Chapter 3

A dread settled in my stomach.

Julian’s mother was a poised, dignified woman. Caught off guard, she still extended a polite welcome and invited us inside.

Julian suddenly shrank into silence.

He had been chattering nonstop in the car, but now he wouldn't say a word.

"These must be your parents, Chloe? I’ve been meaning to meet them, but I never expected you to surprise me like this. Please, make yourselves at home."

She guided us into the formal sitting room.

It was noon, yet she made no move toward the dining room.

She simply told the housekeeper to have the chef prepare a few extra plates.

"Julian mentioned that you knew my parents were here, and that you invited—"

The atmosphere was suffocating. Watching my parents force polite smiles, I couldn't help trying to explain.

Before I could finish, Maya’s voice echoed down the hall:

"Aunt Eleanor, lunch is served! All the guests are waiting. Why are you sitting around out there?"

She completely ignored our presence, her tone casual and familiar, like a daughter of the house.

Julian’s mother offered an apologetic smile:

"I’m so sorry. We're hosting several major business partners today. Pulling you into that crowd without warning wouldn't be proper."

"I'll have the staff bring your lunch out here. That silly boy Julian—bringing guests without giving me a heads-up!"

The color drained from my parents' faces.

Yet Eleanor spoke with such refined courtesy that I couldn't even voice an objection.

Laughter and the clinking of glasses drifted from the dining hall.

Every server was focused on the VIPs inside.

My parents and I were uninvited gatecrashers, left to freeze out in the lobby.

Seeing my parents shrink into their seats broke my heart.

Tears welled in my eyes. I moved to stand and take them away, but my dad gently pulled my arm:

"Julian told us to wait for him here. Let's just wait until he's ready to leave."

The moment Julian had stepped inside, he had vanished into the dining room. He had known about this business lunch all along.

An older executive inside raised his glass, teasing Julian and Maya:

"You two grew up joined at the hip. When are you finally tying the knot? We’re all waiting on that wedding invite!"

His booming voice carried straight into the sitting room, hitting my parents' ears with pinpoint clarity.

Julian didn't deny it:

"Give it another couple of years. Maya and I haven't had our fill of fun yet."

My mother’s lips trembled.

A maid walked over carrying a single platter and handed it to me:

"The kitchen is still prepping your meal. Miss Maya asked me to bring this over first."

Eleanor had gone back to the dining room half an hour ago.

If they had cared, a fresh, hot meal would have been brought out long ago.

I stared down at a half-eaten steak, congealed grease coating the cold ceramic.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

A text from Maya:

"Consider this prank a lesson: never take anything as fact until you verify it yourself, even if it comes straight from the mouth of someone you love."