Chapter 48 Just Like Old Times

+8 Pearls

Zayden looked down at the metal box in his hands. It was worn and old–bclearly /bsomething that had been around for years.

If Eliza hadn’t said anything, he never would’ve guessed that she’d collected so many photos of him–let alone stored them so carefully.

“Eliza, bactually/b..”

“We’re already over, right? So onest hug shouldn’t be a big deal

She opened her arms with a faint smile.

Zayden didn’t refuse. He leaned forward and hugged her.

bFrom /boutside the attic, Naomi–fresh from the bathroom–froze in her tracks the moment she spotted them.

Her expression darkened instantly.

“Zayden!”

Startled by her voice, Zayden released Eliza and turned. “Naomib?/b”

Naomi stepped into the attic, immediately clinging to Zayden’s arm with a bright, unaffected smile. “What are you two doing up here? Dinner’s ready–we should head down.”

Eliza just shrugged. “I was giving Zayden something, that’s all.”

“What was it? Can I see?”

“No.”

Zayden cut her off without hesitation.

Naomi’s smile faltered for a split second..

Eliza said nothing–but this was all part of her n.

Zayden didn’t know that the attic faced the upstairs bathroom. Naomi would’ve seen them the second she stepped out.

In her past life, something just like bthis /bhad happened too. Years after she married Zayden, Naomi had returned from abroad, pulled the exact same move in the same setting.

Now, Eliza was simply returning the favor.

Downstairs, Nathan and Evelyn were chatting enthusiastically with Grace.

The families had always gotten along, but now–since Zayden and Naomi were to be engaged–they were closer than ever.

“I always said it–Zayden and Naomi are perfect for each other,” Evelyn gushed,pletely bignoring /bthe fact that Eliza sat right there.

Eliza didn’t breact/b. She kept her head down and quietly ate her food, letting Evelyn’s words wash over her like meaningless.

Let themugh now.

Next year, when the Holt family goes bbankrupt/b, we’ll see who’sughing.

The clinking of Eliza’s utensils drew nces bher way/b.

To smooth things over, Grace offered, “Why don’t we do candles first? It’s Naomi’s birthday, after all.”

Everyone gathered around the cake.

Chapter 48 Just Like Old Times

Naomi, surrounded and adored, looked every bit the birthday princess.

Eliza stood across from them,pletely out of ce.

“bCan /bbyou /btake a picture for us?” bNaomi /bhanded her the phone, smile bright and sweet.

bGrace /badded warmly, “Yes, bEliza/b–help us take a photo.”

Eliza took the phone and fiddled with it for a moment. Then she looked up at Zayden.

“Zayden. I’m not sure how to work this. Can you help?”

Without hesitation, Zayden walked over to stand beside her.

The two of them exchangedments back and forth while figuring out the phone together.

Naomi’s face stiffened.

Her fiancé and his ex–bfiancée /bhuddled close, and no one seemed to think it was a problem.

Nathan band /bEvelyn began to frown as well.

Eliza caught their reactions but pretended not to see.

After all, back when she was the one engaged to Zayden, Naomi had done far worse–and no one had said a word.

Evelyn snapped, “Eliza, it’s just a phone. Can’t you figure it out yourself? Why bother Zayden?”

“Sorry. Mom. Naomi’s phone is so nice–I’ve never used one like it.”

The sarcasm was obvious.

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Growing up, she’d only ever had Naomi’s hand–meb–/bdowns. Naomi, on the other hand, always got thetest models.

Evelyn’s expression darkened at the veiled jab.

Nathan added with disapproval, “Eliza, you should be more aware. Zayden’s Naomi’s fiancé now. Don’t rely on him for every little thing”

“Oh? Sorry, Naomi. I just figured you wouldn’t mind. After all, when I was engaged to Zayden, you two were balways /bholding hands like it was nothing.”

Naomi’s face flushed red.

Back then, she bhad /bdeliberately gotten close to Zayden, bknowing /bexactly what she was doing. The adults might’ve acted clueless, but it was clear what she was after.

Evelyn said nothing–partly out of embarrassment, partly out of bias,

Nathan looked buneasy/b, and Grace.. she saw right through Naomi’s act

Once Eliza figured out the phone, Zayden realized how awkward it was for her to be the only one taking the photo.

He suggested, “Didn’t your house bhave /ba tripod? We could all take one together.”

That made Naomi even more ufortable. “That old tripod… might not work anymore.”

“It’s fine. We’ll just set a timer and use it to take the picture.”

“But…”

Naomi had invited bBliza /bback to humiliate her.

Now, it was all backfiring.