Chapter 6
After they were done shopping, it was already evening. Bryce took a look at the time and asked Yara what she wanted to eat.
Yara didn’t have much appetite, so he made a reservation at a Karonese restaurant.
He said offhandedly, “Lena said she’s getting her nails done nearby, so I invited her to join us for dinner.”
The city of Jedo was huge, but somehow they all bumped into each other here.
Yara didn’t know if it was a coincidence or if it was planned, and she didn’t care to find out. She just hummed a response.
Feeling tired, she went ahead to rest in the private dining room.
Ten minutes later, Bryce walked in with Yelena.
Yelena came over with a bright smile. “Yara, I told Bryce to take you on a date today. How did he do?”
It was only then that Yara realized why Bryce had been so proactive today. Yelena had asked him to.
In their three years of marriage, even the rare moments of companionship Yara had were all stolen from Yelena. Yara suddenly found it all funny. She looked down, trying to hide the mix of emotions swirling in her eyes.
The meal tasted like cardboard to her, and she stayed quiet the entire time.
Although Yelena chatted cheerfully with Bryce, she still noticed how downcast Yara looked.
After dinner, Yelena pulled Yara along to get a spa treatment and took the lead in trying to cheer her up.
“Yara, are you upset because the date with Bryce didn’t go well today? Did he pick the wrong gift? Don’t be fooled by how calm and steady he looks. He’s always been like this when it comes to women.”
Yelena continued, “Let me tell you a story. When we were kids, I once said I wanted earl grey cake. He actually went and learned how to make it for me.
“But when I was practicing piano, two of his female classmates who had a crush on him came over. They asked for a slice, but he refused to give them any. He told them that whatever he made was only for me.”
“The family laughed at him about it for years. Wasn’t he clueless even back then?”
As Yelena talked, she laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.
Yara just stared at her. She wanted to laugh but couldn’t bring herself to even smile.
Only someone who knew they were loved that much could be so carefree.
Yara’s chest ached with bitterness. She didn’t want Yelena to notice, so she excused herself to go to the restroom.
When she came out, chaos had broken out. People were rushing toward the entrance, screaming frantically.
Thick smoke drifted out from the hallways. Yara choked and couldn’t stop coughing.
When she heard people shouting that there was a fire, her first thought was that Yelena was still inside.
Even though she knew it was dangerous, she still pushed against the crowd and ran back in.
Just as she reached the private dining room, she saw Bryce holding Yelena in his arms and leading her out,
Yelena clung to his arm, and her anxious voice came through the crowd.
“Bryce, Yara is still in the restroom. She doesn’t know about the fire. Go and get her. I can get out of my own!”
“Forget her for now, You’re coming with me,” Bryce said.
Histone was steady and firm, but Yelena wouldn’t give in and tried to push him away.
“I’ll be fine. Go get Yara. She’s your wife! If something happens to her today, what are we going to do?”
“Yelena, listen to me. I don’t care what happens to her. I only care about your safety!” Bryce snapped. “She’s lucky if she escapes. But if she doesn’t, that has nothing to do with us.
“The only one I care about is you. No one else matters!”
Yara felt a stabbing pain in her chest at every word, and she bit her lip hard. The taste of blood filled her mouth, and she could barely breathe from the pain. Bryce led Yelena away.
The crowd pushed even harder and shoved Yara to the ground. She hit the floor. People stepped on her, bruising her all over.
The pain tore through her limbs. She trembled from the agony, and cold sweat soaked through her clothes.
The fire kept spreading and started burning near her feet. Sinoke stung her eyes until she teared up. She forced herself to get up and used the wall to keep steady as. she pushed her way out.
By the time she stumbled out, she was bruised and battered. Then, she saw Bryce kneeling on one knee, massaging Yelena’s leg
She stood there watching the scene with eyes full of tears. Slowly, sorrow overwhelmed her.
Yara looked at her injuries. She laughed bitterly and turned to leave without a word.
