Ten

“Yeah,” Fidelia said, brushing off their stares. “I changed my haircut too. I didn’t like the old look.”

Without giving them more time to respond, she turned and walked back into her room. ‘Let them wonder. Let them feel uneasy. The old Fidelia would have smiled like a fool and sought their approval. Not anymore.’

She had two things to accomplish today, and she was ready. By the end of today, she would have prepared shocking news on her enemies. She made sure every plan was in place.

Fidelia stepped out of the house and got into her car. She looked really hot and sexy — so much so that Alice and Bridget couldn’t help but suspect something was up. ‘Good. Let them suspect. Let them worry.’

Just then, she received a message from Silas: “I’m already here, waiting for you.”

She quickly replied, “I’m almost there. Order me a good wine — I’m really craving it.”

Fifteen minutes later, she arrived. It was a truly fancy restaurant — one of those places popular among the rich. Fidelia halted for a moment and smiled, staring at the glowing sign. ‘This is good… really good.’

She walked inside, her heels clicking against the polished floor. As she scanned the room, she spotted Silas waving at her from a table in the distance. But she wasn’t looking at him.

Her eyes locked onto someone else. A strikingly handsome man — clearly wealthy — sat not far from Silas. His suit was perfectly tailored, the top buttons undone, revealing just enough of his chest. He was on his phone, looking effortlessly powerful.

Fidelia walked closer, heart racing slightly, and then spoke. “There you are,” she said, her tone smooth. “Hi, I’m Fidelia.”

She stretched out her hand to shake his, taking in his presence. Seeing him in person now… she felt something strange. She had met him somewhere before — she was sure of it. But she couldn’t quite remember where. ‘Where do I know you from?’

Andrian’s eyes widened in surprise. He had met her just last night. They had a one-night stand. ‘Is she pretending… or does she really not remember?’

“You already know who I am,” Andrian said calmly, “and a lot about me already.”

He shook her hand firmly, then gestured for her to sit. But she didn’t. Instead, she gave his shoulder a light tap. “I’ll be back. I have to take care of a big mess,” she said casually.

Without waiting for a response, Fidelia turned and walked away, her heels echoing against the marble floor. Andrian turned his head, watching as she confidently strode toward another section of the restaurant.

Fidelia walked back and sat down at the table Silas had reserved for the two of them.

“Who was that?” Silas asked with a slightly frowning face..

“Oh Never mind,” Fidelia replied, glancing briefly in the direction she’d gone earlier. “That was Bridget's fiancé.”

“You shouldn’t worry about that now,” Fidelia said, brushing it off as if it didn’t matter. ‘Keep thinking I’m the same fool you used to know.’

“Alright but you are late,” Silas added, his tone teasing but with a hint of reproach.

“Yeah… I had to take care of something,” Fidelia replied smoothly.

Silas didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere, so he simply nodded and said, “Okay.” Then, with a small smile, he opened the menu. “I already have an idea of what we should have.”

But before Fidelia could respond, Silas snapped his fingers. Almost immediately, a small band of musicians appeared from the side of the restaurant, playing a soft, romantic tune on their trumpets. One of them handed Silas a bouquet of fresh roses, which he took with ease.

The sound of the music made several diners turn their heads toward them. Fidelia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What are you up to, Silas?”

Then Silas stood up. Seeing this, Fidelia slowly stood too, sensing something unusual. He walked closer to her, then suddenly dropped down on one knee. The restaurant gasped in unison, a quiet murmur spreading among the guests as they all turned to watch.

Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him pull a small velvet box from his pocket. Silas opened it, revealing a sparkling ring. His eyes locked onto hers as he said, firmly and clearly,

“Fidelia Crawford… will you marry me?”

Gasps and whispers filled the room. Someone nearby muttered, “Oh my God, he’s proposing!” while another diner whispered excitedly, “She’s so lucky.”

Fidelia blinked in surprise, then smirked slightly. “You sure know how to draw attention, Silas”

“Only for you,” Silas replied with a confident smile, still holding the ring out toward her.

“Say yes!” A woman at another table suddenly called out, making the room chuckle softly.

Now, every eye in the restaurant was on her, waiting. Everyone was expecting her to say “yes.” But if only they knew that the person she was about to marry was the devil himself. Someone who had killed her — at least, that was what it felt like.

‘The old me would have said yes like a fool. Cried happy tears. Believed every lie.’

Fidelia laughed suddenly, covering her mouth. “No… no, I won’t,” she said.

And then — silence. The entire restaurant went still. Forks paused mid-air. The music faltered.

“No?” Silas repeated, his voice low, almost disbelieving.

She met his gaze, her eyes cold. “No. I’m not going to get married to you. The engagement is off.”

The band stopped playing, an awkward silence spreading like wildfire. People were whispering now. Why did she say no? What’s happening?

Silas slowly rose to his feet, confusion and anger swirling in his expression. “Fidelia, come on… stop joking,” he said, his voice unsteady. “What’s going on?”

She didn’t reply. Instead, Fidelia calmly poured herself a glass of wine, lifted it to her lips, and took a slow drink as if nothing had happened. Then, without looking back at him, she turned and walked away, heart pounding with a dark, satisfying rage.

Some distance away, behind one of the pillars, someone had been watching the entire scene unfold — Andrian. ‘So… she was even engaged?’ he thought, stunned. What was the whole deal with asking her to marry him? Was it because of this?

Silas followed her, his steps heavy, calling her name in a low, desperate tone. But Fidelia ignored him. She walked with purpose, heels clicking against the marble floor, until she arrived at another table — Andrian’s.

She sat down across from him without a word, her face composed as if nothing had happened.

“Can we go somewhere more private?” she asked him, her voice soft but commanding. “And hold my hands like we are a couple.”

“What… why should I? I barely know you,” Andrian said, sounding like he wasn’t impressed by her tone.

“Have you forgotten about your assets so soon?” Fidelia said with a grin.

“Fine.” Andrian closed his eyes and sighed, accepting his fate. By that time, Silas was already by their table.

Seeing this, Andrian stood up, and then he moved close to Fidelia. “Babe, let’s go,” Andrian said with a smile and caught Fidelia off guard as he stretched his hand.

‘Hmm, you pick up fast… perfect.’ She wouldn’t lie — his action caught her by surprise.

But then another surprise happened.