’d probably asked the wrong question.
“He’s at work,” she answered quietly.
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Alexander gave a slight nod.
They didn’t say much more. Calista soon pushed her cart away toward the spices aisle.
Alexander watched her slender figure as she walked away, deep in thought. He didn’t look away until she disappeared around the
corner.
They had met before, and not just once. Then it hit him. She was Calista. He remembered her name.
Just then, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he answered the call. “Ms. Reese, what’s up?”
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“What ‘Ms. Reese‘? I’m your mother! You brat, it’s been so long, and you haven’t even called me once. I’m back today, and I’m taking you to the Fenwick estate for dinner. I’ll also introduce you to a young woman.
“You actually know her. Remember that boy you used to fight with when you were young? What’s his name again? The guy with the cold expression. It’s his sister. You’re not getting any younger, and it’s about time you start dating. This is a good opportunity.”
Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “I’m buried in work at the hospital. I really don’t have time for a relationship. That’s it. I’m hanging up.”
