Chapter 3.
Armando clutched his phone, a message confirming a cancellation flashing on the screen.
His face drained of color, panic flickering in his eyes.
“Vana, what did you just cancel?”
To declare someone dead, identity records had to be wiped first.
Jovana’s expression was calm and detached. When he bent down slightly, she caught sight of the faint hickeys hidden beneath his collar.
Those blotchy red marks burned her eyes.
She met his anxious gaze and offered a faint smile.
“Nothing much. Just canceled a mobile game account. Staring at it too long was hurting my eyes.”
“A game, huh…”
Armando visibly relaxed. He set the phone down and pulled her into his arms, clinging to her as if she were a precious treasure he had nearly lost.
“Vana, didn’t you mention wanting to go shopping last time? Let’s go. I’ll go with you.”
Jovana didn’t want to go. Not in the slightest.
But Armando had already planned everything. She couldn’t argue her way out of it.
She wondered, “Is he feeling guilty? Trying to make up for his betrayal with this?”
A bitter smile tugged at her lips, and she gave in.
She was leaving soon anyway. No need to stir up trouble. She didn’t want him noticing anything off.
The whole way, Armando was practically glued to her side, doting as ever.
It was swelteringly unbearable outside, the summer heat suffocating.
Armando, the CEO of a massive company, held an umbrella over her himself.
Passersby couldn’t help but gawk, their voices thick with envy.
“Wow, isn’t that Mr. Dunbar with Jovana? God, he’s so sweet to her.”
“Right? Their love story’s the talk of Los Angeles. Everyone knows how much he adores his wife. She loves cherries, so he planted a cherry tree in their backyard. Why couldn’t I find a guy like that?”
“Seriously, Ms. Atherton was the one he chased with everything he had. Of course, he treasures her like a goddess!”
Jovana’s lips twitched into a mocking half–smile.
They stepped into a high–end boutique.
The saleswoman greeted them warmly.“Ma’am, you should take a look at this gown. It’s one of our brand’s signature pieces. With your figure, it’ll look absolutely stunning.”
Armando’s voice was warm and indulgent.“If you like it, it’s yours. Don’t worry
about the price.”
Jovana pressed her lips together.
She was about to say something when a sugary voice cut through from behind.
“Classic styles are so last decade, darling. How utterly passé.”
Juliette sauntered over, her perfectly made–up face wearing a sly smile. She picked up a new summer dress, her gaze loaded with meaning.
“New arrivals are so much prettier, don’t you think? So fresh and vibrant.
“What do you say, Ms. Atherton?”
Her tone was innocent, but her eyes screamed challenge.
Jovana recognized her instantly as the woman who had been with Armando last night.
She hadn’t expected the mistress to be so impatient.
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Armando’s face darkened, his eyes flashing a warning.
But Juliette plowed on, pretending not to notice. She was emboldened, convinced Jovana was a pushover, easy to toy with. Armando spoiled her so much, so she thought a little sweet–talking later would smooth everything over.
Juliette put on an apologetic pout.
“Oh, silly me, I forgot. Ms. Atherton, you’re twenty–six now, aren’t you? These cute little skirts might not be your thing anymore. My bad…. With that, a triumphant smirk played on her lips.
Jovana merely smiled, raising a hand to check the dress’s price tag.
“It’s vibrant, sure, but I guess only someone with cheap taste would treat this as treasure.
“Oh, no, I should say, only cheap people are drawn to cheap things.
“New styles come and go every season, flooding the racks. But classics? They’re eternal.”
Juliette froze, her mind racing. “Is she calling me cheap? Like, common and trashy?”
Her face twisted, her flawless makeup doing little to hide her humiliation.
She turned to Armando, her eyes brimming with crocodile tears.
Normally, he’d toss her a few soft words to soothe her.
But this time, he wrapped an arm around Jovana and said, “You’re right, darling. Classics are the real deal. New stuff’s just too tacky.”
