Chapter 7
Everyone’s smile faded. Surprise flickered across their faces.
Troy was stunned for a moment.
He deliberately glanced at her bare, ringless fingers. With a chuckle, he commented, “You’ve really thought of everything just to turn me down.”
Kathleen knew no one believed her. It wasn’t like she could drag Shawn out here just to prove it. “I wasn’t making things up to reject you,” she said with a sigh.
“Then, why not introduce us to your husband?” Troy’s smile remained warm.
Kathleen bit her lip as she explained, “He is busy…”
Troy cut her off. “Kathleen, I followed you all the way from Bexley to Neviton. I really like you.”
He didn’t care how others were looking at him. His expression was sincere and earnest.
“If you’re really married, then I wish you all the best. If you’re lying just to reject me, though, there’s no need for that. I’m only asking for a chance.” He stepped closer. “I genuinely like you. I want to be with you.”
The people nearby were visibly moved. They couldn’t understand why Kathleen would reject Troy—someone who was a good catch in every sense.
Someone finally spoke up. “Come on, just give him a chance.”
Everyone there had accepted his dinner invitation, and they all knew the purpose of this little gathering. So, they all began urging Kathleen to give it a shot.
Right then, her phone rang. She looked down at the caller ID, and her eyes visibly lit up.
“Darling…” Her coquettish voice made Troy’s expression shift. The others exchanged startled looks.
Kathleen let out a quiet breath. She didn’t care how much Shawn hated being called that. He had just called at the right time.
“We just wrapped up here. Are you done with work?”
She heard nothing from the other end but kept going, “I’m at Moonlight Restaurant. It’s fine. I’ll wait for you.”
She hadn’t expected Shawn to actually show up, and she even forgot to ask why he called. Perhaps he just dialled the wrong number.
After hanging up, Kathleen gave a helpless little smile. “That was my husband just now.”
“You’re really married?” some asked.
“I am,” she replied firmly.
Troy’s expression darkened.
Seizing the moment, someone teased, “You didn’t even tell us about something this huge! If we hadn’t asked, we’d never have known you were married. You’ve kept it well hidden. Now that we’ve got the chance, at least let us meet the lucky guy who married you.”
The others echoed his words.
Kathleen knew they just wanted to see whether she was lying.
She was starting to feel a little diffident. The marriage was real, but it seemed to be impossible for Shawn to meet them.
What kind of married woman couldn’t even bring her husband out in public?
She’d been cornered. With no way out, she forced a smile that was probably more like a grimace.
“Maybe next time. He’s still tied up with work. I have no idea how long it’ll take.”
“It’s fine. It’s still early anywhere. We’ll just hang out and wait with you,” Troy pressed.
Kathleen gave a dry laugh.
With so many people around, she couldn’t exactly ask Chelsey to find some guy to pretend to be her husband.
“It’s raining,” someone commented casually.
Kathleen glanced out the window. Rain streaked down the glass, blurring the city lights like a watercolor.
Perfect. Now they had an excuse to stick around even longer. The longer they waited, the hotter her face burned.
She was indeed married, and her husband wasn’t coming. What was real started to feel fake.
The rain was getting heavier, causing the streets to be nearly empty.
Suddenly, her phone rang again. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller. She drew in a breath. “Hello?”
“Are you coming out or not?” Shawn’s voice was cold.
Kathleen was stunned. She looked out the window and asked, “You’re here?”
“How pathetic.”
She bit her lip. No matter how unpleasant his tone was, he had at least saved her from the awkward mess. Ending the call, she said to the others, “My husband’s here. I’m going to head out.”
“We’ll walk you out.”
Kathleen smiled faintly.
She couldn’t figure it out. Since Shawn hated their relationship being exposed, why would he suddenly be so kind and show up now?
Still puzzled, she stepped out of the restaurant. Outside, the pavement was wet and gleaming.
A black Maybach pulled up with its hazard lights flashing.
Kathleen wasn’t sure if it was his. She was about to call when the driver’s door opened.
Colin stepped out with an umbrella and walked toward her.
“Mrs. Vance.”
His words made everyone freeze, but Kathleen felt a wave of awkwardness.
“Mr. Vance is waiting in the car.”
“Okay.” She turned to her colleagues, who all wore various expressions. “I’ll go now. Let’s meet again sometime.”
Colin raised the umbrella over her head and walked her to the car.
…
When the back door opened, she saw Shawn sitting inside, eyes closed. He was completely uninterested in the scene outside.
Colin closed the door after she climbed in. Then, he folded the umbrella, got back in, and drove off.
Everyone outside stood there, watching the car disappear into traffic.
Someone muttered, “Kathleen really married well.”
“Why didn’t her husband show his face? Who is he?”
“Just look at the driver. Her husband must be someone important. Maybe he doesn’t want to be seen.”
“Or maybe he doesn’t love her. I mean, who keeps a whole marriage secret? Even now, he shows up but stays hidden. That’s not what love looks like.”
Kathleen could guess what they were saying, but she didn’t care.
She was just wondering why Shawn had bothered to come at all. He’d saved her, although he didn’t even get out of the car.
“Thank you.”
Shawn slowly opened his eyes. “He’s courting you?”
Caught off guard, Kathleen turned to look at him.
Troy hadn’t brought the flowers when they left the restaurant. They hadn’t even walked out together. How did he know?
A sudden thought struck her. Her eyes widened. “Did you see us?”
That was why he had called. That call was intentional.
Her eyes sparkled, but Shawn clearly had no intention of answering.
“Yeah, he’s courting me,” Kathleen admitted honestly.
“Then, why not marry him?”
She pursed her lips. “I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love.”
Shawn’s gaze darkened slightly. “What a coincidence.”
Kathleen was confused. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t want to marry someone I don’t like either.”
She fell silent, staring straight ahead. The conversation ended abruptly.
He was probably thinking of the woman who’d left him and gone abroad.
Honestly, Shawn had it rough. His days were numbered, and the woman he loved left just like that. In the end, he ended up marrying some random woman under pressure from his family.
Kathleen could understand how he felt.
“Stop the car.”
Colin pulled over, waiting for instructions.
Shawn said coldly, “Get out.”
He tilted his head slightly, clearly talking to Kathleen.
She pressed her lips together. It made sense, although it was quite unexpected. He had already been kind enough to help her out. There was no need for him to send her all the way home.
Kathleen wasn’t upset. She just opened the door and got out.
The rain was still fine and dense. Within moments, her clothes were speckled with water.
She closed the door and stood there by the road.
The car started to pull away before stopping again. Collin stepped out and passed her an umbrella. “The rain’s heavy. Take this.”
“Thanks,” Kathleen responded, accepting it without hesitation. Colin got back in and drove off.
She watched as the car disappeared into the traffic.
…
In the car, Colin glanced at the rearview mirror. “You went out of your way to help her. Then, why did you drop her off halfway?”
“I just don’t like her.”
Shawn looked out at the rain-slick street. The water shimmered like glass.
Colin said nothing more.
Not liking someone—sometimes, that was all it took.
