Ch. 21..30

Chapter 21

After the pantry incident, Audrey kept managing her work like it was no big deal. It was almost quitting time when she used the intercom to call Emily into her office. "Hey, Ms. Rhodes, you wanted to see me?" Emily asked as she walked in..

"Yeah. I just wanted to let you know I won't be at the evening potluck. They've been putting in a lot of effort lately, so entertain them for me, will you?" Audrey replied. With everything that had happened, she thought her presence might send people into a frenzy.

"Got it, I've already sorted everything out, Emily confirmed with a nod

Audrey felt a wave of relief wash over her, glad that Emily had it all under control. "Great, then you're free to go."

But Emily stayed put, lips pressed together in hesitation. After a moment, she spoke up, "Ms. Rhodes, can I leave with you?"

At first, Audrey assumed Emily just wanted a ride home, since they used to live in the same area and had carpooled a few times She shook her head, a hint of regret in her voice. "I don't live with the Rhodes family anymore, so it's really out of my way for you."

Emily quickly clarified. That's not what I mean. I meant leaving the office together. Ms. Rhodes, I want to stick with you in the future

Audrey was taken aback by her loyalty. She looked down, speaking softly, "You heard what everyone said today. They think I'm nobody now that I'm no longer the daughter of the Rhodes family. Why would you want to follow me? You'd be better off here." It hit her then-Audrey hadn't really considered that. Eliza didn't know much yet, and she'd definitely need someone by her side when she stepped into her role.

Emily could really shine if she stayed at the company. It felt like a waste for her to leave with Audrey

Emily stepped closer, voice earnest. "Ms. Rhodes, when I first joined the company, I had no clue what I was doing, and you helped me every step of the way. I don't want to leave you to assist someone who just takes credit for your work." Emily didn't hold back, making it clear how she felt about Eliza. She knew deep down that Rhodes Enterprises thrived thanks to Audrey. Without Audrey, the company wasn't likely to last in the spotlight for long.

Emily took a deep breath and confidently said, "Ms. Rhodes, I'm not scared of getting a little tired. I can handle the struggle. Even if it means starting fresh with you. I'm totally in."

Audrey hesitated, sensing the weight of Emily's words. Just because Emily claimed she could endure hardships didn't mean Audrey should put her through the wringer.

"Let me think it over, Audrey replied, keeping things open-ended. There's still some time before the Brightview Group program wraps up, so consider that as well."

When Audrey mentioned leaving Rhodes Enterprises, it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. She had her strategy ready and was already mapping out her exit plan. But if she brought Emily along, she'd have to rethink everything from scratch. Emily nodded eagerly and said, "That sounds good, Ms. Rhodes. I'll wait for your answer. And just so you know, I didn't rush into this. I'm totally committed. With that, Emily left the office, excited to join her coworkers for the potluck.

As the clock struck six, the sky began to darken. Audrey wrapped up her last email and closed her laptop. She grabbed her jacket from the chair, ready to call it a day.

In the elevator, her mind drifted back to the day's events, and a troubling realization hit her.

Today's standoff with Albert spelled trouble for her future outside the company. He might explicitly go after her in the industry

Even if he wasn't inclined to do so, Eliza would definitely push him in that direction. Audrey couldn't shake the feeling that Eliza had no intention of letting her have an easy life moving forward. That thought made her head spin. This might end up making her financially strapped.

 

 

Chapter 22

Funny enough, she used to take pride in being independent and totally self-sufficient, so she hadn't asked her family for money since she first landed a job.

It got to a point where she didn't even feel the need to save money. She spent her monthly paycheck on gifts for Fiona. Now, she was sitting on a six-figure savings.

With no cash in hand, she felt a bit off. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Audrey whipped out her phone and made a call.

A few seconds later, a lively female voice burst through the line, full of enthusiasm. "Audrey, you busy bee! What made you think of calling me?"

Audrey grinned and replied softly, "I was curious if you still needed any manuscripts. I've got some free time coming up."

"Oh, your design is definitely what we're missing! You're the main designer for our brand. Do you know how well your stuff sells? It's nearly impossible to get one!"

