Chapter 0313


    My heart sinks, and I feel a lump forming in my throat. It’s like a punch to the gut, seeing him with


    someone else. I turn away, tears welling up in my eyes. I was so foolish to think I could just waltz back


    into his life and everything would be the same.


    What was I expecting, anyway? He told me that he was holding interviews for a date. Did I just assume


    that he was bluffing, or that he would change my mind for my sake? Of course I did. And it was silly.


    As I watch from my secret corner, Karl leans close to the woman he’s dancing with and says something


    in her ear. She smiles, her foxen face lighting up at his words. There’s an intimacy between them; I can


    sense it.


    Maybe I shouldn’t get involved. Maybe I should just go back to the kitchen, return to my work, and let


    Karl have his night.


    And that’s exactly what I’ll do.


    But as I begin to walk back to the kitchen, my head hung low, I suddenly feel hands on my shoulders,


    and someone shoves me into my office. The door clicks shut behind me, and when the light turns on, I


    see that it’s Chloe and Leah.


    They exchange worried nces before turning their attention to me. Chloe speaks first, her voice


    gentle. “Abby, what are you doing?”


    I sniffle, wiping away a tear. There’s no use lying. Not to them. “I... I wanted to put on my new dress


    and maybe attend the party for a bit. But then I saw Karl with his date, and it just hurt too much. I can’t


    do it.”


    Leah steps closer, her expression filled with concern. “Abby, you can’t let Karl’s presence dictate your


    actions. People are excited to see you here, to taste your incredible food. You don’t need to worry


    about him.”


    I shake my head, feeling utterly defeated. “But it’s not just that. I feel silly, wearing…” I pause, gesturing


    to the gown hanging on the back of my door. “That. God, it’s like a wedding dress. I’d be making a


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    spectacle out of myself.”


    Chloe looks over at the dress, then exchanges a look with Leah before returning her attention toward


    me. She walks up to me and ces both of her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look at her.


    “You listen to me,” Chloe says. “Abby, you’re gorgeous, sessful, and this night was made possible


    thanks to you. The gown is beautiful and you deserve to wear it. Are you really going to let your ex-


    husband’s new fling change that for you? Are you really going to let him deter you from walking out


    there, looking every bit as radiant and lovely as you deserve?”


    Leah nods in agreement. “We believe in you, Abby. Don’t let this moment ruin what should be a


    celebration of your sess.”


    I take a deep breath, my gaze flickering from them to the dress hanging on the back of the door. I begin


    to realize that it’s not just a dress; it’s a manifestation of all of my hard work. All of the blood, sweat,


    and tears that I put into making tonight happen.


    With a determined smile, I wipe away my tears and nod. “You’re both right. I should wear the dress.


    And I should go out there and enjoy the party I’ve worked so hard for.” Content of Drаm??ovels.cоm


    Chloe nods, her eyes scanning me. “Yes I am, Leah. It’s time for a makeover.”