Tiffany was confused. Did she just say that he was dumped by someone? So it means she isn’t his wife?
She felt a weight lifted off her chest.
“He’s a good man. I believe a better woman awaits him somewhere,” she replied calmly.
Avril stared at her intently. A sudden idea emerged in her head. “Look, why don’t you take this opportunity to give him some comfort? Who knows… Maybe he would take a liking to you instead.”
Tiffany froze for a split second. Her heart skipped yet another beat. She collected herself and let out a self-mocking laugh. “You must be joking. To have me do something like that, is like asking a strand of wild grass on the dirt to approach a star in the sky.”
“It’s good that you have some self-awareness.” Avril shrugged. “But why belittle yourself like this? Won’t you consider if there’s actually a chance for you to turn your life around and reach for your happiness?”
My happiness…
She wanted so much to be able to own a house, a place where she could call home. A home where she could live with someone whom she would love and would love her in return. That would be what she called an ideal life of happiness.
But from where she came from and where she was now, she was certain that she couldn’t just be with any man she wanted.
Levant, for one, was someone too far out of her reach.
“He won’t be the one to do that,” Tiffany said and handed out a gold-colored card with both hands. “This is his card. Please help me return it to him, and tell him that I…”
“You do it yourself!” Avril scoffed. “He gave this to you, so you should return it to him with yourself. Don’t ask me to do it on your behalf.”
Unwilling to face her brother, she denied Tiffany’s request before she could even finish her sentence.
Meanwhile, she couldn’t help but feel that there’s something special about this woman. Her looks weren’t extraordinary, yet she seemed to be emitting this faint glow, like a little spark of light that shone gently in the midst of darkness. Somehow, her character and the way she carried herself would make anyone with her feel secured. This woman seemed like a considerable option for Levant despite the difference in status.
Tiffany’s hands froze in the midair for a second. Then, she withdrew them slowly, awkwardly.
She took a last glance at this odd woman who questioned her in the beginning, then turned around and proceeded towards Levant’s room.
Avril walked on. She thought she should investigate this woman called Tiffany.
If this woman’s true character turned out to be like she seemed, she would figure something out to matchmake Levant with her. It’d be better than seeing him so bullheadedly fixated on Nicole. Thus, she decided to intervene a little as his older sister.
Knock! knock!
Tiffany had waited for almost two minutes before the door swung open.
“What is it?” Levant asked plainly when he saw her standing at the door.
She held out the card. “I’m here to return this to you. I’ll transfer a partial payment every month along with interest, until all that I’ve owed you is settled.”
“There’s no need for you to pay any interest.”
“I know you’re not in need of money,” she answered firmly. “But I won’t have peace if I were to just receive your help without giving anything in return. So please, accept this from me.”
Somewhat puzzled, he nodded after a second. “It is up to you then. Is there anything else I can help with?”
Tiffany rubbed her fingers together hesitantly. With a deep breath, she mustered her courage. “You’ll eventually find someone better one day, someone who likes you!” she blurted and then left right away.
Levant stood blankly for a moment. His lips then curved up into a wry smile. There was no way he would ever have feelings for another woman again besides Nicole Lane.
With a thud, he swung his door shut once again.
Avril had been secretly watching from behind a corner. Now, she was confused.
That’s it? She turned away just like that, and he closed the door just like that too? They’ve only talked so little! Are things really that simple between them?
“Does he really not have any feelings for this woman at all? Was he really just helping her out of pure goodwill? That’s impossible,” she mumbled to herself as she walked back to her room.
Somehow, she couldn’t help but wish for something more interesting to happen between the two of them.
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Garden.
It was dinner time again. Nicole glanced at Nina and Kyle, then began stabbing around on her dishes with the same needle she had used.
“Now that Maya’s not around, Mommy can finally do this again,” she let out a sigh of relief. “You both can start eating once Mommy checked through all the food.”
“Mommy, give me a needle too. I’ll help you with the poking,” Nina said thoughtfully.
“Alright, just be careful.”
Kyle stared at the dishes in front of him, each and every piece covered in tiny holes as his mother and sister continued stabbing. His appetite had gone.
