Chapter 2

I hadn't walked far when Jonathan's car pulled up in front of me.

He rolled down the window and said, "I knew you were upset. Alright, you don't have to apologize, okay?

"Honestly, why are you jealous of Emily and her kid? They've lost my brother.

"I came here just for you. Get in."

I didn't bother saying anything and headed straight for the passenger seat.

When I opened the door, Emily was already sitting there.

She raised an eyebrow, giving me an apologetic look as she said, "Sorry, Victoria. I'm not feeling well today, so I took the front seat. Would you mind sitting in the back?"

Jonathan looked at me nervously, ready to defend Emily.

Normally, I would have frowned and flat-out refused.

I'd always argue for my spot in the front seat. After all, that was supposed to be the wife's place.

But today, I didn't say a word. I only quietly slid into the back seat.

The visa office was 11 miles from downtown, and it was tough to get a cab.

Since he was willing to pick me up, I'd treat him like my free chauffeur.

Jonathan looked a bit surprised, and turned his head, with his lips moving as if he wanted to say something to me.

But Emily cut in, "Jonathan, the car behind us is honking. Let's go."

I closed my eyes, not sure how much time had passed, until the car finally stopped.

When I opened my eyes, we were parked outside a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Seeing me frown, Jonathan smiled and said, "Emily noticed you were upset about the green card stuff, so she wanted to treat you to dinner and make it up to you."

I replied with a frosty tone, "No thanks. I want to go home."

But Jonathan smiled and gently tugged me out of the car. "Be good, okay? Later, Emily and I will walk you through the whole marriage thing."

I sat down with an expressionless face.

All night, I watched the three of them acting like one big happy family.

At one point, Emily playfully handed her steak to Jonathan, pouting as she asked him to cut it for her.

Then Henry started whining, begging Jonathan to feed him.

I was running out of patience. "If you've got something to say, get to the point now."

Jonathan drawled, "Let me pour myself some red wine first."

We had just finished ordering when Henry suddenly spilled the red wine.

Emily gasped in surprise.

Jonathan hurriedly said to me, "Victoria, I'll take Henry to the restroom to clean up his clothes. Just wait for me."

Emily shot me a smug look, and then pulled Jonathan away.

I waited for a whole hour but they never showed up.

Instead, the restaurant manager came over, politely saying, "Miss, we're closing for the night. Could you please settle your bill? It's 150 thousand dollars."

I was stunned.

The next second, Jonathan shot me a text: [You're making things difficult for Emily and Henry, and you still won't apologize. Honestly, it's because I've spoiled you way too much.

[Now your cards are frozen. You're stranded here with no cash. Let's see if you finally swallow your pride and say sorry.]

The manager noticed I was sitting there, clutching my phone in silence, and raised his voice, urging me to pay. "Miss, please settle your bill."

All around, people started whispering and laughing under their breath.

"If she can't afford it, why bother coming here? She's making her country look bad."

"Poor folks like her should get out of here and go back home."

Everyone was staring at me, mocking, like they'd slapped me in the face.

My phone kept buzzing nonstop.

Jonathan's message popped up again: [Victoria, apologize to Emily and admit you were wrong. Promise you'll never bring this up again, or you'll be locked up in the restaurant, or hauled off to jail.]

I read his message with a blank face. Then I looked up and spoke smoothly in English.