CHAPTER 86: CRINGE

"Ah, I wouldn’t call it adjusting since I have been pretty much stuck in since we arrived," Patricia admitted, ending with a small laugh directed at Zara. She knew her best friend didn’t fall in love easily, barely at all, but for some reason, she sensed Silas was different from the others. The way he looked at Zara was unlike anything she had seen before, and Patricia silently wished her friend would open her eyes and notice it too.

"Thank you for staying to help my sister," Silas said sincerely, his gaze steady. "As her brother, I feel ashamed to drag you into our family matters, but I truly appreciate your help."

"You don’t have to thank me," Patricia replied softly. "I would do the same for any other woman. I know what it feels like to be in her situation." Her words carried weight, genuine and heartfelt. She thought of Eve as a sister and knew if she told Zara everything, her best friend wouldn’t hesitate to join the mission. Zara, too, had been a victim of cruelty and would never stand by idly.

Zara, however, stood stiffly, her eyes darting between them, irritation simmering. What on earth were they talking about? Since when did Silas and Roman have a sister, and why did Patricia already know about it? Patricia never kept things from her, yet here she was, calmly discussing secrets in Zara’s presence as though she didn’t matter. Zara clenched her jaw. Fine. She would wait until Patricia spilled everything, but the longer she stayed in the dark, the more it burned. Regardless, she was going to enjoy the leave she finally got from her douchebag of a boss. That damned boss wouldn’t agree to a leave even if you were on a sick bed but just a phone call from Roman and he gave in instantly.

"Enough of this sappy, cringe talk!" Zara suddenly snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the air. She spun on Silas, glaring. "We need to eat. Where can we find a decent restaurant around here?"

"There are plenty of good ones," Silas replied calmly. "Depends on what you are craving. I can take you both around. Let’s go."

"What? No..." Zara started, her irritation bubbling higher, but Patricia cut her off quickly.

"Please do," Patricia said brightly, then turned and winked at Zara.

Zara froze, her annoyance doubling. A wink? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was Patricia actually trying to play matchmaker? The thought made her skin crawl.

"I will be joining you," a voice suddenly cut in from behind.

They all turned.

Zara’s expression twisted instantly, annoyance flaring into anger the moment her eyes landed on Roman and the woman clinging beside him. Silas’s shoulders seemed to relax at the sight of his brother, while Patricia’s face went blank, unreadable.

"We actually..." the woman beside Roman interjected, leaning closer to him, as if they couldn’t already see her clearly enough.

"Oh, wonderful," Zara sneered, her voice dripping venom. "Another chick. It must be nice to be wanted by every woman who crosses your path." She rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t stay there.

Before the tension exploded, Silas jumped in quickly. "Let’s go."

Patricia, eager to get away from Roman’s presence, immediately seized Zara by the wrist and tugged her along, dragging her before she could fire off anything harsher.

"And you just let him walk all over you?" Zara’s voice rang out, cutting through the air. "Kay told us everything—how you were frightened and dropped everything just to come see him. And this is how he repays you? Cheating right in your face? It’s absurd. Even in a marriage without love, there should at least be mutual respect!" As always, Zara didn’t bother lowering her voice, making sure those behind them could hear every word.

The woman beside Roman arched a brow, curiosity flashing in her eyes. Was Zara referring to Roman? She had asked him about it earlier, but instead of giving her a straight answer, he had brushed it off. Could it be true? Were they married?

"I will ask for a divorce once we leave this city," Patricia said suddenly, her tone firm.

Roman’s gaze snapped to her, his jaw tightening. Divorce again. Just when he thought he had convinced her otherwise, here she was, still clinging to the idea, all because she assumed he was cheating?

"That’s what you always say," Zara cut in, frustration plain in her voice. "It’s never now. Always later." With a sigh, she turned away, clearly tired of Patricia’s indecisiveness.

Patricia said nothing. She knew Zara’s irritation wasn’t just about Roman; it was directed at her too. Words weren’t enough anymore, only actions would prove her resolve.

When they reached the parked cars, Silas spoke up. "Miss Zara, you will ride with me."

Too drained to argue, Zara only cast Patricia a long look before heading toward his car.

"Erm, could I... ride with Roman?" The woman with Roman, Violet, asked Patricia, stepping closer. Patricia frowned, confused. Why was she asking her? Her gaze flicked toward Roman, but he was already walking to his car without Violet. Clearly, he had no intention of letting her ride with him. Bold of him to assume Patricia would take that seat.

"Of course. I will ride with Kay." Patricia smiled politely, though it never reached her eyes. Violet thanked her quickly, relief in her voice.

Patricia slipped into Kay’s car without a word. Kay, assuming it was all part of some plan, didn’t question her and started the engine.

Meanwhile, in the driver’s seat of his own car, Roman waited. But when the door opened, that scent told him immediately it wasn’t Patricia. Foolish of him to think she would willingly ride with him. He clenched his jaw but forced himself not to react. Pushing her further right now would only harden her anger.

Through his window, he caught sight of Kay’s car pulling out. She was gone.

"This is such a nice car," Violet gushed as she settled in, eager to spark conversation. But the Roman she had met in his room earlier, the one who had humored her chatter, was gone. His silence was icy, his aura cold. Violet bit her lip, realizing the warmth she had counted on was no longer there. Still, she wasn’t ready to give up. If there was even a chance of becoming his girlfriend, she wasn’t letting go so easily.

The ride dragged on for thirty minutes, circling the city until they finally found a spot that served what she had been craving.