*Three years ago"
"Good evening, darling. Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?"
"Oh yes, I'd love to. But are you sure you have time?"
Sandy had just finished a day finishing two chapters of her current novel when Georges called to ask her out.
"You know I always have time for you."
"So, are we finally going to be able to have a serious discussion about the two of us?"
"Anything you want."
The evening was going wonderfully. And they'd been dating for two or three months now without her knowing anything important about him.
"We need to talk, George."
"Yes, of course. Wait, I'll be right back. I'm going to the bathroom."
As he left, his phone vibrated and his wife's name appeared on the screen.
"His wife." ?!
She hung up and heard the message on the answering machine.
Georges came back, all smiles, before seeing her get up and grab her purse.
"What are you doing?"
"Why am I leaving? Do you have something to tell me? Like the fact that you're married? Besides, she just called, but I decided not to answer so as not to upset her by explaining that I'm her husband's mistress."
"Listen..."
"No, don't worry. I'm fine. It's mainly for her that I feel sorry. It's your wedding anniversary, and her husband is with his mistress. She married a bastard. And I thought he was a bastard. So now I advise you to make up for it quickly if you don't want to lose her. All things considered, it would be better if you lost her, as if you'd realize her worth.
As she walked toward the exit, she was caught by him, who turned her around and looked at her with a hard expression.
"You should have expected it. A man like me would never make a woman like you his wife. You're way too basic."
"Basic? Oh really? Well, I'm sorry if I don't measure up to your choice of women."
"You were just a backup, and you played it well..."
The slap went away on its own, and so did the tears. She had just slapped him with all the anger she felt and turned to go home without once looking back, unaware that their argument had been filmed by everyone present.
Since that day, she had cut off all contact with him and revealed everything about herself to her family and her husband.
Sandy woke up to a light tap on her shoulder and turned to her friend.
"We're here."
- How long did I sleep for to have this unpleasant nightmare?
- What did you dream about?
- George.
- Then yes, it was indeed a nightmare. It took us thirty minutes.
- Thirty minutes of driving for those people? They're not even worth it.
- I know. But don't forget, we're just here to be polite and not to make a fuss.
- I don't have the energy to make one.
Getting out of her car, Aurora decided to adopt a fake-friendly smile. Charlotte ran over to hug her with all the fake cheer she could muster. She was wearing a short pink dress that barely reached her knees and ten-centimeter heels. She was adorned from head to toe in expensive jewelry and stepped back to better display herself.
Jasper remained on the porch, but he was scrutinizing the scene with a watchful eye, as if fearing any harmful action on his part. Aurora chuckled to herself at the sight and decided not to comment.
"I'm so glad to have you back with us, my dear cousin. Why didn't you come see me as soon as you landed, or even call me?"
"I thought you'd be busy. Like, planning your wedding, right?"
"Oh, I see you've heard about my engagement. Indeed, the wedding is next month. I hope you'll be with us then."
"Of course, I'm just waiting for the invitation. Hello, Jasper. My cousin has spoken so much about you. I also heard that you had an accident and temporarily lost your memory. I'm so sorry for you. But there's little happiness in all that."
"Thank you for your support." Jasper, this is my cousin Aurora. She just arrived from...
"From France. Why don't we go in and get to know each other better? In fact, I'd like to introduce you to my best friend..."
"The infamous Sandy Farrell. Ever since your infamous scandal," Jasper replied, turning to invite them in. "Indeed, I prefer to talk inside."
Sandy gave him a cold look before whispering in her friend's ear.
"I was starting to feel for him, but right now, I regret even knowing him."
"Don't pay him any attention, he has amnesia and is therefore totally different."
"That doesn't give him the right to treat me like that. To treat us like that."
"Don't worry. We won't be here long."
Charlotte followed her husband and ordered one of the maids to set the table and
The meal. Aurora noticed there was one extra seat and tried to speak before noticing she was sitting next to Jasper and across from her cousin.
"I told you to seat my cousin at the other end of the table..."
"I asked her to seat her next to me, don't blame her."
"And why is that, darling?"
"Does that bother you?"
"No...not at all...I just wanted to know why..."
"Come on, do you have to show off like that in front of our guests?"
Everyone except Jasper turned around to see whose voice that was coming from nowhere belonged to.
"Nice to have you back, brother."