Bye My Stepbrother 4

And it had never occurred to her that her boyfriend’s fiancee

would show up at her door. The worst part was, she had no

right to be angry at all.

All kinds of indescribable emotions, ranging from

embarrassment to grievances, overwhelmed her at once.

She was with Roderick first. How come she felt like a

homewrecker?

She smiled bitterly, feeling somehow glad that her relationship

with Roderick had always remained a secret.

Thanks to that, she got to face Matilda as Roderick’s sister

instead of being totally humiliated.

Forcing herself to calm down, she said, “I’m sorry, Ms. Turner. I

didn’t know“”

Matilda smiled, a bit shy.

“No worries. This is on Roderick–how could he hide such an

important thing from his sister?

“We’ll soon be family, and I’ll treat you like my own sister.”

Matilda saw Andrea’s pale face but didn’t say anything about it.

Instead, she pointed at the flowers on the shelves and said, “I’ll

take them all. Bring them to the Stardust Hotel. Roderick is

having a welcome party for me there. Andie, could you bring

them over yourself? I’ll be glad to see you join our party. And I’m

sure Roderick will be very happy to see you, too.””

Would he?

Matilda took Andrea’s silence as a yes.

“Don’t be late, Andie.”

After saying this, she took a thick stack of bills from her wallet,

placed them on the counter, and turned to leave.

Andrea felt all her strength drained away as she watched.

Matilda disappear into the distance.

She closed her eyes, trying her best to pull herself together.

She said to herself, “You’ve already known the truth, right?

“Roderick is just your stepbrother. Of course, he’ll marry

someone else one day.”

She thought she had psyched herself up already.

Yet, it still surprised her to see this day had come so soon.

After calming down, she decided to go to the hotel anyway.

Since she’d face the harsh truth eventually, she might as well

deal with it now.

She decorated the cart with flowers with a heart–shaped

centerpiece of 999 roses, surrounded by white tulips. The stark

contrast of colors made the display even more eye–catching.

She, more than anyone, knew Roderick’s preferences the most.

After all, she was responsible for taking care of those flowers in

his study every day. She was confident that he’d love this

display.

She arrived at the hotel with the cart and saw a lot of guests,

mostly Roderick’s friends.

She recognized some of them.

They had said on the phone that day that they wanted to have

fun with her and watch those videos.

They knew about her relationship with Roderick as well as

those shameful secrets. The second she saw them, the intimate

moments she had spent with Roderick came flooding back to

her uncontrollably.

She decided to pretend not to see them and stride away.

Yet, the hotel manager walked toward her quickly, saying,

“You’re here to deliver the flowers, right? Push the cart onto the

stage when the guy proposes.”

She clutched her sleeves tightly, thinking, “Fine. I’m here

already. Why not?”

The hotel manager arranged for her to rest in the waiting area.

Looking around, she noticed the lavishly decorated ballroom

and remembered those fantasies she had once harbored.

Back then, she had asked Roderick, “Everyone will be so

surprised when they know we’re together, right?

“Though I’m yours already, don’t ever think you can skip any

romantic gestures.”

Stroking her face, Roderick had smiled affectionately, appearing

to love her deeply.

“Of course. I promise I’ll hold the most grand, romantic

ceremony ever, making everyone envious.”