Claire Robbins was talking about Koivara, a century-old luxury brand in the country. Recently, they had been struggling with sales thanks to the onslaught of foreign luxury goods, and they were even on the brink of going under. Right when it looked dire, the brand manager made the bold move to sign Audrey as the main designer. Though she only submitted ten designs, each one went viral, even catching the eye of foreign royalty.

In just a year, Koivara shot to the top of domestic brands, and no one had been able to outshine them since. Audrey basically took Koivara to a whole new level.

Yet, no one knew the true identity of the designer. No one had seen her in person. She hadn't even attended a press conference. That mystery only added to the allure of her work.

Claire's excitement was hard to miss as she asked, "Hey, how many manuscripts can you paint this time around?"

The company was really hoping Audrey could whip up more designs this time, but they also knew she was doing just fine financially. If she could manage two or three, that would be great.

After thinking it over, Audrey replied, "I think I can pull off around two to three dozens in a month."

"Two to three...dozens?" Claire nearly leaped out of her seat. "That many?" In the past year, Audrey had only provided ten designs. If she really could create two to three dozens a month, Koivara would take off like a rocket. Audrey wasn't keen on bringing up the Rhodes family drama, only mentioning, "I got married, and now I have a family to support."

Claire was still daydreaming about the amazing turnaround Koivara was about to make when she caught what Audrey just said. "Wait, what? Your husband is actually living off you?!"

Audrey was about to clarify when she noticed Alistair standing right in front of her, his deep eyes locking onto hers. She had been so wrapped up in the conversation that she hadn't even noticed he was there. Aidrey blinked, thinking, 'Did he overhear what Claire said?'

A wave of nervousness hit her, so she quickly told Claire, "Hey, I have to run. I'll send the manuscript to your email like usual."

After ending the call in a hurry, she turned to Alistair, ready to explain. But he just shot her a teasing smile and said, "Being able to live off you is actually a pretty good deal."

He definitely heard that. Audrey rubbed her nose, trying to defend herself. "That's not what I meant."

She had taken a bank card from him, not the other way around, yet she let people think he was just lounging around on her dime.

Alistair lifted his brows and chuckled casually. "You know, living off you isn't too shabby. I'm gonna work harder to live off you a little longer."

'Work harder?' As those words echoed in her mind, Audrey found herself drifting off, lost in thought.

 

 

Chapter 23

The awesome physique Alistair had shown off in front of the mirror this morning kept popping into Audrey's mind.

'With a body like that, there's no way he didn't have some serious skills, right? Hold up, Audrey, what are you doing? How can you even think about that stuff with him around? That's kinda embarrassing!' Audrey thought. Audrey felt herself blush and quickly looked away from Alistair, eager to change the subject. "So, what brings you here? Have you eaten yet?"

"I came to pick you up, and no, I haven't eaten," Alistair replied, a teasing smile lighting up his eyes as if he could read her like a book. It only made Audrey feel more flustered.

Trying to regain her composure, Audrey said with a forced grin, "Alright then, I'll treat you to dinner. Let's make this whole 'living off your wife' thing official so no one gets the wrong idea."

Alistair shrugged, clearly amused. "Okay, but since my wife is treating me, I get to choose the place. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good to me." Even though the term "wife" made Audrey cheeks heat up, Alistair was right about it being his call for dinner.

They ended up at Shanyeats Pavilion, a fancy new spot in Riverdale boasting a stunning mix of traditional decor and a peaceful setting with plants.

The place was bustling, and luxury cars lined up outside, making it clear that only the elite could afford a meal there. Even bigwigs had to wait for a table, thanks to the restaurant's popularity.

Audrey swallowed hard as she took in the opulent surroundings. Sure, she was the Rhodes family's daughter, but she'd never set foot in a place like this.

Spending money wasn't really her thing, and she worried about whether her wallet could handle it. Still, since they were here, she didn't want to disappoint Alistair.

Audrey clenched her jaw, ready to take Alistair over to the line, when a mocking voice cut through the air behind her. "Oh look, it's the fake princess," the person taunted.

Audrey didn't even need to turn around. She could feel her mood plummet. The last thing she wanted was to engage in this nonsense.

Sophie Brooks wasn't letting up. "How pathetic! Pretending to be someone you're not, and yet you still have the gall to spend someone else's money just to invite your husband to dinner."

