The Wrong Woman

Josie looked somewhat taken aback. "Candice, you're here too?"

Elio asked, "Is there something you need to talk to me about?"

Josie forced a smile. "I wanted to discuss our wedding next month. Mrs. Hoffis has been pressuring me, and I had no idea what to do. I thought we could talk it over."

Candice felt a wave of anxiety washing over her, and she nervously clenched her fists.

Turning to Candice, Josie smiled and asked, "Candice, I wish to talk to Leo for a moment. Could you...?"

Candice quickly responded, "I have something to attend to. You two talk, I'll head out."

Just as she finished her words and was about to leave, Elio grabbed her wrist. "You don't need to go. Stay and listen."

Candice was stunned.

Josie's face darkened, and she said in embarrassment, "Leo, this isn't appropriate. This is between the two of us. Candice is an outsider."

Elio replied solemnly, "She's not an outsider. She's my wife."

Candice was shocked by his words. Josie was even more so. Both women stared at Elio in disbelief.

Candice felt overwhelmed. Had she just become his wife so quickly?

Josie awkwardly forced a smile and asked, "Are you... are you two really together now?"

Candice still felt like she was dreaming.

Elio calmly replied, "Yes, we decided on our marriage just a moment ago."

Josie's smile was strained, but she forced out a congratulations.

"Let's talk on the couch," Elio said, leading Candice to sit down.

Josie followed and sat with a heavy sigh. "My relatives have already received the wedding invitations. They've been calling to congratulate us. Mrs. Hoffis came over today and insisted that the wedding must go on. She said she'd drag you to the altar if necessary and asked me to be rest assured."

Elio asked, "What's your thought on it?"

Josie glanced at Candice and said helplessly, "What can I do? I've been your girlfriend for so many years. I'm in a tough spot."

Elio quickly looked at Candice and whispered, "Our relationship was fake. She was never my girlfriend."

Candice, still dazed, nodded quickly, feeling unexpectedly valued.

Josie forced a stiff smile, trying to remain calm, and teased, "Leo, seriously? You've just confirmed your relationship and you're already this defensive?"

Candice smiled awkwardly, finding the situation surreal. Here she was, listening to Elio and Josie discuss a wedding that was never real, forced upon them by their families.

Elio turned to Josie and said, "I'm

9

truly sorry. My poor decision back then put you in this awkward situation will compensate you financially, but I won't attend the wedding. If you don't want to be humiliated, I suggest you don't attend either."

Josie's face filled with worry. "What about my parents? They'll become the laughingstock of everyone."

"We've made our stance clear. If they insist on making a scene, it's their fault," Elio replied firmly.

Josie felt a deep sense of

disappointment. She had been

looking forward to this wedding.

Even if Elo wouldn't come, she was

determined to be there. What

itContent bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

against all odds, his family forced him to show up and complete the ceremony?

"Are you not afraid of driving your parents to their graves?" Josie asked.

Elio replied, "They've been prepared for this for a long time. They won't die that easily."