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Evelyn's POV

The emerald green dress I’ve picked for tonight feels perfect. It hugs my body in all the right places, striking a delicate balance between elegance and allure. The mirror reflects a woman who looks calm and composed on the outside, but beneath the surface, my emotions are a tempest which began since I saw that lady.

Tonight is our anniversary, and while Leonard might not have remembered it on his own, he did promise dinner. That has to mean something, right? That should mean that he feels bad for forgetting right?

I run my fingers over the silver necklace draped across my collarbone. Leonard gave it to me two years ago for my birthday—a rare thoughtful gift from a man who’s often too buried in his work to notice such things. The memory brings a faint smile to my lips.

Even though my marriage with Leonard started with a simple arrangement, I still fell in love with him and I wish he can see just how much I love him.

As I adjust my hair, my phone vibrates on the vanity table. Maya’s name flashes across the screen of my phone, and I pick up immediately, putting the phone on speaker.

“Hey, Maya,” I greet her, my voice softer than usual as a smile lines across my lips.

“Evey! How are you? Wait…you sound like you are getting ready for something” she says, her tone laced with curiosity. This is how much Maya knows me

I pause, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, Leonard and I are having dinner tonight. It’s our anniversary.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Happy anniversary to you and your husband. You must be excited,” Maya exclaims, though her enthusiasm sounds forced but I can hear her faint giggles too.

I hesitate, glancing at my reflection. “I guess I am. It’s just... I don't know.”

“What do you mean you don't know?” Maya presses. “Don’t tell me he’s—”

“No, no, nothing like that is happening” I interrupt quickly. I know what she was about to insinuate. “He’s not doing anything... wrong. He’s just distant sometimes. I feel like I’m the only one trying to make this marriage work, you know?”

Maya sighs. “Eve, if Leonard isn't treating you right, you don't have to remain married to him. You deserve someone who puts in the effort, who sees you. Don’t let him take you for granted if he is.”

Her words strike a chord, and for a moment, I consider canceling dinner altogether. But I shake the thoughts away. Leonard is my husband. I can't let just what I saw earlier daint the way I feel for him. It's not like I caught him in bed with a woman. If I don’t fight for this marriage, who will? I immediately smile to myself, suddenly getting courage and deciding not to think about it again.

“I hear you, Maya,” I reply softly. “I’ll let you know how tonight goes, okay? Let me finish getting ready, my husband will be here soon”

“Alright. And remember, I’m just a call away if you need me. Okay?”

“Thanks,” I say before hanging up.

With a deep breath, I slip on my silver heels, grab my clutch, and head downstairs. I can't wait to see Leonard.

When I reach the foyer, Leonard is already waiting by the door. My breath catches as I take him in. He has changed his clothes. The navy blue suit he's wearing fits him perfectly (as always), accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame. His jet black hair is neatly combed to the back, and there’s an effortless elegance about him that still makes my heart flutter.

“You look amazing,” I say, my voice soft and genuine with butterflies swimming effortlessly inside my stomach.

He glances at me briefly, his eyes sweeps over my dress before meeting my gaze. “You look nice,” he says, his tone distant.

The lack of emotion in his response stings, but I let myself smile. He noticed the efforts I put in dressing up. “Thank you. You look handsome.” I say again.

“Ready to go?” he asks, ignoring my compliment entirely.

I nod, as I swallow my disappointment. “Yes, let’s go.”

---

The drive to the restaurant is quiet, save for the hum of the car’s engine. I steal glances at Leonard, hoping to catch some hint of excitement on his face. But as always, his expression is unreadable.

Just as I’m about to speak, his phone buzzes in the cupholder. He picks it up immediately, glancing at the screen before answering.

“Clara,” he says, his voice softening in a way that catches me off guard.

My chest tightens at the name.

“Hey,” he continues, his tone is warm. “Yeah, I’m on my way to dinner” There’s a pause, followed by a low chuckle. “You always know how to make me laugh.”