Before she could brush it off, Sophie caught sight of Alistair, and her expression shifted to surprise, the sarcasm fading for a moment.

'Wow, how had Audrey ended up with someone like him? It's a shame, though. What good is being good-looking when he's driving a cheap car? Typical that only Audrey would fall for someone so superficial,' Sophie thought. Sophie snapped back to reality and shot Audrey a sharp comment. "So what if Mr. Hayes dumped you? No need to go around finding a look-alike, right?"

Audrey couldn't help but roll her eyes, unimpressed. "Are you serious? How is Alistair even close to looking like Dominic?"

She then playfully threw her arm around Alistair, leaning into him with a smirk. "My husband is way too handsome to be anyone's double. Some people just have to settle for old and ugly fiancés they're too embarrassed to take out, right?" Sophie's expression shifted dramatically. Her family had just set her up to marry, and her fiancé definitely fit the 'old and ugly' description. "How dare you say that!" she shot back, clearly irked.

Sophie felt humiliated as she stood there in public, her anger boiling over. In a moment of frustration, she waved her hand, aiming to slap Audrey.

But before her hand could even connect, a strong grip grabbed her wrist, almost causing her to wince in pain.

"Ow! That hurts! Do you even know who I am?" she snapped, trying to regain some dignity.

"I really don't care," Alistair replied, his tone icy and dismissive. He released her with a scoff, his eyes filled with an intimidating coolness. "I'm not the type who doesn't hit women. If you can't control your hands next time, well, I'll do it for you." Caught in his cold stare, Sophie felt a chill run down her spine as if she'd been plunged into an ice-cold room.

 

Chapter 24

'Wait a sec. Why would I be scared of this guy? He's just some poor dude acting tough with his words. There's really nothing to worry about,' Sophie thought. Taking a deep breath, Sophie steeled herself and shot back, "You think you're so tough, but honestly, you're just a parasite. Are you really going to try and hurt me?" As soon as she said that, she felt a wave of icy stares filled with disgust and intimidation hitting her. It was like someone was gripping her throat, making her feel stiff.

But she didn't want to back down in front of Audrey, so she pushed on, "You're just a stingy loser trying to make a scene, coming to a nice place like this. Don't you even-"

Audrey was fed up with Sophie and was about to defend Alistair when someone suddenly came out from inside. "Excuse me, are you Mr. Hayes?" The gentle but firm voice cut through the tension.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man in a suit with a manager's badge.

He looked at Alistair with genuine respect, and as soon as he confirmed his identity, he bowed slightly and said, "Why are you queuing outside, Mr. Hayes? We've got a private room ready for you inside. You can dine whenever you like." That made everyone around them pause and look at Alistair in shock, wondering who he was. The restaurant manager came out to greet him personally and arranged a private room. Not many people in Riverdale got treated like that. Sophie was the most surprised. She thought the manager must have made a mistake and snapped, "John, I have to wait in line, so what makes this poor guy special enough for a private room?

"I've dropped over 200 thousand dollars here just this month. Why are you treating your customers differently?"

John recognized her and replied politely, "Mr. Hayes is one of our top customers. It's standard procedure to treat our VVIPs accordingly. If you're unhappy with that, you could always recharge 3.5 million dollars for a VIP membership, and then you could skip the line, too." But even then, she still might not be able to get a privete room.

"3.5 million dollars?!" Sophie's expression shifted. She nearly lashed out at him, wondering if he was trying to rob her.

No matter how incredible this restaurant was, no one could dine here all the time.

'Like I'm that stupid, huh? And 3.5 million dollars for just a VIP? What about the VVIPs and their charges?' Sophie thought.

For a moment, Sophie eyed Audrey more jealously. She had thought Audrey stumbled upon a kept man, but now it seemed like she'd just landed on some rich dude.

Meanwhile, Audrey was completely baffled. 'Wait, how did Alistair become a VVIP guest?'

"Let's head in," Alistair said, grabbing Audrey's shoulder and walking in. In the lobby, a waiter led them to their booth.

On the way, Audrey got to ask, "How come you're a VVIP here?"

She always believed he was just an average guy, not someone who was rolling in money. If he really was a low-key rich guy playing the flash marriage game with her, then... Audrey's mind raced, and her expression grew more perplexed. Sensing her unease, Alistair didn't beat around the bush. "The membership card belongs to a friend of mine."

