Third Person's POV
Clifford grinned, “Come on, Edmond, we’re just waiting on you.Getting married doesn’t mean you have to be this tightly managed, right? How about we go talk to your wife instead?”
But Edmond quickly brushed him off with a wave. “She’s already asleep. Don't disturb her.”
Unbeknownst to them, Haven was already up, standing at the top of the staircase. Wrapped in a long coat, she spoke softly, “Go with them, Edmond. They came all this way. You should at least join them for a little while.”
Walter and Clifford’s faces lit up when they saw her.
“Why don’t you come with us, Haven?" Walter asked eagerly. “Let everyone see what the best woman in the world looks like.”
“Exactly!” Clifford chimed in. “Besides, if you don’t come, Edmond probably won’t budge tonight.”
Haven, already set on cutting herself out of Edmond’s life, wasn’t interested in his social circle or their antics. So, she evenly refused, “No need. You all have fun. Edmond, go ahead.”
Edmond, who rarely resisted her wishes, nodded. “Alright, I’ll just change and join you.”
With the latter walking away, Walter and Clifford exchanged a glance and sighed in unison.
“We’ve never seen Edmond this obedient before,” Walter remarked.
Clifford laughed. “Yeah, the guy’s been calling the shots since we were kids. No one tells him what to do.”
Walter added with a grin, “He really loves you, Haven.”
Haven offered a polite smile, but inside, her thoughts were cold. 'If only that were true, he wouldn’t have cheated in the first place.'
When Edmond returned, dressed to go out, he walked over and kissed Haven lightly on the forehead. “You go to bed. I’ll be back soon.”
Haven met his gaze with her usual calm. “Alright.”
Edmond lingered for a moment as if reluctant to leave, clinging to her before finally heading out, treating her like the most precious thing in the world.
But half an hour later, as Haven was about to fall asleep, she received a photo sent by Hattie.
The dimly lit image clearly showed Hattie nestling coquettishly in a man’s arms, the two of them about to drink a toast together.
In the corner of the frame, Haven spotted Walter and Clifford, each holding a seductive woman in their arms.
'This is... a club,' she realized.
Haven stared at the photo for a long time, her expression blank.
'So, even if I don’t go, someone else will keep Edmond company,' she thought bitterly.
Acting on impulse, Haven soon found herself at the same club. She stood at the half-open door of a private room.
Inside, the scene was exactly as she expected.
Hattie, now dressed in a bunny costume, was perched comfortably on Edmond’s lap, feeding him wine. He didn’t push her away. Instead, he leaned back lazily, letting her pour the drink into his mouth. The next moment, he pulled her close, transferring the wine from his lips to hers in an exaggerated kiss.
The room erupted in cheers and then Walter’s voice cut through the noise. “Edmond, you’re a whole different guy when Haven’s not around!”
Clifford laughed. “Right? I mean, as great as Haven is, no proper woman could ever compete with a little vixen like Hattie.”
However, at the mention of Haven’s name, Edmond’s expression darkened. “Haven doesn’t belong in a place like this. Don’t drag her into it.”
The sudden shift in his tone left the room awkwardly silent.
Hattie’s eyes flashed with jealousy, but she quickly masked it, wrapping her arms around Edmond’s neck. “Alright, we won’t bring her up anymore,” she said sweetly. “And to make up to you, I’ll do whatever you want me to.”
Edmond’s expression softened at her words. The tension eased, and the others started teasing again.
“Come on, Edmond! Hattie’s throwing herself at you. What are you waiting for?” Clifford called out.
Edmond glanced down at the seductive woman in his lap and smirked. “What? You want a live performance?”
