Firework

To my surprise, as I stepped out of the greenhouse, I saw Jared standing outside, dressed in a suit, looking every bit the Alpha he was. Passersby could not help but show him respect when sensing him. However, some of them also praised him for his handsome face, not to mention his tall, strong, and perfect proportions which made him look like a model on the runway.

If it had been any other day, I would have rushed to him, urging him inside to keep others from staring. But that day, I just wanted to pretend I did not see him.

I walked toward the small shed near the greenhouse to put away my gardening tools, hoping he wouldn’ t follow. But Jared quickly caught up with me.

He didn t mention what had happened the night before. Instead, he spoke calmly, “It’s George and Georgia’s birthday today. They” ve invited us to dinner. Will you come with me?”

So, he came just to invite me to Georgia’ s birthday celebration?

I couldn’t believe it. After barely acknowledging my birthday yesterday, he was ready to celebrate

Georgia’ s twice, once at midnight at the bar and then for dinner tonight at a restaurant. Did I deserve all the pain?

‘Please, I can’t go alone,” he added when I didn’t respond, his voice almost pleading.

I stopped and looked at him. I knew if Jared always took me with him to their gatherings, so I sighed and just replied, “Sure,” though my heart wasn t in it.

Suddenly, my mother called out from the house, “Olivia, it’s time for lunch. Please invite Alpha Jared to join us!”

“Yes, Mom,” I replied, turning back to Jared. “You heard her.”

“Sure, I love your mother’s cooking.”

When we walked to my house side to side, the wind blew gently, carrying with it a faint scent of jasmine. I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you like the smell of jasmine?”

Jared’s eyes flickered slightly before he replied, “Not really.”

I wondered to myself,, “Then why have I always smelled this scent on you?’

I knew it was Georgia’ s scent, but I had always assumed he liked it too. It seemed the more I understood, the more my heart broke. So, I chose to stay silent and did not continue the talk, neither did he.

At the dining table, Jared played the role of the perfect fiancé in front of my parents. Little did they know how much he hurt me every time.

My father broke the silence by saying, “We were surprised to see Olivia come home alone last night. But I suppose you were still busy. It’s understandable. Besides, you’

s understandable. Besides, you’ ve come to pick her up now, right?’Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Jared smiled politely and replied, “It’s been busy lately, Mr. Hatfield. But I never neglect my mate; she always comes first.

What a lie. Since when was I ever your priority, Alpha?

“I’m so happy for you two,

my mother added cheerfully.

Jared directly held my hand, showing his affection to me, which made me forced to reply for the sake of my parents’ happiness.

In the evening, I said goodbye to my parents and got into Jared’s car. He drove us to the restaurant where Georgia’s birthday celebration was taking place.

As we entered together, I saw Georgia” s surprised expression. The same look mirrored on the faces of Jared’s other friends who were already gathered there.

George was the first to greet us, “Good evening, Jared, Olivia. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I smiled indifferently and glanced at George before saying, “I’m sorry I came in a hurry and didn’t bring a gift.”

“I’ve already given a gift on your behalf,” Jared added quickly.

I sneered inwardly, ‘Of course you did. Your gift went viral on X after all.'”

Jared led me to the table where two empty seats remained, opposite each other. I wondered if that had been arranged on purpose or not. But I took it lightly and just let go of his hand, walking to the seat across from him.

Jared’s expression shifted slightly, but he didn’t say anything and took the seat next to Georgia. The atmosphere at dinner was tense, and I could sense what his friends were thinking. They had never approved of Jared and me being together and were always cold towards me.

In the past, I had tried to fit in, bringing them carefully selected gifts for every occasion. But I never saw anyone use what I gave them. It was clear they never wanted to accept me after all.

To them, I was just an unwelcome intrusion. How naive I had been not to see it sooner.

I said nothing and ate quietly. Jared, meanwhile, chatted with ease, peeling shrimp one after another.

I remembered his mother once mentioning that Jared never ate seafood unless someone peeled it for him; he found it too tedious. Yet there he was, peeling an entire plate of shrimp for Georgia, then wiping his hands carefully with a wet wipe.

Watching it, I felt a sharp pang of sadness. I wanted to be loved like that, but it seemed I would never receive that kind of affection from him.

George noticed Jared’s actions and, glancing at me, nudged Jared playfully. “Don’t play favorites. Peel some shrimp for your mate too,” he said.

The others joined in, their voices teasing,

“Yeah, don t make your mate jealous, Alpha.”

“Alpha, how could you ignore her?”

Jared smiled awkwardly, looking at the empty plate in front of him and said, “I’ ll order another plate.” I took a sip of my drink and replied calmly, “No, I don’ t like shrimp.”

One of his friends handed Jared another dish and said, “How about some fish, then?”

Before Jared could take it, I said, “Don’t bother. I don’ t eat that either.”

Jared’s eyes flickered to the table, a slight frown forming on his brow. “What about chicken?” he asked, still trying to appear considerate.

“I don t like it either way,” I said flatly.

gaze,

He looked genuinely surprised, clearly not expecting my blunt refusal. Meeting his picked up a napkin, wiped my mouth, and added, “I don’ t like anything prepared here.

I calmly

“Olivia, are you angry?” George asked, clearly taken aback.

Georgia chimed in cautiously, “Why don’t you have some of this shrimp? Please, don’t be upset with Jared.”

As soon as Georgia spoke, the expressions on Jared’s friends’ faces turned cynical, their disdain thinly

veiled.

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