Alistair didn't often come to Riverdale. The house he was staying in, the car he drove, even the membership card - all in Logan's name.

'So it's just a friend, huh? Guess I was overthinking it. What kind of wealthy guy would play the game of pretending to be broke?' Audrey felt a wave of relief but couldn't help but be curious. "What kind of friend? I can't believe he's so generous." Alistair chuckled. "His name's Logan Barrett. I'll introduce you to him later."

"Logan Barrett?" Audrey's eyebrows shot up, surprised.

Alistair tilted his head, looking at her with tenderness. "You know him?" The dim hallway light softened his features.

Audrey, noticing none of that, muttered, "Yeah, I've heard of him. He's the youngest heir of the Barrett family and a well-known playboy. He'd probably dropped a ton of cash on that membership just to skip the lines. But how do you guys know each other?" It seemed like anyone who hung out with Logan must be in the same social circle. For a moment, a thought nagged at Audrey: If Alistair was just another party guy, she'd need to seriously rethink their marriage.

 

 

Chapter 25

Sensing something was off, Alistair quickly brushed it off, saying, "Logan was just an old college buddy. I haven't seen him in ages. I'm just borrowing the card since I'm new to Riverdale. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can return it later." Audrey let out a sigh of relief and nodded. "Yeah, I think it's best to give it back. Next time, we can just make a reservation ahead of time." She really didn't like feeling indebted to anyone.

She was also happy that Alistair wasn't from some high-profile family like Logan. Dealing with that crowd would have brought a whole lot of drama.

Meanwhile, Logan was getting ready to hit the bar when he suddenly got the restaurant's spending records. The gears in his head started turning as he turned his car keys and dialed a number.

Once connected, he grumbled, "So, you just decided to head out alone to Shanyeats Pavilion without giving me a heads-up?"

"I'm not alone," Alistair replied, sounding pretty pleased with himself.

Logan's eyebrow raised with a grin. "Right, I forgot you're married now. Say hi to Mrs. Hayes for me."

"Sure thing," Alistair said casually.

Logan noticed a faint female voice in the background. Before he could catch much of what was being said, Alistair added, "She said thanks for the membership card, but we'll skip using it next time. We can't have you shelling out so much cash." Logan was left speechless. 'Did I really just hear Alistair say 'thanks?" he thought. This was less about saving money and more about showing off their relationship. He really shouldn't have called.

With a frustrated sigh, Logan hung up. So he spent money just to witness their affection display.

Back with Alistair and Audrey, just then, their ordered dishes arrived, and Audrey's eyes lit up. Every single dish was her favorite. She was thrilled but didn't overhink it, assuming Alistair must enjoy the same food.

Even though they had already tied the knot and had a wedding, this was the first time they were actually sitting down together for a meal. The vibe was a bit awkward and filled with unspoken feelings.

Alistair decided to break the ice and poured some wine for Audrey.

"Thanks a bunch," Audrey said and took the opportunity to serve him some soup. Their conversation began to flow back and forth, and the tension in the air lightened a bit.

Alistair wasn't much of a chatterbox, so Audrey jumped in, "So, what's your family like? I know you just moved to Riverdale. Were you living in Willowdale before?"

It was funny how they were only just starting to learn about each other's families after getting married.

"Yeah," Alistair replied, looking at her seriously as he spoke, his fork resting still. "My family's pretty straightforward. My parents are alive and kicking, but they each have their own lives. We barely get together during the holidays, so there's no drama with in-laws or anything."

'Their own lives? That sounds a bit odd. Are his parents separated?' Audrey found that intriguing but didn't press, choosing instead to listen as Alistair continued speaking.

"Anyway, let's put my job in Willowdale on hold. Right now, I'm working for a tech company in Riverdale, making a decent salary. The company's doing well, so I'm pretty secure in my job for the next fifty years at least. Supporting our family isn't an issue at all," he continued.

Hearing that made Audrey think back to earlier when he joked about being a kept man. She couldn't help but smile-clearly, Alistair wasn't the type to rely on someone else. He was already more than ready to support her.

 

 

Chapter 26

"How about your son?" Audrey asked, getting to the question that had been on her mind. "You mentioned he's not well. What kind of illness does he have?"

