Chapter 4

Arlene had stayed silent for a long time before ultimately agreeing to my request.

Looking back now, I really was a darn fool.

After dinner, I shut myself in the study to organize the work handover documents.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message from Diana.

"I'll be back late tonight. Don't wait up."

I looked at the message, then deleted her chat entirely.

By the time I finished sorting everything, it was already past 10:00 pm.

After washing up, I climbed into bed and mindlessly tapped into Instagram.

The first post was from Steven. It was uploaded just half an hour ago.

The photo was taken in the living room of the Everwood Court apartment. Diana had her arm slung around several of her friends. They were in the middle of a rock-paper-scissors game, and the table in front of them was littered with empty wine bottles.

The caption read, "Diana calls me 'baby boy' in front of all her friends. Is it because she finds me too childish?"

The comments below were all cheers and teasing. Everyone said that Diana spoiled him rotten and that they were in full support of their relationship.

I stared at the screen for two seconds, then calmly exited the app.

I didn't feel sad or angry.

Whatever love I'd held for eight years had already burned to ashes the moment Diana stood by silently while our coworkers called me a homewrecker.

A new WhatsApp message suddenly popped up.

It was from Arlene, asking, "Are you free tomorrow? The bridal shop said your custom tuxedo is ready. How about we go try it on?"

I replied, "Sure."

The next day, Arlene came by early to pick me up. Mom saw me off, her grin wide, and stuffed two boxes of Arlene's favorite snacks into my hands.

In the car, I scratched my head out of embarrassment and said, "Sorry to trouble you, but could you hold off on the deal for now? I'm planning to switch companies, and I'd like to use it to make a strong start."

Arlene glanced sideways at me and smiled.

"Why not just come work at my company?"

I returned the smile and replied, "It's better to keep our business and personal life separate."

When we arrived at the bridal shop, the sales associate immediately greeted us with a smile. She was holding a white tuxedo.

"Ms. Townsend specifically instructed us to alter it three times to your measurements. It'll look wonderful on you, I'm sure."

I changed into the tuxedo and stood before the mirror in a daze for a long moment.

Before, whenever Diana and I passed a bridal shop, and I'd steal an extra glance or two, she'd always say that she was going to design something absolutely unique for me, so I should just be patient.

But I waited eight years and never got that tuxedo she promised. Instead, here I was, wearing the one Arlene had custom-made for me.

Arlene stood behind me and asked softly, "Do you want to take a photo and post it on Instagram?"

I nodded and handed my phone to the sales associate.

"Would you mind taking a picture of the two of us?"

Arlene paused for a second, then grinned from ear to ear. She walked briskly to my side and leaned her head gently against my chest.

The photo turned out beautifully.

I uploaded it to Instagram with the caption, "You're all welcome to join Arlene and me for our wedding next Saturday at Pinnacle Hotel."

Barely a minute after it went up, the comment section exploded.

"Holy crap! That's the CEO of Townsend Group! Walter, you've been hiding her way too well."

"Who was it that said Walter was throwing himself at Diana? I bet they must be feeling humiliated right now. Arlene is miles better than Diana!"

I was scrolling through the comments when my phone suddenly rang.

It was Diana calling.

I picked up, and her voice came through drunk, mocking, and piercing.

"Walter, you're really something else. You'd go so far as to drag Arlene into putting on an act just to force me into marrying you? You really will stop at nothing to be my husband, huh?"

Just as I was about to speak, Arlene suddenly took the phone from my hand and turned on the speakerphone.

Even though her voice was calm, it carried an undeniable weight as it traveled through the receiver.

"Diana, Walter and I are really getting married. He waited eight years for you, but I waited 12 years for him. So, thank you for not marrying him."

Dead silence filled the other end of the line.