Fickle Hearts, Shifting Ties

The voice that rang out was arrogant and willful.Anya turned around,momentarily stunned.

Standing in the doorway was a woman with delicate,alluring features and a petite figure.The moment she stepped inside,the air was instantly filled with a familiar scent.It was the same perfume that clung to Chris’s suit.

The moment Anya saw that face,her heart sank and a surge of uncontrollable anger threatened to consume her.

Because this was the woman Chris had slept with that night when he was drunk.

Back then,the woman had been hidden beneath the covers,so Anya could not see her face.However,after Chris had fallen asleep,she came to Anya,smirking,her fingers grazing her own belly as she spoke with quiet arrogance.

"He loves me now.Who knows?I might even be carrying his child.If you’re smart,you’ll step aside."

After Anya saw the woman appear,Chris only stood there,staring at the woman with a dazed expression.And in that moment,Anya realized.

That night,he had claimed he was set up.That it was a mistake.Yet,here they were,hooking up behind her back.

Her blood boiled.She fixed him with an icy stare,forcing each word out through clenched teeth.“Ah!So,this is the relative you were talking about.”

Chris snapped out of his stupor.A flicker of panic crossed his face.He opened his mouth as if to explain,but before he could get a single word out,the woman laughed.

"Miss Morrison,don’t misunderstand.I was only joking.I truly envy you for having such a talented boyfriend!"

At that,Chris’s tense expression softened.He quickly stepped in,his voice calm as he introduced her."Anya,this is Miss Avery,a distant relative from my mother’s side."

Carmen smiled,her gaze filled with feigned innocence."It’s just a dress,Miss Morrison.Surely you’re not so petty as to make a fuss over something like this?"

At those words,Chris’s face darkened and he stared at Carmen with a deadly look."Miss Avery,mind your words."

Carmen merely curled her lips into a smirk before surrendering and said,"All right,all right.Would it make you happy if I returned the dress to you?"

Anya watched their exchange.Even though she had already known the truth,seeing it unfold before her eyes still sent an unbearable chill through her veins.The disappointment in Chris had long since numbed her.

Anya’s lips curled slightly,but before she could even utter the word"No need,"Chris had already cut in.

"Anya,I’ll design something exclusively for you in the future.This dress…it’s just not suitable for you."

The words caught in her throat.

She saw the way he tensed as if afraid she might take the dress away.The way Carmen smirked,eyes gleaming with silent triumph.And in that moment,Anya’s heart turned to ice.

Clenching her fists,she looked at them both,her voice crisp and indifferent."Don't worry.I’m not so poor that I need to steal someone else’s dress."

"Anya,that’s not what I meant.It’s just that the size isn’t right for you,so…"

Anya exhaled sharply and suddenly realized that agreeing to go out with him today was a big mistake.Her tone was cold as she said,"You don’t need to explain anything to me."

Chris stiffened at her cold reaction.He had no idea why her reaction unsettled him since Anya should not know about Carmen Avery.

Before he could say anything,Carmen’s voice cut through the tension."Miss Morrison,my birthday is in a few days.My boyfriend booked a hotel to celebrate.You’re welcome to attend as a guest."

The date she mentioned was the same day Anya was scheduled to meet the Harrington Family.She was about to refuse when Carmen leaned in,flashing a bright smile.

"Miss Morrison wouldn’t still be upset over what just happened,would she?"

Before Anya could respond,Chris’s voice turned sharp."That’s enough.We don’t have time for this."

Anya glanced at Carmen’s pitifully aggrieved expression and remained silent for a long moment.Then,with a calmness that sent a chill through the air,she said,"I understand.I’ll be there that day."

Upon hearing this,Chris was frozen in his place.Carmen,on the other hand,smiled,the corners of her lips curving upward in satisfaction.

"I’ll be waiting for you."

If anyone knew she was about to attend her boyfriend’s lover's birthday party,the entire circle would surely laugh at her.

However,Anya simply let out a cold,mocking smile.

On the way back,Chris spoke to her in a gentle tone."Anya,when we get married in the future,I’ll design your wedding dress myself.Something truly one of a kind,just for you."

His dark eyes gleamed with anticipation as if he could already picture their future."I will never let you be inferior to anyone."

Anya suddenly spoke firmly,"Chris,I don’t care about the dress.What I care about is loyalty.If you ever betray me,there will be no future for us."

His expression stiffened for a brief moment,but then he smiled at her,soft and reassuring."What are you saying?Apart from that one incident,I have never done anything to hurt you.Trust me."

"When we get married,I guarantee your wedding dress will be ten thousand times more beautiful than the one today."

Anya looked at his gentle face,but her heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

If he truly cared,why did he betray her?Why did he trample on the love they once shared?

A wave of sorrow surged within her and she really wanted to confront him to vent out.

However,in the end,she simply closed her eyes.As you wish,I won't love you anymore.

Chris continued talking about wedding plans as if he were trying to soothe her.Unfortunately,Anya’s heart was already in ruins,filled with nothing but cold irony.

Only she knew that there would be no future between them.And she would never marry him.