Since Alistair's parents didn't need to live with them, it was almost certain his son might eventually have to come over. Learning more about him now would only make things easier in the future.

Audrey had never raised a child before. She'd only spent time with her relatives' kids, and they were a handful. One day with them felt more tiring than ten days at work.

'So what will Alistair's son be like?' Audrey wondered.

Alistair's fingers gripped his fork a little tighter, and his voice dropped. "He's six years old now."

'Six?' Audrey thought and recalled the driver's license she'd seen back at the city hall. 'Alistair is twenty-seven, which means he has had a child at twenty-one?'

"As for his illness..." Alistair began, pausing for a moment. A flash of pain crossed his face before he said quietly, "He has autism."

Hearing this, Audrey felt her heart ache immediately. She'd once volunteered at a care center and had seen children with autism up close.

They were in their own worlds entirely, and it was heartbreaking. Now, Audrey fully understood why Alistair wanted a partner who could help care for his son.

If it were just a healthy child, hiring a nanny would have been enough. There'd be no need to commit his marriage.

Understanding this brought a sense of relief to Audrey. She looked at Alistair and said, "I minored in child psychology in college. Maybe I can help a little. You can bring him over, and we'll work together to help him gradually open up." Alistair looked deeply at her. "Aren't you afraid?"

It was a child with autism, and even the top specialists in Willowdale hadn't been able to help him fully. There was a chance he might never recover.

Audrey smiled calmly. "What's there to be afraid of? Since we're married, that means I'm responsible for him too."

If she hadn't thought it through, Audrey wouldn't have agreed to a quick marriage knowing he had a child.

"Alright, I'll discuss it with my family," Alistair said calmly.

They continued their meal, while Sophie was still outside waiting in line for over an hour before finally getting into the restaurant.

The only table available was a terrible spot with no view, and the staff wasn't exactly attentive. Compared to the way John had treated Alistair, Sophie's experience was worlds apart.

Sophie fumed quietly, wondering who that guy was to get such special treatment when she spotted Eliza walking arm-in-arm with Dominic.

A mischievous smile spread across Sophie's face as she approached. "Eliza, Mr. Hayes, what a coincidence! You two here as well?"

Eliza and Sophie had bonded over their mutual frustrations with Audrey, so they could be friends now. Eliza greeted her politely. "Sophie, you're here too? Want to join us?"

"You two are on a date; I wouldn't want to intrude," Sophie replied, waving her hand before sighing in mock disappointment. "But Eliza, you're different. Not like certain people I've known for years.'

Then Sophie continued, "I bumped into her earlier, went over to say hi, and she barely even acknowledged me! What, she's married to a rich guy now, so she thinks she's something special?" The mood around the table shifted immediately as soon as Sophie said it.

Eliza stole a glance at Dominic, watching him spin his coffee cup between his fingers, looking unfazed at the surface but with an unmistakable tension in the air around him.

Trying to ease things over, Eliza asked casually, "So you ran into Audrey and her friend earlier?"

Sophie caught Dominic's darkened expression and added, "Yeah, I did. The guy with her even looked a little like Mr. Hayes here. But really, how could that pretty boy compare to Mr. Hayes? Audrey must be out of her mind." Bang! Dominic set his coffee cup down hard on the table.

 

Chapter 27

Sophie feigned contrition quickly as she prepared to leave. "Sorry, Mr. Hayes, that was out of line. I'll get going!"

With her goal accomplished, Sophie backed away, pretending to be remorseful, but smirking internally. She couldn't wait to see what might happen next, knowing Dominic's temper. Eliza gauged Dominic's mood carefully and spoke softly. "Dominic, maybe we should... find somewhere else?"

"Let's just eat." Dominic cut her off, his tone firm as the server brought their dishes. He picked up a piece of crab meat with his spoon and placed it on her plate.

Eliza looked down at the seafood on her plate, her eyes slightly misting. "Dominic, I'm allergic to shellfish."

Dominic frowned a little, then swapped their plates without missing a beat. "Sorry, I forgot," he said flatly.

Eliza offered a forgiving smile and said sweetly, "It's okay, really. If you're not feeling up to dinner, we can go."

