Chapter 11

My nerves jolted at those two words, and I instinctively looked toward Megan Young Megan Young. She was staring at the two people ahead with a knowing expression.

"Miss Key, what is this?" Megan Young Megan Young asked me through gritted teeth, her voice low.

I turned to her and smiled. "A birthday gift. The genuine Lily Tanya . Brian Locke's first love, his irrationality, his lack of composure. Do you like it?"

The color drained from Grace Miranda's face. I could almost hear the buzzing in her brain, probably leaving just two words: It's over. Her good days were finished.

"That lady said I used to be called that name," Lily Tanya said, her voice soft, her white dress swaying slightly. She was looking at me.

Brian Locke seemed to snap back to reality, firing off three questions in rapid succession: "What's wrong with her? Where did you find her? Why did you only bring her now?!" He instinctively stepped in front of Lily Tanya, protective.

I smirked. "What's with the accusatory tone, Brian Locke? I found your first love for you. You should be thanking me. I came across her by chance on the street. She says she was sold into the mountains for the past five years and only recently escaped. She tried to kill herself by jumping into the sea but survived, though she lost her memory. That's all I know."

Brian Locke turned back to look at the frail, confused Lily Tanya, his eyes full of pity. "I am... I am your..."

I snorted and finished the sentence he'd probably dreamed of for five years: "He's your fiancé. Don't worry, if you want the moon, he'll get it for you."

"Sophia Reed! Stop talking nonsense!" Brian Locke snapped, a completely instinctive reaction.

After he said it, he seemed momentarily stunned. I threw him a sarcastic smile, turned, waved dismissively, and walked away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him take a step forward as if to follow, but then he caught sight of Lily Tanya and stopped dead. I didn't need to look back to guess what he'd say to her. "Tanya... it's okay now. Everything will be fine from now on." Something like that.

The news that Lily Tanya was alive spread quickly.

My best friend heard that she was back by Brian Locke's side, being treated like a princess, and she was furious. She dragged me out and chewed me out. "Are you stupid? Lily Tanya ruined your marriage, and you just hand her over to Brian Locke so she can live the good life? What right does she have? She deserved whatever happened with that hillbilly!"

I stirred my coffee absentmindedly. "Watching Grace Miranda get a taste of her own medicine is entertaining."

"Just to mess with Grace Miranda? Is that... worth it?" She was practically having a fit.

"Relax, just wait and see. Lily Tanya is no innocent little flower. They're going to tear each other apart. And besides—" I didn't get to finish before a scream from outside interrupted me.

"Lily Tanya, how dare you hit me?!"

It was Grace Miranda's furious shriek.

My friend and I exchanged a look, got up, and went to the door of our private room, opening it.

The door to the room diagonally across was open. The floor was littered with broken glass from bottles. Grace Miranda was clutching her head, blood trickling down. Lily Tanya stood opposite her, completely unruffled. "You insulted me and poked me. Why shouldn't I fight back?"

Grace Miranda lunged forward and grabbed Lily Tanya by the throat. "I've been by Brian Locke's side for a whole year! I don't even care about his wife! Who do you think you are, challenging me?"

"Brian Locke..." Lily Tanya struggled, suddenly letting out a pitiful cry.

A figure rushed over immediately—it was Brian Locke. He pried Grace Miranda's fingers away and shoved her aside roughly. He glanced at the broken glass on the floor, frowned, and carefully cupped Lily Tanya's face to check her over, finally finding just a small cut on her finger.

"It's okay, don't be scared." He patted Lily Tanya's head and led her away. "Let me take care of that cut for you."

"Brian Locke!" Grace Miranda lay sprawled in the broken glass and spilled red wine. "I'm the one who's hurt! She hit me over the head with a bottle!"

But Brian Locke either didn't hear or didn't care. He didn't even look back.

This scene felt so familiar.

I closed the door to our room and returned to my seat.

My friend, still shaken, said, "I thought you said Lily Tanya lost her memory and was sold into the mountains? She seems quite... bold."

"Yeah," I said, taking a sip of my now-cold coffee. It was bitter. "I strongly suspect she's lying. I'm looking for proof right now."

Brian Locke, the evidence of Lily Tanya's lies is my second gift to you. I wonder what your expression will be when you see it.