Chapter 5
Shirley stood frozen, her heart clenched by an invisible fist until each breath became a ragged gasp.
Pressing a hand to her chest, she thought: This must be the lingering warmth from loving him. Once that warmth faded, nothing would remain.
Timothy and Patricia kissed for three full minutes before turning away.
Only when their figures vanished completely did Shirley emerge from the shadows.
She drew a deep breath, smoothed her gown, and headed back to the ballroom for her purse. But upon entering, Patricia seized her wrist.
“Shirley, if you liked the ring Timothy gave me, you could have just asked. Why steal it?”
Shirley stood frozen.
“What do you mean stealing? What are you talking about?”
“Stop pretending!” Patricia’s eyes were red–rimmed.
“I just went to the restroom, and my ring vanished! The waiter said you were the only one near my purse!”
The Campbells rushed over at the commotion. Without a word, Shirley’s father slapped her across the face.
“Shirley, can’t you go one day without causing trouble?!”
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Her cheek stung fiercely. Before she could react, Mrs. Campbell shrieked, “Someone! Search her!”
Several waiters immediately surrounded Shirley, roughly yanking at her gown.
Shirley struggled desperately.
“I didn’t steal it! Let me go!”
Riiip-
The sound of tearing fabric echoed. Shirley’s bare shoulders were suddenly exposed to the room, met by gasps and snickers from the onlookers.
“Found it!”
A waiter pulled the jadeite Ring from her purse.
“It was with her after all!”
Patricia took the ring, tears streaming down her face.
“Sis, what do you have to say for yourself now?”
Shirley trembled all over, just opening her mouth when the crowd suddenly parted—
Steady footsteps echoed closer.
She looked up to see Timothy approaching step by step, his polished leather shoes clicking against the marble floor. Each step felt like stepping on Shirley’s heart.
“What was the point of stealing it?” His voice was soft, yet it silenced
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the entire banquet hall.
“You do know I never considered you my wife?”
Shirley lifted her gaze, meeting his icy stare.
“Shirley, some things don’t belong to you,” he spoke with thin lips, each word like a poisoned blade, “and they never will.”
Shirley suddenly laughed.
This smile made Timothy’s brows furrow almost imperceptibly.
He had seen her cry, seen her rage, seen her hysterical, but never seen her smile like this. Like relief, yet like mockery.
“I didn’t steal.” Her voice was soft, yet crystal clear.
–
The banquet hall’s chandelier cast fragmented light in her eyes – like tears, or like stars.
“And what’s more-‘
She took a deep breath, enunciating each word deliberately.
“I don’t like you anymore!”
As her words fell, the entire room plunged into dead silence.
Everyone widened their eyes, unable to believe their ears.
That Shirley who had been obsessed with Timothy was now saying she didn’t like him?
All eyes fixed on Shirley, faces etched with shock.
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Only Timothy stood before her, immaculate suit and icy demeanor, not a ripple of emotion in his eyes.
“How many times have you played this hard–to–get game?”
His deep voice dripped with undisguised mockery.
“I told you, no tantrum of yours will ever work.‘
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He leaned in slightly, thin lips parting as each deliberate word aimed to crush the last shred of her dignity—
“I don’t like you. Period.”
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