"I'm fine. Let's eat." Dominic sounded defensive, and his voice was sharper than usual. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, the irritation on his face was unmistakable. Watching Eliza eat quietly across from him, Dominic couldn't help but picture Audrey instead.

It was a sunny afternoon, and Audrey had tapped him on the shoulder with that familiar smile, tilting her head with a playful request.

"Dominic, I heard there's a new restaurant on Harbor Street. They say it's amazing! Can we go there for our anniversary?" Audrey asked sweetly.

'How had I responded then? I said yes?' Dominic thought.

But on the day of their anniversary, they never made it. Dominic couldn't even remember what excuse he'd given her.

Over the years, Dominic had disappointed Audrey so many times. But she never held it against him. And now, here she was, dining with another man.

Meanwhile, Audrey and Alistair had finished their meal. There was still plenty of food left, and Audrey was full.

As Audrey got up to leave, she stopped Alistair. "Could you grab a couple of takeout boxes from the front? There's so much left, and it'd be a shame to waste it."

Alistair looked at her, surprised. 'She has plenty of money, yet she wasn't above taking leftovers?' he thought.

Seeing his hesitation, Audrey explained, "Come on, I might be out of a job soon, and we should be saving where we can, you know? It's practical to make the most of what we have." These dishes could easily make a whole other meal, and they were delicious.

When Alistair heard this, his expression softened.

Alistair thought about saying he could fully support her, but knowing her independent spirit, he simply nodded and agreed.

Besides, if anyone in Willowdale found out that Alistair was taking leftovers, they'd be in for a good laugh.

Seeing his compliance, Audrey gave him a playful thumbs-up. "Good job! Sweetie! You're the best husband!"

For anyone else, this might be laughable. But those who would mock Alistair had no idea how meaningful such a simple gesture could be.

Keeping a straight face, Alistair replied, "Thank you, babe, for the compliment. I'll keep working hard to be the best husband, ready to meet all requests!"

Despite his serious tone, Audrey's cheeks flushed. She gave him a playful shove and said, "Alright, alright, go on already."

As Alistair walked away, Audrey's smile grew. She watched his tall figure for a moment before turning to pick up her purse from the chair.

But as she turned, Audrey found herself face-to-face with Dominic, who was staring right at her.

 

Chapter 28

Audrey had no idea how long Dominic had been standing behind her. At that moment, his gaze was cold and filled with darkness.

Audrey only glanced at him once before turning her attention away. Now, seeing Dominic again, she felt nothing at all.

Her indifference and disregard only fueled Dominic's rage. Just moments ago, Audrey had been laughing and chatting with that man, and now she looked at him like a stranger. Upon learning that Audrey had brought another man to their designated restaurant, Dominic lost his composure in anger and left Eliza behind hurriedly.

Dominic just wanted to see which wild man dared to claim his woman. All he had seen was that man's retreating figure. Aside from his tall stature, he was just an ordinary guy.

'Is he really worth Audrey letting go of our years of feelings?' Dominic muttered.

What bothered Dominic even more was the change in Audrey. In just one day of absence, she seemed even more beautiful. Her eyes appeared to hide a galaxy, sparkling with every smile and frown.

'Why does Audrey wear such a sweet and happy smile? Do they really only meet at the wedding?' Dominic wondered.

Audrey didn't care what Dominic was thinking. She grabbed her bag draped over the chair and was about to leave.

But Dominic caught up to her quickly, trying to grab her hand. "Audrey!"

Whenever he was angry, Dominic would call her name like that, cold and domineering. And Audrey had lowered herself to appease him repeatedly.

But this time, Dominic's outstretched hand met only air.

Audrey dodged skillfully, her eyes reflecting disdain. "Don't touch me, it's disgusting!"

When Dominic heard the word "disgusting," his expression darkened further, like an enraged lion.

Suddenly, Dominic leaned closer, grabbing her wrist forcefully and pushing her against the wall. Then he raised his arm, trapping her entirely.

It was a position that left Audrey with no escape. Facing him, she was confronted by his handsome features, his warm breath filling the space between them. Audrey began to struggle, frowning in disgust. "Get away from me!"

As Audrey fought back, a flush crept onto her cheeks, and thin beads of sweat formed. Dominic's eyes softened unconsciously as he leaned in to kiss her.

