The Wrong Woman

"Are you not interested in him?" Josie asked.

"We're not in the kind of relationship you're imagining," Candice explained.

Josie simply smiled and remained silent.

After entering the villa, she handed the basket of strawberries to the maid before settling on the couch with Candice. While Candice sat upright with formal poise, Josie lounged with ease as if she owned the place.

"My dad and Mr. Morrison have been close friends for years. I practically grew up here, running around as a kid," Josie said casually.

Candice looked puzzled. "With Uncle Nathan and Aunt Chubs so often away, how did you manage to visit?"

"Leo brought me here," Josie explained with a hint of pride. "He always tried to escape his parents' strict rules. He'd stay here for a few days whenever he felt suffocated at home."

She pointed at one of the rooms on the upper floor and added, "See that room up there? That's our secret hideout."

pointed. Any adult would immediately grasp the implication of a room

her head, Candice forced a smile through her conflicting feelings of envy and discomfort. "So, you and Leo have been

she said, "Isn't it similar to you and Mervyn? Your fathers were both

Candice nodded in agreement.

for you,

mulled over Josie's words, puzzled. Why had Josie suddenly mentioned that? And why the word "too"? What

Candice, Elio stood just behind, his expression darkening. He lingered silently for a moment before turning to ascend the stairs. All he wanted

turned to find him already returned. Just then, the maid arrived with a plate of

Josie urged, offering her a large strawberry.

Candice said,

Josie rose and remarked, "Feel free to help yourself. I'll be

followed Josie as she headed upstairs toward the room she dubbed her secret hideout

in Candice's mouth turned inexplicably bitter. She lost her appetite and sank back

with pain, each wave more intense than the last.