Chapter 86

Staring at the electronic lock she had chosen herself, Liliana lifted her hand and keyed in the password.

*"Incorrect password."*

The mechanical voice shattered the last of her hope.

The password had been changed.

Nina stared, confused by what she was seeing. "Press the doorbell! Why are you trying to enter a password? You'd think you live here!"

Nina gestured for her to step aside and pressed the bell herself. The large double doors swung open from the inside. Sylvia peeked out, then opened the doors wide when she saw it was them.

"Miss Woods." Nina was unaware of who Sylvia's boyfriend was, but between the online rumors and the multi-million-dollar mansion, she assumed the stories were true. Her attitude toward Sylvia was now even more deferential. No matter how famous she was in the design world, she was still just a designer. Sylvia, on the other hand, was the vice president of Zephyr Group. With Cedric on her arm, her future as a society wife was set. Nina couldn't even begin to compare.

As these thoughts ran through her mind, she noticed Liliana standing stiffly beside her. "Liliana," she hissed, "say hello to Miss Woods."

The doorway felt like a portal between two worlds. Seeing Sylvia standing there in casual loungewear, looking so completely at ease, Liliana felt a storm of emotions swelling in her chest, so intense it was hard to breathe.

"We all know each other. No need for formalities," Sylvia said with a faint smile, ushering them inside. "My boyfriend is particular about cleanliness, so please put on these shoe covers."

Nina went first, slipping on the covers while her eyes darted around the entryway. "Miss Woods, this painting is gorgeous! Is that a pair of wedding rings? They look so familiar, are they a limited edition?"

The painting was a charcoal sketch Liliana had drawn herself. It was of her and Cedric's wedding rings. They weren't a famous limited edition; she had picked them from a small, wiche brand, ensuring they were one of a kind. The reason they looked familiar to Nina was that the woman's ring was on Liliana's own ring finger. She had been so focused on the divorce that she'd forgotten to take it off. Cedric had never once worn his.

Now, the ring felt like it was searing her skin, a brand of shame. She instinctively tucked her hand into her sleeve. She was a complete joke.

"No," Sylvia said, her eyes flicking over Liliana's face with a half-smile. "I'm not sure where my boyfriend got it. I don't like it, actually. I was planning on throwing it out."

Nina was shocked. "But a painting like this must be worth a fortune! You're just going to throw it away? Will your boyfriend be okay with that?" Nina knew nothing about art, but she assumed the wealthy didn't buy cheap things.

Sylvia shrugged. "I'm the one who's going to live here. If there's something I don't like, he'll get rid of it. And if he doesn't, I will, and he won't stop me."

The double meaning in her words made Liliana's grip on her bag

tighten. She bent down to adjust her shoe covers. While she was distracted,

Sylvia pelfed Nipa aside

and whispered, My boyfriend here, but he's a very private person. Please don't let on that you know about us. Just pretend you don't."

"Of course!" Nina made a zipping motion across her lips.

Liliana finished with her shoe covers and followed them into the house. As they passed through the

entryway

screen the familiar

color-blocked design hit her

like a physical blow. With every

glance, her eyes burned with unshed tears.

Then, her gaze met the man sitting in the living room, and a mist instantly clouded her vision.

Cedric was lounging on the sofa, legs crossed, the picture of casual indifference. When he saw her, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.