The Wrong Woman

With roadside parking off-limits, Sean skillfully maneuvered the car into the nearest parking lot.

Equipped with a black umbrella, he splashed through the pooled water to join Elio, shielding him from the unrelenting rain.

At that moment, Sean found himself at a loss for words.

After all, he had been the one to bring Candice to this location.

Upon returning to the banquet, Sean discovered that Elio was already outside, making his way directly to this very spot. Having stood by Elio's side for many years, Sean was intimately familiar with almost every aspect of his life.

What he witnessed in Elio was a man devoid of joy, weighed down by the expectations of his parents.

Every facet of Elio's existence-his career, his future, even his marriage-had been meticulously orchestrated by them.

Since birth, Elio had never experienced true autonomy. He was merely a puppet shaped by the Hoffis family to inherit their fortune.

For someone like Elio, who had always been drawn to Candice's carefree and innocent spirit, she appeared as an unattainable dream, a vision of happiness forever beyond his grasp.

Sean trembled as the biting wind whipped around him, accompanied by relentless raindrops that felt like they were piercing deep into his core.

Though Sean was only partially damp, Elio was thoroughly soaked. Undoubtedly, Elio must have felt even colder.

Apart from the physical discomfort, witnessing the intimate moments inside the restaurant must have been a tormenting ordeal for him.

catch a cold if you stay

Sean's plea, Elio remained silent. He stood unmoving, his silence conveying more than

stretched on, each moment heavier

teeth chattered incessantly, and his hands grew increasingly numb. Suddenly, the restaurant door swung open, and Mervyn emerged. Seeing the downpour,

drew her close,

an hour of enduring the rain,

turned around slowly, facing away from Candice and

moment, Sean swiveled and lowered his umbrella, ensuring

her

"It's been pouring for two hours straight. When will

like we've had a lot of rain lately. Make sure you

Candice replied, her voice tinged

the parking lot up ahead. That's

could you adjust the umbrella? You're leaning it all on me, and your clothes

Mervyn assured

way to the parking lot and entered

turned up the heater and offered her a

them dry, she glanced up and noticed a vehicle in the opposite parking spot with

abruptly, scanning