Nine months too late: After divorce

Flipping through the pages, she wrinkled her nose.

"How're we certain she did this

herself?"

Sylvie's lips parted in disbelief. Her grandmother could never see any good in her, could she?

"For all we know, she could be as deceptive as her mother." She added, her words piercing Sylvie's chest like an arrow. Holding out his hand, Natalie returned the book to Galen who handed it back to Sylvie..

"Keep practicing." He dismissed her.

With a subtle nod, Sylvie left the

room.

t she stood outside the door, the sound of Natalie's voice reaching her ears.

"That girl shouldn't be here. I don't like her. Do you see the way she behaves? She doesn't act like she has the blood of Cheng in her! "How could Miller have done a thing like this? No! I blame it all on that whore, Floria. She must've forcefully gotten pregnant for him.

girl can never amount to anything good in this family!"

alie wouldn't stop ranting.

Natal

Sylvie's hands shook beside her.

She walked away, holding the sketchbook to herself.

By

six p.m. the family were on their way

to the party.

Sylvie stood and watched from her window as they all got into the cars, every one of them looking exquisitely dressed.

She was the only one left behind, like the outcast of the family.

Her face looked more melancholic when the gates closed behind them. She returned to the bed, huddling herself.

Minutes ticked by.

What would the party be like? Definitely, it was going to be pure luxury and smell of wealth as only the richest were invited. But it wasn't the guests she thought about. It was the host. of wealth as only the richest were invited.

'I don't think it'd be a good idea bringing her with us as Kage might get upset and see the entire Cheng family as his enemy! Astrid's words sent a chill all the way to her bones. It's been four years. Was his hatred for her still the same?

As the clock licked, Sylvie became restless. How bad could it get It's been four years, yet there's been not a word from him.

Perhaps, if she could meet him, she could demand answers to the questions that's been lurking in ber mind: Did he know what happened with the kids? Did they mean nothing to him? N.58% 3

She left the bed, pacing the room. An hour later, her restless thoughts won.

She sought through her clothes and wore a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. She didn't have a car yet and had to make use of a taxi when she reached the road.

Seated

I in the backseat, it suddenly dawned on her. She didn't have any invite. Mr. Cheng was the one in charge of it, and he'd already gone with the necessary family members. She'd never be granted entry.

However, Sylvie didn't try to stop. When she'd left the house, a part of her had known she might never make it inside. She wasn't going to the venue because she wanted to attend the party, but because she wanted to be near him. But she couldn't admit that to herself.

"This is as far as I can go." The cabby said, stopping at the entrance to the street. The rest of it was heavily guarded, and local cabs wouldn't be let in.

Paying him, Sylvie got off the cab, put the hoodie of her sweatshirt over her head and continued the rest of the journey on foot.

She slid her sweaty hands into her sweat pockets, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

The party was still far away, but security personnel littered the streets. Sylvie wasn't the only one walking on foot, and she guessed the securities didn't mind checking them because they considered them to be one of the residents in the area. see and

What if they che recognize you?'

But why did need to to get scared

I of being recognized? She wasn't a wanted criminal. Or had Kage given them orders to shoot her on sight?

She laughed inwardly at the thought. How much did he hate her now?

She reached a point where she had to stop, seeing that only guests were getting that close and the securities were checking their invite codes.

Luxury cars drove past, going through the gates

Tears welled up in Sylvie's eyes as she looked up at the tall building, lights coming out from it.

She painted a mental image of what the party would look like. She imagined Kage being as charming as always in his expensive suit, tie, cufflinks. He was surely going to look as grumpy as always, saying a few words to people and ignoring the ones he didn't like. Tears came rolling down her cheeks. She never wanted to admit it, but she's missed him. He used to be hers. His words from the last day she'd I seen him came piercing into her mind;

I regret the day I met you. I wish you never came to Easton High, because then, we'd never have crossed paths and Marilyn would've still been alive!

She shivered at the hardness in his voice, the detachment in his eyes. He hated her now, enough that he didn't even care about their kids.

She remained there for a long time, imagining what it'd be like to finally see him again.

Accepting the fact that it was nothing more than a mere wish, she turned away.

Sylvie was lost in thoughts as she walked down the dark street, the party hall behind her. Her eyes were on the ground the

214

whole

time, but she lifted them up when she heard a familiar name.

"Damn it, June. You're dripping on me." A man moaned.

Sylvie's brows furrowed, her legs coming to a stop.

Of course, anyone could answer June, but when the female moaned, the voice was just exactly like June's.

"Come on, baby. Come deeper." The woman moaned.

Sylvie's lips fell in disbelief. June and Lex were making out in a car!? Goodness.

But the previous day at dinner, Lex had mentioned he wouldn't be able to make it to the party as he had something to do. Perhaps, his plans changed.

She walked past the car, but a minute later, she heard the door open behind her. Turning for a look, she saw June leaving the

car.

She

wasn't mistaken, afterall. It really was June.

June straightened her dress and walked away, heading back to the party. After some seconds, the car drove by. Sylvie arched her brows. Maybe, Lex didn't come to attend the party afterall. Just a little quicky with his fiancee. She turned sadder at the recollection of what it felt like to be in love. She turned away, resuming her walk.

It

asn't until midnight before the family returned from the party. Sylvie stayed hidden in the hallway, listening to them talk about the party.

"I can't even lie. Kage is damn cute!" June drawled. "How did Sylvie ever get married to him?"

"Did you see his girlfriend?" Francesca asked, while June scoffed.

"She's damn ugly! And she wouldn't stop being annoyingly clingy. It was disturbing."

"Disturbing because you weren't the one by his side?" Astrid taunted.

"Well, aren't you one to talk, Astrid? Do you think I didn't notice how you almost embarrassed yourself trying to get a handshake from him?" "You're a joker. If I wanted to shake hands with him, I'd have done that."

Sylvie turned away, returning to the room. She clutched her chest as she laid in bed, replaying their words in her head. 'Did you see his girlfriend?" So, Kage had a girlfriend? He's moved on already.

Well, what was she expecting? It's been four years.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.