Until the very end, when he bit my ear and whispered, "Jill, stop being foolish for my sake."
I didn't understand then.
Later, I realized what he meant.
He didn't think it was worth it—me turning my back on my family for him.
And he didn't need my devotion that badly.
"Miss, we're here."
The driver's voice pulled me back.
The car had stopped outside the courtyard of a well-known private dining club.
The moment I stepped out, I heard a voice calling from the entrance.
"Is that Jill?"
I composed myself and walked in with a smile. "Mrs. Lambert, I'm sorry I'm late."
Nellie Lambert's hair had gone silver at the temples, but her step was steady—a spirited woman who carried her years well.
"I was just giving Jeffrey a hard time," she said. "Why didn't he bring you along when he drove over?"
I smiled and explained, "I've been staying on the east side of the city lately. It's faster to take a cab."
Mrs. Lambert didn't say anything, just tightened her grip on my hand, then pulled me down to sit beside her.
The room buzzed with classmates greeting each other and presenting gifts, the atmosphere lively and warm.
After a few glasses of wine, someone started joking around. "Out of all of us, Jeffrey really has the best luck."
"A genius everyone envied back in school, then made a fortune in business, and even married a sweet, understanding heiress."
Someone pointed at Laura with a grin.
"Look at that—not only does he have a devoted wife at home, he's got a beauty by his side at work too!"
Laura, mid-motion placing food in Jeffrey's bowl, paused her chopsticks and shot the speaker a mock-angry glare.
"What do you all know? Jeffrey is my boss—my meal ticket! Of course I'm going to suck up to him!"
"Besides, I don't think Jeffrey's luck is all that great. If we're talking lucky, that's Jill."
"She's a real trophy wife now. All she has to do is tend her flowers and play with the dog at home, and she's got money to burn. No in-laws to serve, no one nagging her about having kids! Talk about picking the right stock back in the day."
As she finished, a few classmates around the table chimed in with agreement.
I kept my head down, eating in silence.
Mrs. Lambert set down her chopsticks gently. She was still smiling, but her voice had turned several degrees cooler.
"That's not quite fair to say."