I was paying when Josh finally called me back.


    “Sorry, I was busy earlier and just saw your message,” he exined right away.


    “It’s fine. Are you free now?” I asked.


    Josh replied, “What time?”


    I thought for a couple of seconds. If I went at 6 PM, it would be dinner time. Peter and Michelle would definitely insist on having me stay for dinner. I didn’t mind, but Josh might feel awkward about it.


    “How about 7:30?” I suggested. By then, the Dolton family would have finished eating.


    “Alright, I’ll pick you up at 7,” Josh said.


    I couldn’t help butugh. “How are you nning to pick me up? On a shared bike?”


    I honestly didn’t mean anything by it, just teasing, but Josh’s silence on the other end made me realize he might have taken it the wrong way.


    “Uh… I didn’t mean anything by it,” I quickly exined. “I’lle pick you up instead.”


    “I’ll be home half an hour early, so we can just leave together when it’s time,” Josh said after a brief pause. “Do you need me to bring anything, like a gift?”


    “No need, I’ve got it covered,” I said, then hung up. When I looked up, I found Thea staring at me.


    Ever since I could remember, whenever Thea looked at me, I could always sense envy, maybe even jealousy.


    I had nothing to say to her, so I simply walked away, carrying my things.


    Instead of heading home, I went to a men’s clothing store. Tonight, I was taking Josh with me, and there was no way I was letting him wear his usual clothes. I wasn’t sure if he had something suitable, but since I was asking him to y along, it was only right to buy him a proper outfit.


    By 6 PM, I had a quick meal and was waiting for Josh to return.


    But it wasn’t Josh who showed up first-it was Myra calling me. “Zoe, do you have time tonight? I want to chat,” she said.


    Unfortunately, I didn’t.


    “What’s up? We can talk over the phone. I’m heading to the Dolton family tonight,” I didn’t hide anything from Myra.


    “Oh, that’s a shame,” Myra sounded disappointed.


    I grabbed an apple from the table and took a bite. “We’ll catch up some other time. I’ll take you out to dinner.”


    “I’m not hungry,” Myra huffed. “Zoe, I’ve been losing my mindtely. I didn’t want to bother you, but if I don’t talk to someone soon, I’m going to explode.”


    My brows furrowed. “What happened? Did Josh torment you again?”


    “No, it’s Thea,” Myra said, and my chewing paused.


    I had just run into her this morning, and now I was hearing about her again. Clearly, today was Thea’s day to be my bad luck


    charm.


    “What’s going on with her?” I asked, taking my time.


    Myra started spilling the details. “That Thea, acting all high and mighty just because she’s pregnant. She’s got this look, like she expects to be carried around on a sedan chair everywhere she goes. If she’s so scared of something happening, why even leave the house? She should just stay in bed and rest!”


    I couldn’t help butugh a little. “She’s just trying to make money for her baby’s milk.”


    “Bull! She’s showing off, making everyone think she’s carrying the heir to the throne, that the baby’s Mr. Dolton’s,” Myra’s words made me lose my appetite for the apple in my hand.


    “That’s possible,” I replied, casually.


    “Really?” Myra sounded shocked. “If she’s really pregnant with Mr. Dolton’s kid, then he’s already betrayed you. That’s messed up.”


    At that moment, I couldn’t swallow the apple anymore.


    I put it down and didn’t say anything.


    “I don’t think it’s likely,” Myra added after a pause. “If she’s really carrying Mr. Dolton’s child, she’d be in a much better position by now. But instead, she’s still stuck pretending to be some humble woman, while you’re the one looking all sweet and submissive.”


    I shook my head, speechless. Myra was really something-insulting people while dragging me into it.