Drowning Him In Regret

#15

17:03 Thu, 8 May

With that little scene behind us, the anniversary party went on as planned.

I stayed in the corner the whole time, terrified the ring would fall off.

Still, even tucked away like that, people kept coming over to chat. As Jude's wife, I had to keep smiling through it.

28%

Eventually, I got tired of making small talk with people I didn't even know and snuck into the restroom. I didn't expect to run right into a totally drunk

Perla,

Funny enough, Perla went to the same college as we did. But from the moment we started freshman year, she always had it out for me.

It wasn't until later, when my roommate brought it up, that I found out she'd had a thing for Wade too. I just beat her to the punch.

Back then, I was openly chasing after Wade-made quite the scene of it-and a lot of people were egging me on.

Perla was too proud to keep going after him, so she started picking fights with me instead.

I tried to act like I didn't see her, but Perla grabbed my arm. "Running from me, Ada? Feeling guilty?"

"You're drunk, Perla," I tried pulling my arm back, but I was so weak now, I couldn't even shake her off.

Perla held on tight, eyes full of disdain. "Oh, give me a break. You broke up with him and ran off with some rich guy. Why'd you come back?

"Gold digger. Clout-chaser, Manipulative witch. You already left-why'd you come back and marry him?

"You don't love him anymore. Go back to Kasenland with your rich boy! Why cling to Jude?"

Yeah, Perla was definitely wasted. No way she'd say all this if she were sober.

Part of me even wanted to record it-maybe I could use it to squeeze some hush money out of her.

While my mind wandered to nonsense, Dorian showed up and stepped in.

"Ms. Sidel, you've had enough. Let me call someone to help you lie down." Dorian gently tugged her hand off mine.

Perla stared at her own hand, confused, then leaned close to get a better look at him.

After a moment, Perla finally seemed to recognize him and shoved him hard. "Dorian, you kidding me right now? She left with a rich guy and went to Kasenland-you had to know that.

"What is it with you guys and this fake little sweetheart? She's a fraud!

"Oh, right, you left for Kasenland a year earlier. No wonder. Let me tell you—"

Dorian didn't let her finish. He waved over a server and had them escort her to the lounge to sleep it off.

I forced an awkward smile. "Sorry about that, Dorian. She's just drunk."

Dorian wiped his hands like he couldn't be bothered, then asked casually, "I remember you went to Kasenland with your mom, didn't you?"

My heart skipped a beat. I looked away. "I... I should head back."

Before I could go, Dorian grabbed my wrist gently. Not hard, like he was afraid he'd hurt me.

*I happened to be at the airport that day," Dorian said. "I saw you with an older woman. That was your mom, right?"

+15noveldrama

17:03 Thu, 8 May

Dorian looked right at me, and I swallowed hard, unsure what to say.

Everyone thought I'd run off to live it up with some rich guy. Only a few close friends knew the truth-that trip nearly cost me my life.

Just as I was freezing up, Vivian suddenly appeared, voice full of shock. "Ada, what's going on here? You guys can't-"

Dorian instinctively let go, and I rubbed my wrist awkwardly.

Vivian had changed into a simpler dress and was carrying two large shopping bags.

Vivian said, looking pissed, "If you're not willing to divorce Jude, then you shouldn't be messing around with another man.”

"I thought you were gone. What are you even doing back here?" I turned and washed my hands, then flicked them dry.

Vivian immediately took a step back. She took a deep breath, then looked pitifully at the bags in her hands.

Vivian said, "Ada, since Jude isn't going to divorce you and you two are acting so lovey-dovey in public, then I'm giving everything back.

"The dress and jewelry he gave me are way too expensive-I can't accept them."

28%1

Vivian stared at me with this fake innocent face, like she was all brave and innocent. But her hands didn't move. She wasn't actually trying to hand them

to me.

I didn't reach out either. Vivian clearly didn't mean to give them to me in the first place.

I said, "You give them to him yourself. He's out there in the hall."

With that, I turned to leave-and right then, Jude happened to walk over with a few company executives.

Suddenly, Vivian rushed in front of me, turned her back to Jude, and shouted, "Ada, since you're so bothered by me, then fine! Take it all!"

Then Vivian threw out her arms and let go. The bags hit the ground with a thud.

I swore I heard something break. Vivian looked at me with tears in her eyes, pretending to be all heartbroken.

Jude roared, "Ada! That set is worth a few million! How could you just drop it like that?"

Vivian looked absolutely smug, like she was loving every second of this.

I started gagging and rushed into the restroom. When I came back out, Jude was frowning down at the jewelry box. Inside, the bracelet was shattered.

Vivian was sobbing like her life depended on it. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. Ada only got upset and smashed the bracelet because of me.

"Don't be mad at her, Jude. Blame me-it's my fault. Don't let this ruin your big night."

AD