The Wrong Woman

The conversation dwindled into another round of silence. To bridge the emotional gap, Elio tried to change the subject.

"Are you facing any challenges at work?" he asked.

Suddenly reminded of the layoffs, Candice turned to face him, her voice tinged with anxiety. "Is the company planning to lay anyone off?"

A gentle smile finally crossed Elio's face the moment she met his gaze. "You don't have to worry. You're not on the list."

"What about my friend, Vanessa Yates? Can you make sure she's safe, too?"

"Vanessa Yates?" Elio echoed.

Candice nodded in response.

"Okay, I'll make a note of it."

Candice. Overwhelmed by his intense gaze, she shifted her gaze to

about what happened

approaching them. Elio's words hung unfinished in the

anxiety, Candice whispered, "Let's not talk about the past. It's all

came across as cold and detached to Elio. To him, she seemed like a woman merely curious about sex, impulsively exploring without any emotional attachment or thoughts of

hand on Candice's shoulder. "Candice, let's finish this movie with Uncle Elio, then head home. It's getting late,

offered a faint

movie played on. His attention wasn't on the screen but on the

time to leave, he stood up to escort Jasper and Candice to the door.

vehicle slowly pulled away, and Elio remained rooted to the spot without a word. Expressionless, he watched until

ensuring she was never alone. They arranged for someone to accompany her everywhere, and she was always picked up and

difficult for Elio to find any opportunity to get close to her. He entered his villa with a heavy heart and closed

home. The silence was so profound that he could hear his own stifling oppressive, dull breaths. His mind was a