Chapter 10%
Livia laughed loudly when Samuel said something that sounded like nonsense to me. Then he said,”
“We should double date like this more often! Leon, you can date this Veronica.“}]
My heart felt like it was being stabbed.
Leon laughed awkwardly.N
“It’s not that easy.“N
Livia gave a playful wink.
“Ah, really? Veronica looks cute. Although a bit… mysterious.“}
I couldn’t take it anymore. My stomach started to tighten, my emotions were mixed. I stood up slowly, pretended to pick up the phone and said softly,
“Sorry, I’m going to the toilet for a moment.”
Then I went. Not to the toilet. But out of the restaurant. Sneaking around in the dark, trying to catch my breath so I wouldn’t cry in public.
The world is too small.
And the pain that I’ve endured all these years… it’s still there.
It’s still excruciating.
And tonight, the two of them Samuel and Livia made me remember one thing: I’m not really free from the past yet.)
I was
almost at the door outside the restaurant when Livia’s voice came from behind my back.”
“Uh, Veronica!“she called out in an amused tone. “Before you go… can you remove the mask for a moment? I’m really curious about your face, it’s been covered up all this time.”W
С
My steps stopped for a moment. I looked down, held my breath, and then replied softly,
“I’m not comfortable taking off my mask in a crowded place. Sorry.”
Without turning around, I walked away. But unluckily, the small butterfly–shaped keychain hanging from my sling bag fell to the floor as I hurried.
SAMUEL’S POV
Oh, my gosh. That keychain.
I stare at the small object in my hand a tiny metal butterfly with slightly faded pastel paint. I recognize this. Too well. It belongs to Agnes. A gift from Livia’s father, back when he still called her “daughter” with pride.“]
The world seemed to stop for a moment. The sound of Livia’s laughter behind me blurred. The hustle and bustle of the restaurant faded away.“]
“That’s right, she’s Agnes. The woman we’ve been looking for!” said Livia.
Not Veronica. It wasn’t whoever she was trying to portray. It was the woman who haunted our lives for years. Who ran away as if she was
innocent. Who left us devastated. And now… standing in front of us so boldly a
I looked up, staring at the restaurant door she had just walked through. My breath caught slightly, between shock and… provocation.} My adrenaline was peaking. A strange passion creeps into my chest. A kind of… obsession.
Not because of love. But because I won’t let her go again.
I turned to Leon.
“Leon. Who is she?”
My tone of voice was calm, but sharp.
He looked startled. Awkward. But finally spoke.
“That’s… Agnes.“}
I nodded slowly, pretending to digest. Then I looked at Livia who was now standing beside me, her face pale but her triumphant smile unconcealable.}
‘She’s back,” I muttered. “And now… it’s our turn.”
Livia sneered.”
“I told you she can’t hide forever. Does she think she can just erase everything?”
My eyes returned to the keychain in my hand. The little butterfly was like a symbol of destiny grinning at me.”
If this is war, then this is the invitation.
I held Leon’s shoulder.
‘She’s manipulative, Leon. And you’re her friend now. You can help us. But… if you trust her too much, you’ll be the next victim.“>
I looked deeply at the man. He hesitated. Looked shaky. And that was enough. I didn’t need him to trust me completely I just needed him. And the rest? I’ll take care of it.”
I will approach her.!!
Disguised as a friend, a protector, an old love that never died.
She will fall, once again.
10:08 AM
I will approach her.
Disguised as a friend, a protector, an old love that never died.”
She will fall, once again.”
0
And this time… she won’t be able to get up.”
~AGNES’S POV
Three days after that dinner, my life was quiet again. But there was a strange feeling that kept pressing on my chest. As if someone was watching me. Staring from the shadows. And it turns out… I wasn’t wrong.”
Samuel sat in his black car parked a few meters away from the shop where I worked. Sunglasses covered half of his face, but he couldn’t hide his sardonic smile.}
“She’s naive… too trusting that the world will be kind to her,” he muttered as he looked at my figure arranging flowers on the shelf at the front of the shop.”
“And that’s her weakness.“}
From the next seat, Livia nodded slowly.}
“Don’t be too rough, Sam. Play it slow. She has to believe that you are… the cure for her wounds.“}
Samuel grinned.}
“Take it easy, honey. I’ll be her version of the best man. The one she says is ‘ideal‘ and ‘understanding‘. She’ll fall in love… and then I’ll destroy everything from within.“}
“Then marry her?” Livia asked casually.
Samuel turned his head, looking at Livia with conviction.}
C
“Yes. Marry her. And on that wedding day… I’ll reveal everything. About who I really am. About all the lies she thought she’d buried. She’ll crumble in the holiest of places at the altar, in front of everyone.“}]
Livia laughed lightly.
“You’re evil.“0
Samuel looked back at me.}
“She deserves it.“}
Meanwhile, I really had no idea what was being planned. My days were back to normal. But there were strange things I was starting to notice SMSS from unknown numbers, flowers sent anonymously, and the familiar sound of steps when I came home at night.
Until one afternoon, the man came. Samuel.
He stood in the doorway of my flower shop, smiling like a nobody.”
Not Livia’s husband. Not the man from my past. But a “new customer“.
“Hello, Veronica. Or… should I call you Agnes?” he said, offering his hand. “I’m sorry if I startled you. I just wanted to chat.“}
My heart was beating hard. But he didn’t look angry. Not sarcastic. Didn’t bring Livia.
And that’s exactly why I feel… scared.}
He came into my life again. With a smile. With fake concern. With a plan that will cut deeper.
10:08 AM
AGNES POVE
