Chapter 2: The Third Wheel

Just before getting off work, I received a call from Adrian Cole.

"Class reunion tonight, you're coming too, don't embarrass me, dress nicely."

For the sake of his career, he didn't want to lose face in front of others or ruin his image as the perfect man.

So he often made me play the part of a superficially loving couple.

This time, I could hardly continue the act.

Yet he still notified me in a commanding tone.

Half an hour later, he called again, "Why did you leave first? Didn't I tell you to wait?"

"I need to go home and change clothes, right?"

"Such a hassle, what's the point of getting all dolled up at your age?"

Adrian hung up, impatiently.

Yes, I'm almost thirty, I've given him my best years, and now he thinks I'm old.

I deliberately dressed very plainly, waiting for him to pick me up.

As expected, Adrian showed displeasure on his face.

"Didn't you change your clothes? Why are you dressed like a country girl? How can I take you out to meet people like this? Those unaware classmates might think I've mistreated you."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing? I think it's appropriate. Do I have to wear short skirts, stockings, and high heels? Do I also need to show off my back, my chest, and my butt?"

This is the style Emma Hughes loves to wear.

"Ha ha, you don't need to wear that. Do you even have the figure for it? Put on some makeup to hide your wrinkles, didn't I buy you a new dress? Why aren't you wearing it?"

"I can face people barefaced and without makeup, and that slit skirt you bought goes up to the thigh, is it something decent people wear? If you want to wear it, wear it yourself. If you think I'm not presentable, then I just won't go."

Seeing my firm stance, Adrian didn't push me.

In the car, he directly let me sit in the back, while a pink teddy bear was placed on the front passenger seat.

I didn't want to sit in the front anyway; whoever he reserved it for doesn't concern me.

Sure enough, after picking me up, Adrian went to pick up Emma Hughes, all smiles as he opened the car door for her, gentlemanly as a sycophant.

Emma Hughes dressed sexy and dazzling, wearing sunglasses, with a rosy face, ultra-thin black high heels, and the black stockings Adrian's been thinking about.

To my eyes, her flashy attire was full of vulgarity, yet it was evident Adrian liked it very much.

"Oh, Adrian, I can sit in the back."

"You're not feeling well, just sit in the front. The air is better and you won't get car sick. Your sister gave up the seat for you."

Emma feigned reluctance and glanced at me in the back seat, smiling at me.

"Thank you, Miss White."

"Oh dear, this pink teddy bear! So cute! Why does it look familiar? Isn't this the same one we couldn't grab last time?"

Emma exaggeratedly raised the teddy bear, as if afraid I wouldn't see it.

"Yes, I saw how much you liked it that day, but I'm so clumsy I couldn't grab it, so today I paid money to buy it from the owner."

"Oh, Adrian, why did you do that? You must have paid a high price, such a waste, you shouldn't spend money on me."

Adrian laughed, "Money doesn't matter, as long as you like it."

"Adrian, you're too good to me."

These two bantered back and forth, ignoring anyone else, making me feel like the third wheel.

From their conversation, their everyday life and entertainment seemed richer than what I shared with him.

Throughout the journey, they didn't speak a word to me as they chatted and laughed.

The car had various small decorations I'd never seen before; it seemed Emma intentionally showed off, picking up each one to tell a story, her face beaming with happiness.

And the decorations I had bought before, I didn't know where he had thrown them.

Come to think of it, he hadn't used the car to pick me up in a long time.

It was disheartening.

Like these decorations, I was already the one replaced.

When we arrived, Adrian asked me to park the car while he went inside with Emma.

I glared at him.

"What? Emma isn't feeling well, you know she can't be alone? What's wrong with parking the car?"

But Adrian just nonchalantly went in with Emma.

As I parked and reached the door of the private room, I heard voices from inside.

"Yesterday, it was Adrian and Emma, your wedding was truly stunning. It's so enviable! You two suit each other so well, but Adrian, does your wife mind? Do you have to kneel on the washing board when you go back?"

"Yeah, won't your sister-in-law be angry? Let's apologize together."

Adrian carelessly shouted, "Why apologize? She's not so petty, everyone did it to fulfill Emma's dream. It's not real anyway, besides, I'm the head of the household, and I make the decisions. Kneel on the washing board? Ridiculous!"

"Adrian is so domineering!"

"Adrian is awesome! He's trained his wife to be so obedient! Cheers to you!"

Everyone praised Adrian, who didn't respect me at all outside, showcasing his masculinity to the fullest.

Emma, even more righteous, said, "Back then, I went abroad for treatment because of my health, and she took my place. Could she have achieved today's success otherwise? Now I just want to have a wedding with Adrian to fulfill my dream, isn't that okay?"

Others also echoed, toasting Emma.

"Exactly, we all know you've had each other in your hearts for so many years, and she's just taking advantage by chance."

"Alright, don't be angry. We are your CP fans."

This gathering could be dubbed a nest of vipers.

Adrian's classmates and brothers, who superficially called me sister-in-law, in reality didn't treat me seriously at all. Including Adrian and Emma's illicit affair, they often helped cover up, deliberately creating opportunities for them.

Expressionlessly, I pushed the door open and went in.

Suddenly, everyone looked at me, falling silent, and the loudest immediately sat down.

"Oh, sister-in-law is here!"

Emma even got up smiling, wrapped her arm around mine, pulling me to sit next to her.

"Sister-in-law, sit next to me."

She sat right beside Adrian, squeezing in between us.

Came up to toast me.

"Thank you, Adrian, and sister-in-law, for taking care of me for so long, here's to you." she said, pouring me a drink, but I just poured myself a cup of tea.

"I'm allergic to alcohol."

Yet Emma seemed to think I was making excuses, not giving her face.