Take My Breath Away

It was Hayden's mom, Blanche.

Along with her were Hayden's father, Portia, a middle-aged couple, and a young man.

It looked like some kind of engagement meeting.

Since Blanche called her, Debbie knew she couldn't just run away. "Hi, nice to see you," she said, greeting Hayden's parents politely. She really wanted out of here. Seeing Hayden's family made her think of how he kept hitting on her. It was like he didn't want to believe she was really married, believed that he was entitled to her simply because he wanted her. Whenever he texted, her heart sank like a stone. Sometimes, while talking to him, she threw up in her mouth a bit.

"Why are you here?" asked Portia curtly, looking her up and down. She sounded surprised.

She didn't say it, but her tone told Debbie what she really thought was "Wow, woman, how can you even possibly afford this place?"

"Who is this?" asked the young man. Wearing a blue down jacket, he looked at Debbie the same way Portia had—only difference was he seemed interested. The glint in his eyes disgusted Debbie.

But somehow, the man looked familiar. She just couldn't quite place his face. She racked her brains trying to figure out where she'd seen him, but she couldn't figure it out. 'School? No. Maybe at one of Carlos' meetings? No. Who is this guy?'

"She's nobody. Lewis, Let's go," said Griffin Gu, Hayden's father.

Considering the history between Debbie and the Gu family, he knew nothing good would come out of this chance meeting. He wanted no trouble for anyone and hoped they could leave as soon as possible. However, Blanche wasn't done yet. "Are you here to see Hayden? No can do, sister. He's not here. He's on a date with my daughter-in-law-to-be." Her voice was full of contempt.

'Hayden has a fiancée? But why is he still texting me every day? What a jerk!' Debbie thought to herself. "It's not what you think. I didn't come here for your son. I'm just having dinner with some people," Debbie explained with a smile.

Hearing that Debbie wasn't there for Hayden, Blanche felt embarrassed. Clearly, she had fallen into a pit she dug for herself. To save face, she turned to the aloof woman standing next to her, and said with a fawning smile, "Mrs. Huo, this is my son's ex-girlfriend. My son dumped her years ago, but she still pesters

a friend. We talked," she answered casually.

"Okay. Are you full?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go then." Carlos held Debbie's hand and stood up.

Debbie was speechless. 'Leaving the table as soon as he is stuffed, Carlos is so arrogant.'

Seeing Carlos stand up, the others all followed. Someone took his and Debbie's coats for him. A couple of guests helped them get their coats on, and someone else opened the door for him.

Their enthusiasm made Debbie sick. But not Carlos. Her husband was expressionless, as if he were accustomed to it.

Once they were out of the building, they got into the car. "I'll drop you off at the manor, but I have to go back to the office. It's work." He shrugged, then continued, "Be home late tonight."

"Can't you do it tomorrow?" asked Debbie. It was already 9 p.m. He worked late every day. She was worried.

"I have work to do tomorrow too. If I don't finish up today, I'll just have more work to do tomorrow. I'll leave work as early as I can, okay?" he explained with a smile and then kissed her forehead.

She nodded. "Okay then. Don't be out too late."

The car came to an intersection after it left the underground parking lot. There was a traffic jam. The Emperor slowed down. Debbie looked out the window while Carlos was on the phone talking to Emmett.

Suddenly, she noticed some people pushing each other at the entrance of Alioth Building. There were men and women. The woman in a black overcoat looked familiar, though. After she pushed a man and turned around, Debbie saw her face.