Chapter 851
When Victoria saw Johanna again, she could hardly believe her eyes.
“Johanna… you look really different!”
Johanna wore an elegant, ladylike dress. Her long hair cascaded smoothly down her back, so different from the image she had always shown the world.
Johanna gently adjusted a strand of hair and said softly, “Thomas told me my silhouette doesn’t match the one he remembers. In his memory, that back belonged to someone far more graceful.”
She paused briefly before continuing.
“I’ve done some digging. Kelly’s style has always been exactly that, so it’s no wonder Thomas mistook her for his savior. And as for Sharon…”
At the mention of Sharon, a glint of icy light flickered in Johanna’s eyes. (1
“She, too, once carried that kind of image.”
Something about it all felt off, but Victoria couldn’t quite place her finger on it.
“So, Johanna, does Thomas fully believe it’s you now?”
Johanna nodded. “Yes. But I want to make him absolutely certain.”
Victoria looked her up and down. “But… to change yourself so completely, just for him… Is it worth it?”
Johanna laughed lightly. “Do you really think I’d remake myself for a man? This is nothing more than a tactic-to win him over, to make him fall for me so completely he’ll never turn away.”
Victoria’s gaze dropped to Johanna’s hands, her brows knitting. “You’re still practicing the violin, aren’t you?”
The wounds on Johanna’s hands had never fully healed. Calluses still lingered, faint but telling-the unmistakable marks of long, relentless practice.
Johanna hesitated, her expression tightening with frustration.
“Thomas says the emotions in my violin playing feel hollow. I’ve barely touched the violin in years, and
First Love is an advanced piece. Since I focused on technique, I easily neglected the emotional part. The only way is to keep practicing, over and over.” 1
Victoria studied Johanna, words caught on the tip of her tongue.
Johanna caught the hesitation and gave a small smile. “Say whatever you want to say. We’re best friends. There’s nothing we can’t share.”
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“I just… I’ve never seen you pour so much effort into any man before,” Victoria admitted.
Johanna’s smile deepened, pride and arrogance glinting between her brows.
“Men without ambition aren’t worth my time. As for Thomas…”
There was no lovestruck softness in her face. She remained cool, steady.
“Victoria, you know I thrive on challenges.”
But the greater the challenge, the heavier the cost of persistence. By the time she realized it, would she still be able to walk away?
Victoria opened her mouth to speak again, but Johanna’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, and the corner of her lips curved into a pleased smile.
“It’s Thomas.”
She answered. The call was brief. “All right. I’ll be there.”
Hanging up, Johanna turned to Victoria with an apologetic look. “Sorry, Victoria. I can’t hang out.”
Victoria shook her head. “Go ahead.”
Johanna checked the time, her movements sharp with urgency. “Alright then. See ya!”
Victoria watched her friend’s retreating figure, her gaze darkening with thought.
In a quiet corner of a café, Thomas sat waiting.
Just then, someone slid into the seat across from him.
“Hello, Thomas.”
He lifted his eyes, brows arching slightly at the sight.
“Hi, Kelly,” (1.
There was no flash of anger at being deceived, no trace of surprise. His voice remained as gentle as always. 1
“Why are you here?”
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