Clara was stunned. She covered her face as she silently cried. They had only known each other for a few months and yet he had already decided to marry Rea. He must really love her.
She directed her gaze on the ceiling in a daze and with a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, "This is good. At least… at least you’ll be happy."
At the engagement banquet, Clara waited for the crowd, who wanted to give a congratulatory gift around Ian turned to leave, before stepping forward with a small gift in her hands.
She had rehearsed this moment in her mind countless times. However, now that she was standing before him, her throat felt dry and the words she had prepared to say felt logged in her throat.
She forced herself to meet his eyes, she managed to whisper, "Brother, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."
"This is the first time you've called me 'brother' since my mom adopted you." Ian's voice carried a hint of surprise as he looked down at Clara, his dark eyes were unreadable.
Then he added, "You can save those words and say it for the wedding banquet."
A wedding banquet?
She probably wouldn’t even be around for that.
Clara lowered her gaze while staring at the tip of her shoes. She muttered a vague response before escaping as quickly as she could.
Ian did not seem to care. He simply turned back and wrapped an arm around Rea’s waist and introduced her thoughtfully to each guest bringing gifts for her.
Clara stood still in a daze. At some point, their figures had disappeared into the crowd.
The engagement party was filled with people who were all businessmen, who liked to socialize.
She recalled how, in the past, Ian had always found a way to sneak away with his date because he knew how much she disliked such social gatherings.
It looked like he still kept the habit.
Clara let out a slow breath and stepped away, seeking a quiet moment on the terrace. However, before she could walk there, she saw Ian and Rea who had hidden there before her.
"Ian, after we get married, can you set up an art studio for me at the Cumberland mansion?" Rea asked. "I want a space that gets lots of sunlight."
She shook Ian's arm in a flirtatious manner. Before long Ian's indulgent voice drifted to her ears, "You don’t have to wait until after the wedding. Tomorrow, I’ll have Clara move out of the attic. The lighting there is perfect, it’ll make a great studio for you."