When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0825

Mindy’s expression remained calm, while Nelly felt her anger burn even hotter upon seeing her composure.

Nelly’s gaze turned icy, and there was a blend of fury and jealousy flashing in her eyes. Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh.

The moonlight fell on her face, casting a pale and somber glow. Paired with her red coat, she looked like a haunting figure from a ghostly tale. Mindy frowned, confusion crossing her features.

“I’ve always envied you,” Nelly began, her voice laced with bitterness. “I envied how you had Mom and Dad’s love, how Timothy always looked after you. Wherever you went, you were the center of attention, the one everyone admired.

“When I stood beside you, I was like the ugly duckling highlighting the swan. But I share the same last name as you! Why wasn’t that enough?”

Mindy furrowed her brow and stepped forward to steady her. “Nelly… you’re drunk.”

But Nelly shook her off, raising her hand to push Mindy away. “Don’t touch me! Stop pretending to care! I bet you’re laughing inside right now, aren’t you?”

“I’m not-”

“From the time we were children, as long as you were there, Mom and Dad only ever looked at you. Their eyes never left you. Why?” Nelly abruptly turned, gripping Mindy’s shoulders with increasing force.

Her gaze deepened, even darkened. “For more than 20 years, everything was fine. Life was peaceful and uneventful. Why did you have to come back? Wouldn’t it have been better to leave things as they were?

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“You have a husband and a daughter. You have a happy family. You’re even a best–selling author! You already have everything. Why isn’t that enough for you? Why did you have to come back and compete with me?”

Nelly’s voice rose to a shrill pitch, hysteria bubbling over as years of resentment, anger, and bitterness spilled out.

Mindy took a step back, gently pulling away from her grip to create space between them. Her own gaze turned colder and sharper.

“Nelly, we grew up together. You know me just as well as I know you,” she said evenly. You didn’t come here tonight just to spend Easter Eve with Mom and Dad or to share a family dinner. There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

Nelly froze for a moment.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0825

Mindy continued, “And now, you’re using alcohol as an excuse, pretending to let slip some ‘drunken truths.‘ But this doesn’t seem like a spur–of–the–moment thing. Since we both know what kind of people we are, why don’t we skip the act?

“Just say what you want to say. Tell me what you’re planning. That way, I don’t have to guess, and you don’t have to pretend. Wouldn’t that be easier for both of us?”

A dry laugh escaped Nelly’s lips as she straightened up. “After all these years, you’re still the same, Mindy.”

She still had the same sharpness. That same infuriating sharpness.

“Fine, I’ll get straight to the point,” Nelly said, shedding the pretense of drunkenness. Her eyes now gleamed with clarity as she locked gazes with Mindy.

“I came here with Timothy to see where you two stand with each other now,” she admitted bluntly.

Mindy’s voice remained steady. “And? Did you find your answer?”

Nelly’s eyes scanned her. “You? I can’t tell. But Timothy? He clearly still has feelings for you. Don’t deny it–I have eyes. It’s plain as day.”

“I wasn’t planning to deny it. You’re overthinking things,” Mindy replied calmly.

Nelly was momentarily at a loss for words.

“You still haven’t made your intentions clear. Or let me put it this way–why did you bring me out here and put on this performance? What exactly do you want from me?”

Nelly smirked. “Oh, Mindy, you’ve always been so clever. What I want is simple, and it shouldn’t be hard for you to do.”

She stepped closer, her voice dropping slightly. “Stay away from Timothy. As far away as possible. Even if he approaches you, you need to walk away.”

Mindy frowned. “Is that all?”

“Stop dodging the question. Just answer me–will you do it or not?”

Mindy’s voice was tinged with confusion. “Nelly, sometimes I really don’t understand how your mind works. If you can see that he’s the one who hasn’t let go, why are you here making demands of me?”

Chapter 0826