M wasn''t surprised by Adrian''s attitude, but she didn''t have the energy to cate him. She was convinced she wasn''t in the wrong.


    From now on, her rtionship with Adrian would be nothing more than a responsibility.


    Knowing Adrian was in the car, M refrained from bringing up the topic of divorce with Lysander in front of the child. Such discussions were inappropriate for young


    ears.


    It was the height of rush hour in Kingsford around six or seven in the evening. A drive that usually took just over half an hour had stretched to an hour, and they still hadn''t arrived. To make matters worse, something unexpected happened midway.


    Lysander took a phone call.


    The moment his face softened, and he spoke in an uncharacteristically gentle tone, M immediately knew who was on the other end-Giselle.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll be right there," Lysander said.


    After hanging up, he looked at M with a nk expression and said tly, "I have something to take care of. I can''t make it to the family dinner tonight."


    M felt a chill in her heart, suspecting the worst. "What do you mean?"


    "I''ve arranged for a driver from the family estate to pick you up," Lysander replied.


    With that, he instructed Leonard, the driver, to escort M out of the car. Without dy, he drove off with Adrian, who was also anxious to see Giselle.


    Standing in the biting wind, M watched the car disappear into the distance, feeling utterly deste.


    Eventually numbed by it all, she took out her phone to call for a ride back to her apartment, deciding against dining at the Montgomery family estate.


    Just then, her phone buzzed with a call from her mother-inw.


    As soon as she picked up, a voice, both angry and caring, came through. "That son of mine, how could he leave you stranded in this cold? I swear, when he returns, I''ll teach him a lesson! I''ll make sure he never does this again!"


    After venting, her mother-inw''s voice softened with concern. "M, find somewhere warm to wait. I''lle and get you right away."


    Startled, M protested, "Mom, you don''t have to—"


    She was about to suggest rescheduling the family dinner for another time, but the line had already gone dead.


    Listening to the dial tone, M couldn''t help but chuckle in disbelief. She began to wonder if this habit of abrupt calls was a family trait of the Montgomerys.


    But her mother-inw was unlike Lysander. She meant well and was the kindest member of the family towards M.


    Knowing her mother-inw''s unwavering determination, M understood that if she promised to pick her up, she would do so until she seeded.


    To ensure she wouldn''t miss the car, M stayed by the roadside.


    While waiting, her phone buzzed again with a message. It was from Rnd, a client she''d recently met.


    He had sent her an electronic invitation to a Lockwood family dinner, and it was addressed to her alone.


    M was confused. How had she not heard about this dinner?


    Given the close ties between the two families, the Lockwoods were aware of her and Lysander''s rtionship. Such events usually involved both spouses, and the invitation should have been sent to Lysander long ago, yet she knew nothing about it.


    Why hadn''t Lysander mentioned the dinner? Then again, he was never keen on acknowledging her as his wife in public. Now that Giselle was back, he certainly wouldn''t bring her to the event!


    Recalling how Lysander had abandoned her after Giselle''s call, M felt a bitterugh rise within her.


    But she barely knew the Lockwoods, and her rtionship with Ryan was strained. Rnd hadn''t even bothered to introduce himself properly at the estate. Why was he suddenly inviting her to what seemed like a special family dinner?


    When in doubt, ask directly. M decided to call Rnd.