Gretchen forced a bitter smile.
The sting of alcohol disinfecting her wound couldn’t compare to the constant stinging ache Bernard caused her.
Outside the dressing room, she could vaguely hear Bernard and Marjorie laughing.
“Bernie, when I’m better, can you take me shopping for dresses?”
Bernard’s voice was affectionate. “No need for you to pick. I’ll just have the whole store moved to my place. You can keep what you like and throw away what you don’t.”
Marjorie giggled.
“Aww, Bernie, you’re too good to me,” she said. Then, she added, “Can I come to your family dinner later? I want to meet your parents.”
Bernard paused for a moment.
“Our family dinner? It’s just going to be loud and boring. I’ll take Gretchen to make an appearance for my parents, then I’ll come down and spend time with you. I just use her to entertain Mom and Dad, you know. Nothing more.”
At the dinner, Bernard was lost in his thoughts.
He barely touched his food, either texting away or smiling faintly to himself.
Reinhold, his father, raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Bernard, what’s got you in such a good mood?”
Bernard’s smile grew even wider. “Well, my girl treats me really well.”
Reinhold and Dolores exchanged delighted glances before asking in unison, “Which girl?”
Bernard raised a proud eyebrow, his eyes flicking toward Gretchen.
“Who else could it be? Of course, it’s—”
Just then, his phone rang, and Gretchen saw the name on the screen: [Baby Marjorie]
Bernard ignored the surprised looks from the table and picked up the call immediately.
Marjorie’s sweet voice came through the speaker. “Bernie, are you done? It’s so cold here in the car.”
Bernard chided her lightly. “Turn the heat up, silly girl!”
Gretchen listened, her face expressionless. Once the call ended, Bernard stood up quickly.
“Dad, Mom, something came up. I gotta go now.” He turned to Gretchen. “Gretchen, you stay and chat with them for me.”
Reinhold frowned deeply. “What’s so urgent? Look at Gretchen, her arm’s still in a bandage. If you’re leaving, at least take her home first.”
But Gretchen was tired of watching Bernard show off his affection with Marjorie. “There’s no need, Uncle Terrence. I’ll head home on my own later. I don’t wanna trouble Bernard.”
“That’s not happening,” Reinhold insisted. “Bernard, take Gretchen home first.”
As Gretchen followed Bernard down the hall, he suddenly stopped at a corner.
“Didn’t know you had it in you. What kind of spell did you put on my dad to make him like you so much, Gretchen?”
Gretchen responded coolly. “I have no idea.”
Bernard’s face darkened, his brows knitting together. “Listen, Gretchen, don’t try to pull this attitude with me. Did I not make myself clear enough?”
Gretchen stared at him steadily. “Go ahead. Say what you need to say.”
Bernard tilted his head, a smirk pulling at his lips.
“Our parents decided on our marriage, and I’ll keep my word and marry you. But after that, how I treat you—that’s a different story.”
Gretchen’s heart sank as the words hit her. “And then?”
Bernard let out a dry chuckle. “And then? I’ll spend my life with the woman I truly love. I’ve never met anyone as sweet and kind as she is.”
Gretchen’s voice echoed through the parking garage as she choked out, “You mean… Marjorie?”
Bernard’s expression turned cold. “I’m warning you—don’t badmouth Marjorie to my parents. She’s nothing like you—she doesn’t have your hidden agendas. If I ever catch you—”
“Bernie!”
