The Wrong Woman

Candice took Elio's arm as they pulled away from each other. She confidently led him toward the living room and said, "Josie's here. Let's go join her."

Josie couldn't help but notice the smile on Elio's face and the intimate way he had hugged Candice. She felt a sense of unfamiliarity creeping in. This was a side of Elio she had never seen before.

Elio's eyes were filled with tenderness as he looked at Candice, his voice soft and gentle as he spoke to her. Josie wasn't the only one taken aback. Michaela and Tristan also looked surprised.

Michaela watched as Candice and Elio walked over, arm in arm. She casually asked, "Just finished work?"

Elio's expression tightened and he responded with a subdued hum.

The duo settled onto the couch opposite Josie and Michaela. Candice intertwined her fingers with Elio's.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Tristan found it intriguing and asked, "Wasn't the event supposed to go until 9:00 pm tonight?"

"The main event's done. I skipped the after-party," Elio replied.

"Marriage truly changes things. When you have someone special waiting at home, you find yourself wanting to return earlier," Tristan remarked.

Josie's expression darkened at his words.

Michaela gave an awkward smile and said pointedly, "It's unusual to see you home early. Did you rush back for dinner because Josie's here?"

"I didn't know she was coming," Elio replied curtly. He unwittingly embarrassed Josie to the core with just that sentence.

After the maids finished preparing dinner, Robert called everyone to the dining table. Candice took Elio's hand and led him toward the bathroom.

Michaela stood up, asking, "Dinner's ready. Where are you two off to?"

Candice turned and explained, "I'm taking Elio to wash up, Michaela."

Michaela responded with a resigned smile.

As Tristan and Michaela walked alongside each other toward the dining room, he remarked, "He follows her like a lost puppy. He's getting drawn into her world soon."

"Exactly. He's reverting to a child again." Michaela sighed.

"Candice may not be chatty, but her infectious energy always brings life to the house," Tristan added thoughtfully.

"Her cheerfulness and laughter liven things up." Michaela agreed.

"And Leo seems to have found his smile with her."

Tristan's words made Michaela go silent all of a sudden.

Josie was trailing behind Michaela and Tristan with an unmistakable expression of displeasure. She struggled to contain her simmering anger.

Josie knew that Michaela and Tristan disapproved of Candice's decision to marry Elio, but they bore no ill will toward Candice. In fact, they were quite fond of her. It left Josie uncertain about her next move.

As everyone gathered around the dinner table and began discussing the economy, Candice naturally felt left out of the conversation.

Candice noticed that Elio had lost his appetite and was eating with a sullen expression. It was a stark contrast to his usually lively demeanor during meals with her. She figured that the oppressive atmosphere of the house was dampening his spirits.

She placed a piece of meat on Elio's plate and leaned in to whisper. "Elio, I've got a joke for you."

Elio couldn't help but smile even before hearing it and responded, "You've got a joke for me?"

Candice nodded and said, "But you've got to eat while you listen."

Elio grinned, lowering his head to dig into the meal and the meat she had served him. "Alright, go ahead," he said eagerly.

Candice swallowed her food and took a sip of water to clear her throat, then leaned against Elio's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Once upon a time, a lamb invited a puppy over for dinner and served a table full of fresh hay.

"The puppy nibbled hesitantly at the food but couldn't bring itself to eat much. A few days later, the puppy invited the lamb to dinner. Determined to be more generous, the puppy planned to serve the lamb the most lavish feast possible.

"So, the puppy prepared a table laden with juicy spare ribs."

After finishing her story, Candice blinked expectantly as if hoping for approval of her joke.

Seeing her endearing expression and hearing her "joke", Elio couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the dining table.