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."

where Josie pointed. Any adult would immediately grasp the implication of

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

the moment, she said, "Isn't it similar to you and Mervyn? Your fathers were both comrades and colleagues.

Candice nodded in agreement.

feelings for

was taken aback. She mulled over Josie's words, puzzled. Why had Josie suddenly

stood just behind, his expression darkening. He lingered silently for a moment before turning to ascend the stairs. All he wanted to do was to retreat to his room, shower, and change

staircase, Candice turned to find him already returned. Just then, the maid arrived with a plate of freshly washed strawberries.

one," Josie urged, offering her a large strawberry. "They're sweet

faint smile, Candice said, "Sure, thank

Candice took a bite, Josie rose and remarked, "Feel free to

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

inexplicably bitter. She lost her appetite and

intense than the last. The agony