#Chapter 14: A Beautiful Mystery

Emily gave me an artificial smile as I froze. “Cathy, I hope we can become friends after this misunderstanding,” she said pleasantly. “Two proper and pretty ladies like ourselves should not be quarreling.” As she walked past me, she sneered in my ear, “You will never beat me, and Aldrich will never love you.” I snickered as she exited, shrugging carelessly, “Who cares?” I couldn’t muster any other words, only able to feel pity for her. “Your poor thing, always living for men.” With her so close, I sneaked a hand behind my back and did a deliberate motion with my fingers. No one noticed. After claiming to leave to retrieve more tear leaves for Elias, I felt myself deflate like a ripped balloon. But I was not relaxed. Would the men believe her? Aldrich had mistrusted me before; maybe he would change his loyalties. And I did not know Elias enough for him to take my word over his wife’s. I only allowed myself to look worried while she was gone, looking between the two men whos