"Sorry, but I look in the mirror every day. I''ll take this scarf." Effie''s voice was calm as she handed it to the salesgirl to wrap up.


    Mrs. Lloyd''s brow furrowed tightly. So this was Effie''s true colors, wasn''t it?


    Gone was the meek, timid daughter-inw from before. Now, it was as if she''d be apletely different person.


    And as if she wasn''t done making her point, Effie picked out two more dresses before heading to the register.


    Today was a real victory.


    Mrs. Lloyd and Sigrid were left standing there, faces stone-cold, forced to watch as Effie walked out, triumphant and unbothered.


    Staring at Effie''s retreating figure, Mrs. Lloyd''s lips drew into a thin line. Her tone was sharp with disapproval. "That Effie-she''s bing more and more unruly." Sigrid scoffed, an unmistakable sneer in her voice. "Don''t bother with her, Mom. She''s just some penniless woman. No matter how much she pretends, she can''t change where shees from. You should call Mitchell and ask if they''ve really broken up."


    Still fuming, Mrs. Lloyd pulled out her phone and dialed her son.


    As soon as Mitchell picked up, she couldn''t hold back: "Mitchell, have you and Effie split up?"


    Mitchell paused for a second, then answered with obvious irritation, "Who told you that? We just had a misunderstanding. She''lle back eventually."


    Mrs. Lloyd let out a huff. "Oh, you foolish boy! We just saw her splurging at a designer store, actingpletely out of line. If she''s finally willing to walk away, thank goodness. A woman from her kind of background isn''t fit for you. She''s just a fling, Mitchell. Let me introduce you to someone from a proper family."


    A wave of annoyance rose in Mitchell''s chest. "Mom, can you just stay out of this? It''s my business."


    Sure, being with Suzan was exciting, but that didn''t mean he was ready to let Effie go. He''d gotten used to having her around.


    Mrs. Lloyd, hearing her son''s stubbornness, was furious. "You need to end things with her for good. And don''t give her a single share of thepany. A woman like that should leave with nothing."


    After she hung up, Mitchell frowned, unsettled. What exactly was Effie up to?


    Was she trying to get his attention?


    Or was this some kind of maniptive game?


    But deep down, Mitchell felt certain: Effie woulde crawling back to him soon.


    It had happened so many times before-break up, make up, over and over again.


    In the end, Effie always returned. This time wouldn''t be any different.


    She loved him far too much to ever walk away for good.


    When Effie and Nita left the mall, the tension in the air had finally lifted.


    Nita gave Effie a hearty thumbs-up. "Effie, that was amazing! You finally put them


    in their ce. I''ve never been able to stand Adeline or Sigrid."


    Every time they met, those two acted as if the world revolved around them.


    But because Effie cared about Mitchell, she always swallowed her pride and endured it.


    Effie smiled, looping her arm through Nita''s. Her tone was easy. “Honestly, it wasn''t a big deal. I just realized I don''t have to keep sacrificing myself. I used to think that if I tolerated them, things would get better. But now I know-some people just aren''t worth it."


    Nita nodded, eyes shining with approval. "Exactly! You should''ve done this ages ago. Mitchell''s an arrogant jerk, and his snobbish mother and sister think the sun shines out of them. It''s about time someone showed them otherwise."


    Effie let out a softugh, shaking her head. "Forget them. Let''s go grab a coffee- my treat."


    For the first time in a long while, she felt free. She even found herself looking forward to whatever came next with Lyman.


    What would life be like with him?