Chapter 4

When we came back from the auction, Linda was in a state.

The insects she kept in her room, every last one of them, had been killed overnight by insecticide.

She came to me crying, looking for a fight.

"Phyllis, I've done everything I can to stay out of your way. I don't provoke you."

"How could you be so vicious?"

"You waited until Ferdinand and I were at the auction, and then you poisoned all my little pets!"

I looked at her calmly.

"I didn't do it."

If I ever did something like that, I'd do it to their faces. I wouldn't sneak around behind anyone's back.

I said I wanted a full investigation.

But Ferdinand wouldn't hear it.

His eyes were full of anger.

"Phyllis, haven't you caused enough trouble?"

"Do you have any idea how long Linda cried?"

"Her eyes are swollen from it."

I held his gaze, calm.

"And so?"

"What am I supposed to pay for this time?"

Ferdinand narrowed his eyes and stared at me for a long moment.

"You're too immature. You're really not fit to be Mrs. Stephens."

"Let's push the wedding from next month to sometime next year."

I gave a mocking little laugh. "Fine."

Three days later, Ferdinand found out the truth.

The insects had been killed by accident, sprayed with insecticide by the new housekeeper.

"Phyllis, I owe you an apology."

His eyes were full of guilt.

"I was wrong to accuse you last time without hearing you out."

"Let's keep the wedding on schedule after all. What do you say?"

I closed my eyes and said nothing. He didn't know there was no wedding anymore.

"After we're married, I need you to promise me one thing."

"Stop giving Linda a hard time."

"She's timid. She can't handle being frightened."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Me, giving her a hard time?"

"She's the one who's been coming after me."

"The insects, the bags, the antique vase..."

"Which time didn't she start it?"

Ferdinand frowned.

"That's her one little hobby. Keeping insects, liking pretty things. What's wrong with that?"

"You blow everything out of proportion every time."

"It's just a few bags."

"I'll pay you back double later."

I looked at this man who took his childhood sweetheart's side the way he always had.

And suddenly I felt tired.

"There's no need to pay me back."

"What?"

"Those bags. Consider them donated to the beggars."

Linda's face went white.

Ferdinand froze too.

I stood up.

"Is there anything else?"

"If not, please see yourselves out."

"I have a meeting to get to."

I sent them off. On his way out, Ferdinand's face was livid.

"Phyllis, you'll regret this."

I heard that to make up for the roomful of insects killed by the insecticide, Ferdinand was going to take Linda on a road trip.

When I heard, I just smiled.

"If he insists on walking off a cliff, that's no longer my concern."

Soon enough, it was the anniversary gala for Ferdinand's company.

He made a big production of it.

Invited half the business district.

I got an invitation too.

On the day, I wore a simple white dress.

No makeup at all.

When I walked in, I drew plenty of eyes.

Ferdinand came over with a glass in his hand, his gaze amused.

"You seem... very different today."

"Different how?"

"I can't put my finger on it."

"There's just this... very appealing ease about you."

"Like you've stopped caring."

I smiled.

"Caring about what?"

"Caring about... the bags that got taken from me?"

"Or my boyfriend who's always so cozy with his childhood sweetheart?"

None of it was as useful as the money and the shares in my hands.

Seeing that I had no interest, Ferdinand suddenly caught my wrist, his voice softening.

"Phyllis, I admit I've neglected you these past few days."

"In a few months I'll send Linda away, and I'll buy all those bags again for you."

"No need."

I shook off his hand.

"Ferdinand, not everything gives you a chance to make up for it."

"You took my bags away, again and again, just to placate Linda."

"Want to guess what I took from you?"

Ferdinand's expression changed.

"What do you mean?"

I curved my lips. "You'll find out in a bit."

I turned toward the stage.

The host was announcing the start of the anniversary gala.

The chairman was to come up and give his speech.

Ferdinand straightened his suit.

Getting ready to go up.

Just then, my phone rang.

"Hello."

"Ms. Henson, everything's ready."

"Good."

I hung up.

I looked at Ferdinand.

"You might not be going up on that stage today."

He was baffled. "Why not?"

I curved the corner of my mouth.

"Because you're not the chairman anymore."