Chapter 2

I had been observing Jaxon for a few days. He went to work and came home as usual. At the end of the month, he handed over all the money on his card to me for safekeeping, just like he always did.

There was no difference from the past. Gradually, I began to feel relieved and blamed myself for overthinking.

I tucked that shopping receipt into my diary and jotted down my feelings at that moment.

Everything seemed to be back to normal.

At the end of the month, I received a birthday invitation from my college roommate, Cathy Williams.

Cathy was well-known in our dormitory during college for being a rich girl. Her family was in the mining business, and she would inherit the family business.

Her birthday celebration was bound to be grand. The venue was set at Gentlwin House.

I rummaged through my closet and found the best dress I had. After some hesitation, I went to the mall and bought a delicate necklace as a birthday gift.

Gentlwin House was extremely luxurious in its decoration. Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, every detail exuded the scent of money.

In the private room, Cathy was dressed in a high-end gown, radiant and shining like a proud princess.

Besides Cathy and me, the other roommates had also arrived.

Vivian, who was now the executive of a foreign company, was dressed in a business suit, looking efficient and neat.

Lucia, who had married a rich guy, was a full-time housewife. She wore a diamond ring as big as a pigeon's egg on her hand, which was dazzling.

Cici, who had started her business and opened a beauty salon, was doing very well. She was dressed in all brand-name clothes.

Compared with them, I, as a supervisor in the company with a meager salary, seemed a bit out of place.

"Hey, Elowen, you're finally here," Cathy greeted me warmly, pulling me to sit beside her. "Come on, sit down. We've been waiting for you."

We were all excited to see each other and started chatting enthusiastically.

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation gradually shifted to our recent lives.

Vivian had been promoted and got a raise. Lucia was pregnant with her second child. Cici's beauty salon had opened a branch.

Everyone seemed to be living a bright and successful life. Only I was still the same, plain and uneventful.

"Elowen, how about you? How have you been recently?" Cathy asked me with concern.

"Not bad," I smiled awkwardly.

"Still working at that company?" Cici interjected, patting my hand.

I nodded.

"Elowen, back in school, you were the best. You had the best grades and the strongest abilities. How come you're in this situation now?" Vivian shook her head, looking helpless.

"Yeah, Elowen, we all thought you would achieve great things," Lucia agreed.

I knew they were right.

In college, I was indeed the most shining one in the crowd.

But now, I had become the most inconspicuous one among them.

"Oh, right, Elowen, where's your boyfriend? Why didn't you bring him for us to meet?" Cathy suddenly asked.

"He's busy with work and doesn't have time," I hesitated and said.

Jaxon never attended any of my gatherings, so I didn't even ask him this time.

"Alright, alright, today is our girls' night out. Let's not talk about men. I didn't invite anyone else, just our dorm mates. We're going to party until we drop," Cathy raised her glass and changed the subject.

"Happy birthday."

So, we continued to eat and chat. Before we knew it, we had drunk too much.

My head was spinning, and my stomach was churning.

I got up and went to the restroom.

When I came back, I stood in the hallway, wanting to get some fresh air and sober up a bit.

The hallway was quiet, with only the soft music echoing around.

I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes, and tried to calm myself down.

The door of the private room next to me was slightly ajar, and I could hear voices coming from inside.

One of the voices was all too familiar to me.

It was Jaxon's.