As I pulled up to dad''s mansion, I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable confrontation. I knew he wouldn''t be pleased with me showing up without Mark; he always wants me to scurry after Mark like some lost puppy. For a while, I''d admit, I had actually scurried after him. I had practically changed my life to satisfy them. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.


    I made the short walk to the mansion''s courtyard; the courtyard faced the well kept garden. I had admired the garden when I first came. It was where I preferred to spend my time whenever the were fawning over Be. The garden looked even more beautiful and we''ll tend to. I was sure mum must have as she instructed the household gardeners on how to trim it right.


    gone


    bunkers


    The area was already bustling with activities. The servants were already up and down attending to the guests - young and old - that were seated around tables, each person d in luxurious outfits and jewelry. Some young girls stood by the colorful shrubs, wine sses in their delicate grip. They picked at the flowers as they chatted, lightly covering their mouths as theyughed.


    I spotted dad chatting with some of the guests, his patronizing smile on disy. The moment his eyesnded on me, his smile faltered. He said something to his guests and walked over to me. I could feel his disapproval in his gaze, his strides... it was wafting off him in multifolds.


    I met him halfway but he passed by me, gritting out, "Follow me."


    I rolled my eyes and did as he asked. He walked ahead a bit more and stopped a good feet away from any of his guest''s earshot.


    The moment he stopped and faced me, he went straight to the point, throwing his obvious question at me. "Why did youe alone?" His voice was stern and sharp, cutting through the festive air like a knife.


    I met his gaze with defiance, refusing to let his cold tone pull me down like it used to when I first found them. "I didn''t feel like chasing after Mark today," I retorted, my toneced with indifference. "The world won''t end just because I didn''t cower behind my husband at your party."


    He regarded me for a while, clearly surprised at my response. His brow furrowed in frustration and he took a deep breath, "What''s with Mark''s assistant calling around looking for youst time?"


    I shrugged, not bothering to offer an exnation. "I don''t know," I replied flippantly, my brows raised, "Why don''t you ask who called you? Or better still ask Mark himself."


    His eyes narrowed, obviously mad at my demeanor and also wondering why I was suddenly being rude. But I didn''t care what he thought. I was tired of constantly trying to please everyone, especially when it came to them.


    "Since thest time we spoke, your line hasn''t been going through. Why is that?"


    We spoke? I tried to recall when he had called and we spoke. He usually just called, barked orders and then hung up.


    "Oh really?" I pretended to look shocked then I fished out my phone from my bag; with my brows pulled down, I fiddled with it. "What might have happened?"


    "Cut the bullshit, Sydney. You blocked his number," mum appeared by his side, ring at me. Since I reunited with my parents, I didn''t think mum had ever smiled at me. Oh, she did. On my wedding day. Chapter 0016


    "Oh really?"


    14


    Mum''s mouth opened and she took a step forward but dad stopped her. "Don''t sweat it, rissa. We don''t have time for that besides," his eyes swept the crowd, "not here or now."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    "Where''s Mark?" He faced me and repeated his question from earlier.


    Just then, the sound as a car pulled over drifted to us. Even though we were all looking towards the car, I pointed at it. "There''s your almighty Mark."


    Mark stepped out of the backseat, his head raised high as he feebly dusted on his jacket.


    After him, a blonde head emerged beside him. She wore a huge grin and clung to Mark.


    I watched them, just like everyone else in the courtyard. Yes, theymanded the attention. With their arms linked and a grin on Be''s face, they looked like the real formidable couple. The perfect one. "Aww," my voice dripped with contempt, "Don''t they look good together? Confidently waltzing in with his mistress."


    "Keep your voice down,dy!" I turned to dad and found his gaze on me. "Don''t yap nonsense. There are a lot of guests here. Don''t embarrass me!"


    He turned back to them and I could see his eyes darting about. "Goodness. What are these two thinking?" He murmured, if he could will the both of them apart, I was sure he''d have.


    "What nonsense?" I arched a brow. They must have sensed the edge in my tone because mum and dad turned to me. "Telling everyone that your beloved Be eloped with someone else on her wedding day," my arched brow rode higher, "That nonsense?