The trembling sound of a phone echoed in Diana's silent room. Her eyes fixed on the screen; the name Nicholas wasn't there. Only Rachel… and now, after Rachel's call, it was her turn. Diana dialed.
But on the other side, when Nicholas saw her name on the screen, he hesitated. Casting a quick glance at Mary, he smiled softly and, without a word, turned off his phone.
— Diana: "Damn it…!"
The sound of the phone case shattering against the table filled the room.
— Diana, furious: "So now you hang up on me? Fine, Nicholas… the game has just begun."
A small café, with dim lights and the aroma of fresh coffee, became a brief refuge for Mary and Nicholas. Sitting face to face, half-filled cups between them, their gazes carried countless unspoken words.
— Mary, serious: "Nicholas, we should go to the gallery afterward. I need to see how things are progressing."
— Nicholas, calm: "Alright. But first, we need to stop somewhere… the Central Mall. I've got a small errand."
Unaware of his plan, Mary simply nodded.
Among the glittering displays of the mall, Nicholas headed straight for a luxury boutique. The lights fell upon a dazzling black evening gown—more like a work of art than clothing.
— Mary, in disbelief: "You're… really buying this for me? Nicholas, it's too expensive. We should be saving for the gallery, not wasting money on dresses."
— Nicholas, firmly: "That's exactly why I'm buying it. Tomorrow night, I'm hosting a small gathering. A few people will come… we'll discuss the gallery's reconstruction. And you— you'll shine in this dress. After all, you're my girlfriend."
Mary hesitated, but the determination in Nicholas's eyes left no room for refusal.
— Nicholas, with finality: "From the start of our relationship, you'd better learn not to argue with me. This dress is yours. Take it."
With a sigh, Mary accepted the dress, and together they went to the gallery.
The scent of fresh paint and the hum of tools still lingered in the space. Half the reconstruction was done. A fire inspector approached, file in hand.
— Inspector: "The investigation is complete. We'll release the final results tomorrow."
— Mary: "Was it… an electrical short circuit?"
— Inspector, hesitating: "Possibly. But there's also the chance it was intentional."
Nicholas's fist slammed against the wall, his voice echoing.
— Nicholas: "You mean… someone set fire to my gallery on purpose?!"
— Mary, alarmed: "Calm down. Nothing's confirmed yet."
— Nicholas: "No… I suspected as much. Everything was up to code. This couldn't have been an accident."
Mary gently took his hand, her voice soothing.
— Mary: "Wait for the report tomorrow… then we'll know what to do."
That night, Nicholas dropped Mary off at her home. When he returned, dozens of missed calls from Diana filled his screen. With reluctance, he finally called back.
— Diana, furious: "Where the hell were you? Why didn't you answer?!"
— Nicholas, cold: "It's none of your business."
— Diana: "Don't play games with me! I heard you introduced Mary as your girlfriend."
— Nicholas: "That's right. Mary and I are together."
— Diana, outraged: "You've lost your mind! I told you—Young keeps mentioning her. I wanted you to push her away, not get closer!"
— Nicholas: "That's exactly why I'm close to her. As long as I'm by her side, Young won't dare look at her."
Silence. Diana's breathing trembled.
— Diana: "Have you forgotten? We were in love once…"
— Nicholas, merciless: "Don't talk nonsense. That's over. I don't care about you anymore. I've started a new life. Tomorrow, I'm hosting a small party to introduce Mary. If you come… fine."
— Diana: "Shut up… shut up, Nicholas! You betrayed me for that worthless girl? I'll make you pay!"
The call ended. Nicholas tossed his phone onto the couch and headed straight for the shower.
The next night, a lavish restaurant bathed in golden light. Everyone was seated when the doors opened, and Mary entered in the dress Nicholas had chosen. All eyes turned to her.
— Helen, excited: "Wow… look at Mary! She looks like a princess!"
— Deniz, proudly: "My friend is more beautiful than any star."
Diana muttered under her breath with a sneer: "So that's what they call a princess these days…"
Yong's eyes sparkled, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. Mary sat beside Nicholas, and the table's warmth resumed.
But Diana's icy glares at Mary cut through the air like blades. When the topic of reconstruction came up, she suddenly said:
— Diana: "The gallery is already finished."
Nicholas stayed silent. Mary, with kindness, corrected her.
— Mary: "Not yet. About half the work is done."
— Diana, with a mocking smirk: "I asked Nicholas. Not you."
An awkward silence fell. Everyone exchanged glances. Yong quickly broke it by suggesting they order food.
Midway through dinner, Nicholas raised his glass.
— Nicholas: "Alright, now it's time… I have a very important announcement."
— Helen: "More important than the gallery?"
— Nicholas, gazing at Mary with affection: "Much more important…"
But before he could continue, Diana abruptly stood.
— Diana: "Excuse me… I need the restroom. Tell us after."
She left. Moments later, Nicholas's phone buzzed with her message:
"Come out right now. Otherwise, I'll say things that will make not just you, but Mary herself regret being with you."
Nicholas frowned, quietly rising from his seat.
— Nicholas: "I'll be right back. Just a moment."
Deniz winked playfully at Mary: "Think he's about to propose?"
Mary quickly signaled her to stay quiet.
But Ava, worried, pushed her chair back: "I'll… I'll go to the restroom too."
Yong sighed: "Seriously? Everyone's heading to the restroom tonight."
James muttered with a laugh: "Guess they ate too much before dinner."
Laughter broke out around the table. But beneath it, a deeper tension brewed.
The hallway outside the restroom was dimly lit, the glow of ceiling lamps reflecting off polished tiles. Silence hung heavy in the air. Nicholas's footsteps echoed as he approached. He stopped directly in front of Diana, his eyes frozen, merciless.
— Nicholas, voice calm but sharp as a blade: "So now you have the guts to threaten me?"
Diana's lips curled into a bitter smile, her eyes brimming with anger and longing.
— Diana: "Threaten? No. Just a reminder. Remember? We had plans… first the company, then a life abroad. We built everything together."
Nicholas sneered, void of any warmth.
— Nicholas: "Those dreams died long ago, Diana. I'm not chasing them anymore. I betrayed Young once—I won't do it again."
— Diana, voice trembling yet defiant: "Since when does Yong matter to you? Don't think I don't see it. It's all because of that worthless girl… Mary!"
Nicholas's eyes darkened. He stepped closer.
— Nicholas: "I've warned you before. Leave Mary alone."
Diana pressed her lips tightly, her tone dripping with threat.
— Diana: "Then here's my warning. If you don't drop her today, I'll tell everyone the truth—that half the company shares belong to you. Because we were supposed to run it together. Did you forget?"
Nicholas chuckled coldly, leaning closer until their breaths mingled.
— Nicholas: "You know what I found out today? The final report on the fire. It was arson. Sooner or later, the culprit will be revealed… I just hope your name isn't on it."
Diana froze. Her eyes flickered with panic.
— Diana: "You… you've lost your mind!"
— Nicholas: "No, Diana. When I accepted your help to return Parker's money, that was when I lost my mind. I should've known you had your own scheme. And now… turns out one of Parker's men was seen on the gallery's cameras the day of the fire."
Diana's eyes widened in shock. Words failed her.
Nicholas straightened, his voice cutting through the silence.
— Nicholas: "Now sit quietly and keep your mouth shut. Understand this clearly, Diana… I love Mary. So don't even think you can come between us."
A heavy silence filled the hall. Only the ticking of a distant wall clock broke the stillness.
At that very moment, just beyond the thin wall beside them, Ava stood frozen. Her eyes wide in disbelief, her hand clamped over her mouth. She had heard everything…