By the time Dominic realized what was happening, Audrey's palm had already struck his face hard.

Dominic froze, then gripped Audrey's shoulders firmly and pushed her against the wall again, questioning her sharply. "Audrey, are you done with this? How long do you plan to keep this up?"

The pain from her shoulder blades hitting the wall made Audrey lose her composure entirely. 'Am I causing a scene? Am I throwing a tantrum?' she thought.

Then Audrey clenched her teeth and kicked toward his lower body.

Dominic reacted quickly, stepping back just in time to avoid her attack, only to hear her merciless insults.

"Who are you calling a tantrum? Are you out of your mind? Do you really think I would use my marriage and my life to throw a tantrum with a jerk like you?" Audrey shouted, her voice rising in frustration. There were plenty of onlookers nearby, and upon hearing her words, some even began recording with their phones secretly.

Anyone who could enter this restaurant was part of Riverdale's elite, and nearly everyone recognized Dominic. Now that they had the chance to watch his drama unfold, they couldn't wait to share it online. Dominic initially regretted being too rough and felt some sympathy for her. But when he heard her words, his expression turned cold again.

Dominic rubbed his temples, asking impatiently, "Audrey, what exactly do you want?

"I just want to postpone the wedding. I never said I wouldn't have it in the future. You not only embarrassed our family at the wedding but why do you also have to make this a scene?"

 

Chapter 29

Audrey was fed up with his act. Then she teased, "Dominic, do you really think I can't live without you?

"Back then, you chased me down, saying you couldn't live without me. You begged for the wedding. But in the end, you left me for someone else at the wedding."

Audrey was never one to dwell on past grievances. She believed that many things should be left behind. It was pointless to argue about who was right or wrong anymore.

But at this moment, Audrey simply couldn't take it anymore. She asked coldly, "You think I'm ruining the Hayes family's reputation? Well, did you think about how I would cope when you left me alone at the wedding?"

A flicker of guilt flashed in Dominic's eyes as he explained softly, "I've already said this was an emergency at that time."

"Have you had fewer emergencies than me?" Audrey retorted coldly. "Do you want me to count how many times you left me for Eliza over the years?"

As memories flooded back, Dominic's face tightened, and he stumbled over his words, unable to speak.

Audrey met his gaze, her expression calm, her tone indifferent. "Dominic, what makes you think I would wait for you forever?"

In reality, Audrey had once poured her heart into him, only to have it shattered. Now, she just wanted to part ways amicably, hoping for no entanglements in the future.

"Dominic, me getting married isn't to get back at you! You should understand me. I'm not the kind of person who would act recklessly." Audrey said seriously.

Audrey continued, "I rushed into marriage simply because I realized that in your heart, I'm not as important as your family's reputation, nor am I more important than Eliza.

"I don't want to keep forcing myself to chase after a man whose heart isn't with me. I don't want a relationship filled with impurities."

Dominic clearly disagreed. Even if he felt guilty, he tried to explain stubbornly, "Audrey, my feelings for you are real."

But Audrey didn't give him a chance to speak. She added, "I believe you genuinely liked me at first. It's just that people's hearts can change. I don't blame you. But if you continue to cling to me, I will truly regret having met you." Dominic was left speechless, completely at a loss for words.

Audrey seemed relaxed, saying calmly, "From now on, I just want to love myself. I hope you do too."

When Dominic heard this, his expression darkened instantly. He looked fierce and shouted, "Is your self-love just finding some random guy to marry?"

Mentioning Alistair made Audrey's demeanor shift entirely.

Audrey lowered her gaze, a smile playing on her lips, stating proudly. "My husband is great. Although we haven't known each other long, he never makes me wait alone for him, nor would he leave me behind. Marrying him was impulsive, but I don't regret it." Watching the radiant smile on her face, Dominic finally felt panic rising in his chest. He realized that Audrey was truly drifting further away from him.

A surge of fear washed over Dominic like a tide, leaving him chilled to the bone.

Finally, Dominic lowered his head, almost pleading as he asked, "Audrey, what do I have to do for you to forgive me?"

Dominic stepped closer, wanting to grip Audrey's shoulders. When she dodged him, he could only stare at her desperately, saying, "I promise I won't associate with Eliza anymore. I'll treat you well! I'll only listen to you.

