Capítulo 13

Back at Romance Mansion, it was lunchtime.

Luna greeted me politely as I returned. Looking at the still-delicious meal, I was reminded of the earlier sight of William and Emma, instantly losing my appetite. I went upstairs without touching my chopsticks.

"Madam, are you unwell? Should I call a doctor?"

Luna followed attentively. If she weren't Emma's mother, I might genuinely like having such a considerate housekeeper.

"I'm fine, just not hungry. Ask the other aunts to eat together," I replied irritably from my bed. Luna retreated silently.

I dozed off amid chaotic thoughts, only to be bombarded by calls from Yulia and the others. Yulia's excited shout nearly deafened me: "Holy shit! Goddess! The cello goddess of A University is back!"

"Huh?" I mumbled, groggy from sleep.

"I sent you a link—check it now, right now!" Yulia hung up.

Noticing missed calls from Oliva and Sasha, I opened Yulia's message.

It was a video of today's performance in A University's concert hall.

Filmed from the left, the camera frequently zoomed in on me, as if the shooter had a crush. Comments raved about me—terms like "elegant beauty" and "former music department goddess" made me wide awake and giddy.

Who didn't love being praised?

This was the first time I'd been admired purely for my own charm, not my father's status. Yulia called again just as I finished watching. "Surprised? You're viral! Hahaha…"

"Definitely unexpected," I said, thrilled. "Guess my charm hasn't faded!"

"Of course! You were blinded by William. So many guys chased you, but you had to be his humble admirer." Yulia still resented the past.

"Let's not dwell on that. I've moved on," I sighed, recalling those days.

"Then come drink!I'm free—let's make you a big influencer. We can form a band: Sasha as lead singer, us three as backup. Perfect!"

Yulia's idle fantasy made me laugh.

"Forget the future—where are you? Let's have dinner, no drinking." I was starving, my weight-gain plan on hold.

Yulia agreed instantly.

"There's a coffeehouse with amazing coffee and food better than five-star hotels. Sending the address!"

To my surprise, I ran into my father at the coffeehouse entrance, chatting with friends after a meal.

"Alice, what are you doing here?" he asked, startled.

A sharp-eyed uncle exclaimed, "Old John, is your daughter the cello beauty trending online? She's everywhere!"

My father, though proud, downplayed it: "Trending? She majored in cello but hasn't played in years!"

"Still amazing after years off! Your daughter's talented," others chimed in.

"Beautiful too—looks like she was born into wealth."

I felt proud yet guilty. Did my bony frame really scream "wealth"?

Yulia's call saved me. "Dad, my friends are waiting. I'll go in!"

"Go ahead.I'm leaving too," he said, waving.

As I turned, a 40-something woman exited my father's car—a chic black-and-white bodycon dress, tastefully seductive. She bowed to my father, who took the back seat while she drove. Since when did he have a female driver? A strange unease crept in.

"Alice, loitering as a greeter?" Oliva coffeesed, arriving.

"Waiting for you, of course. touched?" I smiled, linking her arm. "Let's go—Yulia's been nagging!"

The private room eJohnded tranquil coffee fragrance, classical music playing softly. Yulia posed for photos while Sasha snapped them, ready to flirt with her backups on social media.

Once seen as a playgirl, Yulia now seemed the wisest among us.

"Alice, Oliva! Sit, sit! I ordered the best dishes—trust me," Yulia greeted, finally acting normal.

We settled around the coffee table as a graceful waitress in a green cheongsam performed a coffee ceremony, explaining the coffee's origin and flavor. The food, served alongside, was indeed exceptional.

As the waitress opened the door, I spotted William and Nelson passing by. Eating here too? I wondered, but let it go—soon we'd be strangers.

Mid-meal, Sasha dropped a bombshell: "Girls, Darian and I are getting married!"

I nearly choked, coughing violently. Yulia and Oliva stared: "You're really entering the grave of marriage?"

"Not a grave—our love castle," Sasha beamed. Darian matched her in looks; though his family was less affluent, he'd likely treat her well.

"Men are unreliable. Think again for six months!" Yulia urged, clutching Sasha's arm.

Sasha smiled, swatting her away. "You guys make marriage sound terrifying. I'll renew your faith in love!"

Yulia glanced at me, silencing herself. Good friends offer advice, not control.

"Restroom," I said after eating, feeling discomfort. Passing a private room, I heard Frank: "William's found true love!"

Granille mocked: "Too bad she ignores you. Even William's charm fails."

"She has a boyfriend—move on."

"College girls are a dime a dozen!"

This is what "friends" are for—enabling bad decisions. They didn't see me as William's wife, just a legal formality.

Nelson's serious voice cut in: "What about Alice? Your marriage is legally binding."

I felt guilty about the lipstick incident.

Silence, then William's lazy drawl: "True love? Just a game. The chase is the fun."

I didn't stay to hear more, rushing to the restroom—only to realize my period, delayed two months, had finally arrived, likely due to better diet and herbs. Checking under my dress, I saw bloodstains.

Fuming, I called William—rejected. Too busy plotting to chase Emma? I stormed to his room, flinging the door open. Shock greeted me, especially from Frank. William's smile vanished at the sight of me.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped.

Ignoring him, I beckoned Nelson with a shy smile: "Nelson, can you help me with something?"

Nelson glanced at William, hesitant but yielding to my gaze. Outside, he asked, "What?"

"Buy something for me." I batted my lashes.

"What?"

I leaned in: "Pads and a skirt!"

His face paled. "No!"

"You can help William chase other women but not his wife with a simple request? Where's your medical ethics?"

Nelson's gaze turned complicated. As the only moral friend in William's circle, he eventually left for the stairs.

Waiting, I messaged Yulia. The door opened again—William emerged. "Where's Nelson?"

"Over there," I pointed.

Nelson returned, blush on his face, handing me a black bag. "Take it!"

"Thanks, Nelson! I'll treat you next time," I cooed, ignoring William's stare.

He snatched the bag, face darkening at its contents. "You made Nelson buy this?"

"What's wrong? Is it illegal?"

"And this?!" He nearly threw the pink panties at me, furious.

Nelson eyed me, puzzled.

I hadn't expected his thoughtfulness—buying panties along with pads. How did such a caring, decent man lose to William in my past life?