I turn my head toward the window, biting the inside of my cheek. That laugh—it’s genuine, rich, and carefree. It’s a sound I haven’t heard from him in years.

The call only lasts a few minutes, but it feels like an eternity. When he finally hangs up, he glances at me briefly before turning his attention back to the phone in his hand

“Clara’s joining us for dinner,” he says casually, as if this is something I’d be perfectly fine with.

I blink, certain I must have misheard him. “What?”

“She’ll be at the restaurant. I thought it’d be good for you to meet her properly,” he explains, his tone devoid of any consideration for how I might feel about this.

“Leonard, tonight is supposed to be about us,” I say slowly, keeping my voice calm despite the storm brewing inside me. “It’s our anniversary not just a dinner to invite an outsider”

“Sure, it still is our anniversary but Clara is not an outsider,” he replies smoothly. “She’s just going to join us for a little while. She doesn’t know many people in New York, and I’m the only person she can rely on here. All her family are in Europe”

The knot in my stomach tightens. “So she’s relying on you to save her from loneliness? Can't she make friends she can rely on. Must it be you?”

Leonard sighs, his hand on his knee tightening slightly. “Evelyn, you’re reading too much into this. Clara’s harmless. She’s just... childish sometimes. But she means no harm.”

I laugh bitterly under my breath. “Harmless? She was straddling your lap in your office this afternoon.”

His jaw clenches. “We’ve been through this already. She was just being her usual self. It wasn’t what you thought it was. Am I supposed to turn my back on her?”

The pain in my chest grows heavier, but I keep my composure. “And what am I supposed to think, Leonard? That she’s just an old friend who happens to get special treatment?”

Leonard exhales deeply, turning to look at me as the car stops at a red light. “You don’t have to worry about Clara, Evelyn. I've known her since we were kids. You’re my wife. That's just how she is, and she’s going through a rough patch right now. I promised to always be there for her, especially when I can. That’s all it is.”

His words are meant to reassure me, but they do the opposite. “For someone who's going through a lot she looks radiant as hell” I say but Leonard ignores me.

I don't know why he keeps picking sides with this woman no matter who she is.

---

By the time we arrived at the restaurant, my resolve had hardened. I feel a need to fight for Leonard even though deep down, I know that Leonard is not one to fight for because he has a mind of his own and he makes his own decisions regardless.

As we step inside, the warm ambiance of the restaurant does little to soothe my nerves. The hostess leads us to our table, and I sit down across from Leonard, determined to make the best of the evening.

Just as we settle in, Clara arrives.

She’s radiant, her blonde hair cascading down her back in soft waves. Her red dress is chic and effortless, and she walks with the confidence of someone who knows she’s beautiful. Her legs are tall and her slim waist sway left and right as she walks to us.

“Leonard!” she exclaims, her voice bright and cheerful as she leans in to hug him.

I watch as his face softens, a genuine smile spreading across his lips.

“Clara,” he greets her warmly, standing to pull out a chair for her. As he does that, it hits a nail to my heart. Leonard doesn't pull out seats for me. He has never. But I blink away the sadness as it threatens to ruin my beautiful evening by pushing out a tear from my eyes.

She sits down next to him, her attention briefly shifting to me. “Evelyn, right?” she says, offering me a polite smile.

“Yes,” I reply, forcing a smile of my own.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she says sweetly, though there’s something in her tone that feels insincere.

The rest of the evening is a blur of conversations that feel one-sided. Leonard and Clara talk and laugh, while I sit quietly, trying not to let my emotions show. Half of the time, I'm tempted to stand up and leave but I decided to stay. I don't want to be on Leonard's bad side. I don't want him to see me as a weak woman who can't control her emotions.

And as I watch them, a fire ignites within me.

This is my husband, I remind myself. And I won’t let anyone take him away. Even if it's just a friend.