Chapter 5

With only one month left until the scheduled engagement, my father unexpectedly returned and called for a joint family dinner.

I didn't want to go.

Since my groom was no longer Asher, there was no point in attending.

But my father, for some reason, had already arranged everything.

Our families still had ongoing business partnerships, and I couldn't afford to burn all bridges just yet. So, I showed up.

Asher had arrived before me. The seat to his left was empty, while Fiona sat on his right.

When he saw me walk in, he instinctively reached out to pull the chair next to him. But I ignored his gaze and sat on the opposite side of the table.

The atmosphere turned instantly tense. My father, sensing the coldness between us, tried to pull me up from my seat.

"Chloe, don't be silly. You two have known each other forever and are about to get married. What are you being shy for? Go sit next to Asher."

"Chloe, are you refusing to sit here because of me? If so, I... I can leave. I'm not very hungry anyway."

Fiona looked at me timidly, putting on a brave, mature front that made everyone pity her.

Asher's face hardened instantly. "She can sit wherever she wants. This isn't a dinner for her alone!"

"Indeed. I like it right here."

I pulled my chair back and sat down firmly. Asher glared at me throughout the entire meal. The dinner felt completely tasteless.

"Chloe, the engagement is next month. Have you picked out your dress?" my father asked.

"Yes, I have."

"When did you go see dresses?"

Asher frowned. Choosing a wedding dress was a huge deal. In the past, I would have spent weeks dragging him along to look at designs.

He had actually already selected several styles, waiting for me to lower my pride so he could take me to try them on one by one.

But now, I had already chosen one? And he didn't even know?

"Chloe, your dress needs to match my suit. When did you go behind my back to look at dresses?"

"I didn't go behind your back. And I didn't go alone."

"Then who did you go with?"

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Julian.

He had just showered, and his abs were barely concealed beneath a loose towel. I coughed slightly, my face flushing.

"Having dinner with the ex-fiancé? Are you going to be hungry when you get back?"

I quickly hid my phone under the table, my face burning as I replied.

"Stop playing around."

"Me, playing around? At least I'm not the one wasting my time with a loser."

This guy was insufferable.

Asher completely lost his patience. He abruptly stood up and walked over to my side.

"Who are you texting that's making you smile like that?"