Aurora could hardly believe her eyes the next time she saw Simone.


    "Simone, you... What happened to you?"


    Standing before her was a woman dressed in an elegant, feminine dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders-a world apart from her usual style.


    Simone absently smoothed a strand of hair. "Joshua said the way I looked from behind wasn''t quite how he remembered."


    "In his memory, she was more refined-moredylike."


    She paused, her gaze distant for a moment.


    "I did some digging. Turns out, Rachel really is that type. No wonder Joshua mistook me for her."


    "And then there''s Ste..."


    As she uttered Ste''s name, a chill flickered in Simone''s eyes.


    "She''s pulled off that look too."


    Something about all this felt off to Aurora. "So, does Joshua really believe it''s you now?"


    Simone nodded. "He does. But I want to make absolutely sure."


    Aurora studied her up and down. "But Simone, is it really worth it—to change yourself for him?"


    Simoneughed. "You think I''d be someone else just for a man?”


    She smiled knowingly. "This is just a strategy to win him over. Make him fall for mepletely."


    Aurora''s gaze dropped to Simone''s hands, and she frowned.


    "Are you still practicing piano?"


    The scars on Simone''s hands hadn''t faded. There were faint calluses too-the unmistakable signs of hours spent practicing.


    Simone hesitated, looking a little troubled.


    "Joshua said my violin yingcks emotion. I haven''t touched the violin in years. ''Moonlight'' is a tough piece; it''s easy to get caught up in technique and lose the feeling... So I just have to work harder, I guess."


    Aurora looked as if she wanted to say more, stopping herself mid-thought.


    Simone caught the hesitation. "Come on, Aurora. We''re best friends. If there''s something on your mind, just say it."


    Aurora hesitated, then spoke. "I''ve just never seen you put this much effort in for any man before."


    Simone''s lips curled in a faint, almost imperious smile.


    "Most men simply aren''t worth it. Mediocre people don''t deserve my effort."


    She paused. "But Joshua..."


    There was no dreamy look in her eyes; she was asposed as ever.


    "Aurora, you know I like a challenge."


    But the greater the challenge, the


    more you have to invest the


    harder it is to walk away in the end.


    Would she be able to let go when the time came?


    ow belongs to swnow


    Aurora opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Simone''s phone chimed.


    She nced at the screen, and a satisfied smile touched her lips.


    "It''s Joshua."


    She answered quickly.


    Their conversation was brief. "Alright See you soon," Simone sa


    elight. Content


    her tone light. Content belonave.


    After hanging up, she shot Aurora an apologetic look.


    "Sorry, Aurora. I have to run. Rain check?"


    Aurora shook her head. "Go on, you''ve got things to do."


    Simone nced at her watch, her urgency in. "Okay, I''ll head out."


    Aurora watched her leave, her gaze growing thoughtful.


    Joshua sat in the corner of the café, waiting for Simone.


    Just then, someone slid into the seat opposite him.


    "Joshua."


    He looked up, raising an eyebrow at the woman before him.


    "Rachel."


    His face betrayed no anger,


    no surpro sign that he''d b deceived. Content bo


    swho


    His voice was as gentle as ever. "What brings you here?"