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I had just submitted the proposal and was heading out when I saw Jaylon, who had been waiting for me by the company’s
entrance.
Despite the cold wind, he still looked sharp and stylish, his charcoal–gray leather jacket making him stand out. He was wearing a scarf that looked like a torn piece of cloth, a unique touch.
I recognized it immediately as the one Nadia had knitted for him by hand. He had once complained that it was too ugly, but every fall and winter, he wore it almost every day.
The girls from a nearby company were whispering to each other, marveling at his looks. In the past, I would have been secretly pleased, maybe even gotten jealous and shooed him away.
But things were different now. I looked
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straight ahead, determined to act like I had not seen him.
Yet he spotted me instantly and caught up with me in a few quick strides, his tone casual and light.
“I have a work event tonight. Come with
me.”
I chuckled softly, “Why do you not ask Nadia?”
I used to cling to Jaylon all the time, but after Nadia inserted herself between us, I got used to being on my own.
Jaylon rubbed his nose. “She’s attending as a client tonight.”
I smiled bitterly to myself and nodded. “Fine.”
Though we sat close together in the car, there was nothing left to say.
I glanced at the fuzzy cover on his steering wheel and was surprised.
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“Since when did you put on a steering
wheel cover?”
It even featured Micky, Nadia’s favorite character.
Jaylon smiled, his eyes filled with warmth. “I just thought it was nice. It feels cozy.”
Really? But the one I bought for you before, you just tossed aside.
I said nothing more as we drove to the hotel. When Nadia saw Jaylon, her face lit up with a big smile, but when she noticed me beside him, her expression cooled immediately.
“Jaylon, you’re finally here.”
I did not know what to say, so I found a corner and sat down. Jaylon naturally sat next to Nadia.
At the dinner table, everyone showered Jaylon with compliments for the wedding dress he had designed that had taken the internet by storm. They asked if there was
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truly only one of its kind.
Jaylon nodded firmly, looking at Nadia with doting eyes.
“Since the inspiration came from Nadia, only she deserves to receive that
sentiment.”
The others looked at Nadia with even more envy, praising her for being lucky enough to be treated this way by a famous designer like Jaylon.
These people deliberately ignored me. Even though they knew I was Jaylon’s girlfriend, they still believed I was the one clinging to him, thinking it was lucky enough that I could even be with him.
I used to try my hardest to prove myself, desperately seeking recognition from them through various social gatherings.
But they only smiled politely, while behind my back, in the restroom, they mocked my lack of taste and how I did not belong.
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From inside a stall, I realized that they had
never respected me from the bottom of their hearts. No matter what I did, it was all
in vain.
How naive I had been, thinking I had only just figured it out.
Quietly, I sat in the corner, watching them fawn over Jaylon and Nadia as if they were the perfect couple.
Jaylon even picked out the cilantro from Nadia’s dish. He had always hated to do it and never went out of his way for anyone.
I never ate cilantro before either, but he had forced me to get used to it simply
because he liked it.
But now, he carefully picked out every piece, as if handling an important task, before gently offering the dish to Nadia like he was spoiling a child.
Nadia looked at him with happiness all
over her face.
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So, Jaylon was capable of being
accommodating and considerate to others
after all.
It would be a lie to say that it did not hurt
to see this.
Even though I had tried to convince myself I had let go, a wave of bitterness and sorrow surged through me, overwhelming
- me.
A woman I vaguely recognized beside me noticed my expression and decided to stir the pot.
“Mr. Patel, you cannot play favorites like that. Your girlfriend is sitting right there watching you.”
Jaylon’s hand, halfway to picking up more food, froze. It seemed he had only just remembered something as he glanced at my empty plate.
He forced a smile. “What do you want to
eat? I can order more.”
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“There is nothing I want. I am full,” I said,
setting down my fork and knife, my expression blank.
“I remember you like spicy seafood. How about I order it for you?”
“I do not like it anymore.”
“Then fish?”
“Really, no need.”
Jaylon’s expression darkened. He had never
encountered such resistance from me
before.
He stared at me, disbelief in his eyes.
I met his gaze without flinching.
“I do not want anything, Jaylon. You do not
need to force me.”
“Aurora, are you upset?”
Nadia frowned, looking pitiful.
“Please do not blame Jaylon. You can have mine. I have not touched it.”
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