Chapter 3

**Franklin's POV**

"You're right. We would have gotten married, but it's not too late to divorce your sister now. She is not up to my standard, and I do not like her," I replied as the waiter brought our dinner. Amelia smiled.

"What about me? I have always admired you. Honestly, that night, I felt sad seeing Natalie drug you and use you as her pawn to escape our parents' home. She's just wayward, and I had always admired you, hoping we would become a couple," Amelia said, tears gathering in her eyes.

I sighed.

"Do not worry. I will end my marriage with Natalie, okay? She can move on with her life with whomever she pleases. I do not care," I told Amelia, and she smiled at me.

"Does that mean you will consider dating me now? I really do love you, Franklin," Amelia asked me, looking at me sweetly.

Amelia was truly beautiful, and with her blue eyes shimmering, I could not say no to her request.

I had always wanted to date Amelia. I used to like her back then. She was tall like a formidable model, with slender legs, a slim waist, and ample breasts.

Back then, my father often sent me on errands to see Mr. Liam Jackson, and I would catch glimpses of Amelia.

Whenever our families hosted events during year-end celebrations—New Year, Christmas, or birthday celebrations—my father would invite the Jacksons to our home.

Presently, after I married and moved into my own home away from my father, I hardly attend these end-of-year celebrations because I feel ashamed to be in the same location as my wife.

I would travel and give my father excuses for why I could not show up.

The waiter soon arrived with our meals, and I felt the urge to use the restroom. I stood up to excuse myself.

"I'm coming. I need to use the restroom," I told Amelia, and she smiled at me.

"Okay," Amelia said, as the waiter positioned our meals on the table.

I knew I was not supposed to leave my meal, but Amelia felt like family to me, and I trusted her.

I quickly dismissed the negative feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach and left for the restroom.

I stole a final look at Amelia as I entered the restroom, seeing her smile at me.

I hurried into the men's restroom to relieve myself. There were several stalls available, which made sense given how crowded the restaurant could get with patrons.

As I exited the restroom, I bumped into Michael Austin, my best friend here in the city. I had not expected to see him, as I had not taken time to relieve myself at home and was pressed.

Michael wore a white shirt paired with black jeans similar to mine, along with black canvas shoes.

"Franklin! What brought you here, bro? Hold on, let me use the restroom quickly," Michael rushed in to relieve himself, and I waited for him to come out.

When he emerged, Michael and I shook hands. "What's up with you, Mike? What brings you here?" I asked.

Michael smiled and replied, "I was just bored at home. You know, no wife or girlfriend, so I came to see if I could meet a pretty lady to hang out with."

Michael had darker skin compared to my fair complexion.

"That's fine. I have to go now. I came here with my date," I replied, wanting to leave without mentioning that I came with my wife's half-sister.

"Your date?" Michael looked taken aback and stopped me, his eyes narrowing. "Yeah, can't I go on a date again?" I asked him. He frowned but quickly laughed and replied, "Of course, haha, you can go on a date, Franklin. But with your wife, I guess. Who did you arrive here with?"

"Come, let's go out and meet her. She will be waiting for me," I told Michael, sensing he was not happy to hear I came here on a date.

Damn it. I had not gone on a date with Natalie. I had never taken her out shopping or anywhere. I had only planned to divorce her, but the matter was still ongoing in my mind. I had not discussed it with Michael yet, even though he was my best friend. I knew he would not support me in divorcing Natalie because he seemed to have a soft spot for her.

Michael and I were the same age. He owned several hotels in the city, thanks to his wealthy parents. He was a billionaire, and his father was a senator.

We exited the men's restroom and returned to the private room where Amelia waited.

As I approached where Amelia sat and saw that the waiter had already served my order, I quickly introduced Michael to her.

"Hey, bro, meet my girlfriend, Amelia Jackson. Amy, this is Michael Austin, my childhood best friend," I introduced Amelia to Michael as I moved to take my seat, wanting to finish my dinner quickly and return home to my unwanted wife.

"Hi," Amelia said to Michael as she stood up from her seat and extended her right hand for a handshake.

Michael only stared at Amelia's hand and did not accept the handshake.

"Franklin, isn't she your wife's elder sister? Are you sleeping with both your wife and her sister now?" Michael asked me, his anger evident. He shouted so loudly despite us being in a private room.

Other patrons looked toward our table in shock, despite the dim lighting. Amelia appeared tense.

"Shut up, Michael! What has gotten into you? I am not sleeping with Natalie at home, and whatever relationship I have with Natalie and her sister is none of your business," I barked, irritated that my best friend sided with my wife over me.

Michael never found any fault in Natalie and would often disagree with me when I told him Natalie was ugly and not my type.

"Really? I thought you arrived here with your wife. Here you are, fooling around with your wife's sister. Don't you feel any shame, Franklin? And if you want to cheat on Natalie, must you cheat with her sister?" Michael shouted, drawing more attention from the restaurant staff, as we were not the only ones in this large room.

With Michael raising his voice, he seemed to have disrupted the quiet atmosphere of the private dining area.

"Michael, you can leave and stop lecturing me on how to live my life," I told him, noticing Amelia looked embarrassed. Michael looked at us, and after I told Amelia to sit back, he turned around and left.

I treasured my friendship with Michael, but he was getting on my nerves each time he disagreed with me about divorcing Natalie.

Michael often told me I was blind for not seeing how beautiful Natalie was.

"I apologize on my friend's behalf. He's always like that, taking Natalie's side. I'm beginning to think he's sleeping with her behind my back, given how much of a cheap woman she is," I told Amelia to ease her tense mood.