Chapter 8: 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqnV3HFDRY
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbTRKWBLL9
"Hello," Irina greeted everyone with a gentle smile as she sat beside Sara.
The room buzzed with lighthearted conversation and laughter. But amidst it all, Wanston leaned forward.
“Irina, can you come with me?” he asked softly, almost nervously.
“Of course, Wanston.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLLGdEjZZ9
She turned to the others. “Excuse us for a moment.”
He led her outside to his car under the night sky. The breeze was cool, filled with whispers of old trees.
Wanston opened the passenger door and reached inside.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uB0z62Aey
“Last time, I didn’t expect you to come to the party... and I didn’t get to give you anything.”
He pulled out a massive bouquet—deep red roses, soft white lilies, and baby's breath wrapped in satin.
“Here.”
Irina's eyes widened, then glowed with delight.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyV5UyErax
“Oh, Wanston... Thank you. You didn’t have to.”
Her smile lit up her entire face.
But before she could say more, Stephen’s voice rang out sharply from the doorway.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5WBMJ9XKz
“Dinner has been served. We're waiting for you two.”
“We’re coming!” Irina called out cheerfully.
They returned inside.
“Let me put these flowers in my room first,” she said.
“Of course,” Wanston replied, watching her with interest.
In her room, she gently placed the bouquet in a crystal vase by the window. She ran her fingers over the petals.
“They’re beautiful…” she whispered, smiling.
She rejoined the table, taking her seat next to Sara. Wanston’s eyes immediately found hers, a small smile playing on his lips.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw9EiwmUQv
Stephen noticed. His jaw clenched. Fury burned in his eyes.
Across the table, Nikolai sipped his wine slowly, watching the unfolding tension with amusement.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDpu0EtxJL
He smirked.
The evening eventually came to an end.
“It was a lovely night,” Mr. Hale said warmly.
“Thank you for having us,” added Mrs. Hale.
“The pleasure is ours,” Victor replied.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiTnhL64Kp
“I’m sure our children will get along well in the future.”
At the doorway, Wanston took Irina’s hand and kissed it gently.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcP07JTs2m
“Goodbye, Irina. Take care.”
She blushed.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS5ZGM1TeT
“You too,” she whispered.
Then Nikolai stepped closer, lowering his voice.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBOaDSBUYx
“Goodbye, little missy,” he whispered into her ear, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Irina turned to him, narrowing her eyes. He only chuckled.
Victor looked around.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOGKNqi3w4
“Where’s Stephen?”
“He went to his room, dear,” Mrs. Hale replied.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVA3RElS6f
“You know he wasn’t feeling well tonight.”
“Still, he could’ve at least said goodbye…” Victor muttered.
Later that night, Irina entered her room, still humming softly, her heart light.
But the smile dropped from her face.
Standing beside the vase, staring at the flowers, was Stephen.
“Stephen? What are you doing in my room?”
He didn’t answer right away. He looked at the flowers with disdain.
“So… this is what he gave you?”
“Yes,” Irina replied, uncertain.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKCJsmZXPK
“He did.”
Stephen scoffed.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcAo0q91EW
“What a cheap move. Flowers?”
Irina said, "Huh," voice firm.
Stephen stepped closer.
“Do you remember I’m allergic to flowers?” he asked, smiling coldly.
Before she could react, he snatched the vase.
“Stephen—!”
He turned, opened the window, and flung the bouquet out into the darkness.
“Sorry, Irina,” he said with mock sadness. Then he walked out, leaving the door open behind him.
Irina stood frozen. Her eyes welled up with tears. She walked to the window, looking down at the crushed petals on the ground.
In his room, Stephen sat in the dark, a twisted smile spreading across his face.
“I’ll destroy everything that bastard gives you, Irina... because I love watching you suffer,” he whispered to himself.
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