Colin nodded along.
"Tomorrow night, I booked a celebration dinner. You'll toast Scarlett and apologize for that scene you made at your dad's memorial."
"My dad just died, and you want me to celebrate your success?"
He shrugged, utterly indifferent.
"How were we supposed to know he couldn't hold on? It's not like I killed him. Besides, he's already gone—what's the point of taking it out on us now? Just because your dad died, I'm not allowed to celebrate? Should I die too?" He waved his hand dismissively. "It's settled. We're all friends here. Don't make it awkward."
The celebration was at the most luxurious hotel downtown.
Colin had booked a large private room and invited his flight crew colleagues—and Scarlett.
When I pushed open the door in plain black mourning clothes, the lively room fell silent.
Colin had been mid-brag, wine glass in hand. The moment he saw what I was wearing, disgust flickered across his face.
"Elise, today is my celebration dinner. Who exactly are you mourning? Talk about bad luck."
Scarlett sat pressed against his side in a deep-V spaghetti strap top, tattoos on full display. She stubbed out her cigarette, stood up reeking of alcohol, and grinned.
"Don't jinx it. Today's a big day—Colin got promoted, got a raise, and won an award. We're drinking until we drop!"
His coworkers chimed in eagerly.
"Yeah, Mrs. Matthews, Captain Matthews is our company's role model this year."
"Putting duty above family, keeping public and private separate—that's the kind of awareness we should all learn from."
"And Scarlett's so down-to-earth. Now that's real friendship!"
Every compliment landed like a slap.
Colin's lips curled with barely concealed satisfaction, though he played modest.
"No, no—just doing my job." He glanced at me. "And I should thank my wife. She had some... emotions at the time, wasn't entirely understanding, but in the end, she supported my work."
He poured a full glass of baijiu and held it out to me, eyes sharp with warning.
"Since you're here, lose the long face. Learn from Scarlett—be more generous." He pushed the glass closer. "Come on, honey. Toast her."
The sharp smell of alcohol turned my stomach.
When I didn't move, Scarlett laughed loudly.
"Oh, Colin, don't force her. She obviously hates me—thinks I stole her seat and cost her the chance to see her dad one last time." She turned to me with mock sympathy. "But Mrs. Matthews, be reasonable. Your dad's illness was a burden anyway. What difference does it make if he went a little earlier or later?"
She leaned in, eyes glittering.
"Me, though? That game only happens once every four years. Trading one life your dad was going to lose anyway for Colin's future and my happiness?" She spread her hands. "Pretty good deal, don't you think?"
She snatched the glass and downed it in one go.
"There—I drank it for you. Consider the matter closed." She jabbed a finger at me. "And from now on, stop making such a fuss. Colin and I are just bros. You can't forbid him from having female friends, right?"
Colin yanked Scarlett close and jabbed his finger in my face.
"Elise! You're an embarrassment! Look at Scarlett, then look at yourself! How can you be this petty?" His voice rose. "She treats you with respect as my wife, and you? Your head's full of dirty, disgusting thoughts!"
Scarlett jumped back in seamlessly.
"Colin, don't be so harsh. Women like her are just sensitive—easily jealous, love to blow things out of proportion, can never let anything go." She sighed theatrically. "We already told her we're just bros. If there was really something between us, we'd have been together ages ago. What would she even have to do with it?"
"But she just won't believe it. She insists there's no such thing as pure friendship between a man and a woman—she thinks we're that dirty. I don't know what else I can do."
The moment he finished, his colleagues turned on me with condemning looks.
"Seriously, who doesn't have friends of the opposite sex? Miss Henson is being way too petty."
"Exactly. People with dirty minds see dirt everywhere. She doesn't trust Captain Matthews at all."
"Scarlett's just that type—one of the guys, totally aboveboard. But Miss Henson is so small-minded."
Colin suddenly shoved me hard.
"Yeah, Elise. Seriously, stop walking around with that long face."
"You keep bringing up your dad—aren't you just trying to go after Scarlett?"
"I'll say it plainly: your dad deserved to die!"
"The biggest contribution he made in his whole life was dying when he did, boosting my reputation and helping me get that certificate. He died at the perfect time. You should feel honored for him!"
"Scarlett and I didn't do anything wrong! Our friendship didn't do anything wrong!"
I staggered and caught myself, chest heaving with fury.
Looking at Colin's twisted, smirking face, I opened my phone without hesitation.
Two moans everyone recognized blasted through the private room.
Colin and Scarlett went white in an instant.
