Jason glanced between me and Ava, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. But after a beat, he followed Ava inside without another word. I took a deep breath, mentally telling myself to stay calm, and followed them.
We sat at a table together, and the tension in the air was thick. Jason suddenly started serving me food, most of it being dishes I used to love. But now, looking at them, I felt nothing but disgust.
"Emma, try this. It's your favorite shrimp paste," he said, trying to sound cheerful.
He smiled at me like he was trying to please me, but I could see a smug little glint in his eyes. I scoffed and pushed the shrimp paste aside.
"I don’t like it anymore," I snapped.
Ava, always ready to insert herself into the drama, sweetly interrupted, "Jason, I love it. Serve it to me."
Without hesitation, Jason loaded her plate with a generous portion of shrimp paste. Ava took a bite, savoring it while throwing me a look full of challenges.
"Jason, you really brought me out just to watch you two act all lovey-dovey?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Jason finally set down his chopsticks, his patience wearing thin. "Emma, can’t you be a little more understanding? How can you just cancel the wedding like this? Do you know the losses this will cause?"
I raised an eyebrow, my gaze sharp. "Jason, are you worried about money, or are you more concerned about your pathetic little pride?"
His face tightened, and his eyes darted away from mine, unable to meet my gaze.
But Ava, ever the instigator, jumped in, adding more fuel to the fire. "Emma, Jason’s just trying to look out for you. This wedding’s been in the works for so long. Canceling it now? It’ll wreck your reputation."
I laughed, the sound harsh. "My reputation? Do you really think I need you to worry about that? But you, on the other hand, a mistress climbing the ranks and destroying someone else’s relationship—don’t you fear retribution?"
Before Ava could respond, a small child came barreling out of nowhere, running full speed, and collided with a waiter carrying a hot pot. The waiter lost his balance, and in an instant, the boiling soup tipped over, spilling straight toward us.
I barely had time to react when the searing heat blasted into my face.
But in the blink of an eye, Jason pulled Ava close, shielding her with his body.
"Ava, are you okay? Did you get burned?" he asked frantically, holding her protectively.