"We can have a grand wedding to make up for your regrets and you can come back to me. How about that?"

'As long as you could return, I wouldn't hold your marriage against you,' Dominic thought.

"It's too late!" Audrey shook her head firmly and calmly. "From now on, I don't want to have any connection with you!"

Audrey took a step back slowly, creating distance between them. She looked up at Dominic, her expression icy. "My husband is still waiting for me. Goodbye."

As Audrey turned to leave, Dominic felt completely lost. 'No, I can't just watch her walk away like this. I won't allow it!' he thought.

 

 

Chapter 30

"Audrey..." Dominic started to take a step forward, wanting to go after her, but Eliza suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

A delicate, almost boneless figure pressed against his back, and a pained, weak voice sounded right next to his ear. "Dominic, my stomach hurts so much. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Dominic turned to see Eliza's pitiful face, and for the first time, a sense of disgust arose in him. 'If it weren't for her, would Audrey be so determined to leave me?' he thought.

With a tense face, Dominic peeled Eliza's hands off his waist and snapped, "Cut it out. Your physical exam didn't show any issues."

'Does she really think I'm a fool?' Dominic muttered.

Under the warm glow of the lights, Eliza's face went pale. She gripped the corner of his shirt, whispering, "Dominic, are you doubting me? I've never lied to you."

Eliza felt completely thrown off, yet kept up her feeble, helpless act.

Dominic wanted to chase after Audrey, but now he could only watch her walk farther away, feeling even more frustrated.

Dominic didn't even spare Eliza a glance, his tone sharp and cold. "You think I don't know? Every time something happens with Audrey, you always manage to pull me away. Isn't it just because you want me for yourself?" But it was useless now. Whenever he saw Eliza, Dominic could only think of her as the obstacle standing between him and Audrey.

Seeing the icy look on Dominic's face, Eliza panicked. "Dominic, it's not like that. Did Audrey say something to you just now? You're really misunderstanding me."

"Shut up! I don't want to hear her name from you again," Dominic shouted.

Dominic couldn't believe he'd been foolish enough to believe Eliza's words, letting himself drift farther away from Audrey.

Looking back now, Eliza was nothing but a fleeting thrill. The only person Dominic had ever seriously thought about marrying was Audrey.

Eliza's face went ghostly pale, her lips trembling. "Dominic..." she whimpered, filled with hurt and desperation.

But Dominic didn't care; he turned to leave without hesitation.

Eliza clenched her teeth and shouted after him, "Dominic, I'm pregnant!"

Hearing this, Dominic froze in place.

Free from Dominic's grasp, Audrey left the restaurant and went straight to her car, fuming over his presumptuous words.

'Where on earth did he get the confidence to think I'd ever take him back? What a fool,' Sudrey muttered.

Just as Audrey was brooding over it, Alistair opened the car door and slid in beside her, holding a takeout box he'd casually tossed in the back seat.

Audrey, busy with her phone, didn't acknowledge him. Noticing her somber expression, Alistair recalled a recent call from Logan, his brow furrowing.

A little while ago, Alistair had run into the restaurant manager while picking up a takeout box. Despite Alistair's initial refusal, John insisted on having the kitchen prepare a fresh batch of dishes. Just then, Logan had called. "Alistair, is Audrey still with you?"

Hearing Logan's unexpected question, Alistair was a bit stunned. Then he asked, "What is it?"

That frigid tone made Logan realize something was up instantly. He explained, "I'm just wondering you two went to dinner together, so what's Dominic doing showing up there too?" "What do you mean?" Alistair asked icily.

"You really have no clue?" Logan's tone was a mix of surprise and exasperation. "Check the video I sent you. Dominic came back to try and get Audrey to take him back. It's all over Instagram." Logan added, "I had it removed as quickly as possible, but people are still talking. Everyone's wondering if Audrey will forgive him."

After all, everyone in Riverdale's elite circles knew how much Audrey had once loved Dominic. Hardly anyone believed they were truly done.

"She won't," Alistair replied without hesitation.

'More importantly, there's no chance. Now that we're married, Audrey belongs to me. Dominic could yearn for all he wants, and it's useless,' Alistair thought.