Spencer’s POV:
I noticed William’s little movement.Every time he spoke, he touched the ring on his finger.I took a closer
look, and I was shocked.
"William, is that Charles’s ring on your finger?" William raised his hand.
The ring was exactly the same as Charles’s! He smiled and said calmly, "No, it’s not.Scarlett keeps
asking me why I’m not wearing a wedding ring.I was afraid that she would grow suspicious, so I asked
someone to make a wedding band for me."
As my insides froze like a lake in winter, I forced a smile.
Perhaps being gentle and kind was just William’s disguise.
It was only a way for him to hide how terrible he really was.
Today was supposed to be a day of celebration, but I was no longer in the mood.I could only entertain
my guests absentmindedly.
Soon, the guests bid goodbye and left one by one.
After seeing off a group of people, I went back to my seat.
Only Vivian, William, and I were left at the table.
William happened to meet my eyes.
His smile was sincere; but it made me tremble for some reason.
"I’ve been trying to decide whether or not I should tell you about one thing.After much, much internal
debate, I thought that I should let you know.After all, you’re Scarlett’s friends."
Vivian and I made no response.We just stared at him silently.
William took our silence as an agreement for him to proceed.
He stood up and raised his wine glass to us.
"I’m honored to be here to help Spencer celebrate the opening of another one of his bars.I also hope
that you will bless me.I have recently become a father."
I felt like I just plunged headfirst into a pool of ice-cold water.
William drank up his wine while Vivian and I looked at him with wide eyes.
Vivian cleared her throat, but a broken voice still came out.
"You… You have a child now?"
"Children.They’re twins."
"That’s why you didn’t bring Scarlett…" I murmured.
"Yes.She just gave birth, and she needs some rest."
With a doting look on his face, William suggested, "You can tell Charles about it if you want."
In a fit of rage, I pounded my fist on the table and glared at him.
"You bastard! How could you take advantage of Scarlett’s perilous state? When she regains her
memory, she won’t forgive you!"
I picked up my glass and smashed it in front of William.
Broken glasses and wine flew in all directions, but William remained calm and fixed his gentle gaze on
me.
He was still smiling like nothing happened.
I was furious, but I couldn’t do anything to him.I turned around and started walking away.I just opened a
new bat.I didn’t want to stain it with some prick’s blood.
"Spencer!"
Before I could put considerable distance between myself and our table, Vivian grabbed my arm.I
looked back at her and then glared at William once more.
"Find some time and arrange a meeting between us and Scarlett."
William nodded with a smile.
"Okay.As long as there’s a suitable opportunity, I will make it happen."
His composure just made me angrier, but I couldn’t vent my rage in my new bar.
After William left, I stepped outside and lit a cigarette.
It was drizzling, and only the eaves were there to protect me from the rain.
The cool air had helped me calm down, but I was still a bit upset.
Vivian approached me and rubbed my arm.
"None of us wanted this to happen.If we only knew, we wouldn’t have let Scarlett leave with William a
year ago.What are you going to do next? Are you going to tell Charles?"
I shook off Vivian’s hand and staggered into the rain.I couldn’t help screaming at her, "How am I
supposed to tell Charles, Vivian? How? Tell me!"
Vivian frowned and eyed me for a while.
Then, she suddenly stepped forward, grabbed my hand, and shoved me into a nearby car.
"Why the hell are you screaming? Do you want the whole world to know?"
Vivian scolded me and then softened her tone.
"Spencer, this matter is between Charles and William.We’d better stay out of it and don’t tell anyone
else."
I didn’t say anything.I just took a deep drag on my cigarette.
"Will you stop smoking?"
Vivian rolled down the window, grabbed my cigarette, and tossed it out.I was going to snap at her, but
before I could, my phone rang.
Charles was calling.
Vivian and I exchanged glances.
Well, this was exactly what I needed.
After hesitating for a while, I pushed the answer button and held the phone against my ear.
"Hey, Spencer.How was the opening of your new bar?"
Charles’s voice was as calm and indifferent as usual.
I smiled awkwardly.
"It went very well, thanks for asking."
Charles didn’t speak after that.
After a moment of silence, I tried my best to speak in a composed manner, but I just tripped all over my
words.
"Scar… Scarlett didn’t sho* up."
Charles gave me a brief reply and then hung up soon after.I put down my phone and heaved a sigh of
relief.
Vivian clicked her tongue.
"Why are you acting like you’re the one who knocked up Scarlett under false pretenses?"
"Because I’m worried about my friend.I can only imagine how the news will affect Charles.If I’m this
unnerved about it, then it will definitely destroy him."
I was so distressed that I tossed my phone away.It landed beside Vivian’s handbag.
Vivian folded her arms over her chest.
"You’re going to have to tell him sooner or later.You can’t wait for the twins to grow up before telling
Charles about them.The longer you keep him in the dark, the more devastated he’s going to be when
he finds out."
Imagining how Charles would react, I felt like some huge invisible hand was squeezing the air out of my
lungs.
Suddenly, my phone rang again.I took away Vivian’s bag and fumbled for it.
To my surprise, it wasn’t mine.
Her phone, which was the one that was ringing, fell out of her purse.I caught a glimpse of the caller ID.
Steven was calling.
"Oh, it’s my boyfriend."
Vivian reached for her phone.
Before slit could get it, I snatched it away, pressed the answer button, and put the call on speaker.
A strange male voice came at once, "Hi, honey."
Vivian glared at me.
I took the phone, held it in front of my face, and leaned back.
I opened my mouth as if I was going to say something.
Vivian immediately careened in and covered my mouth with her hand.
Then, she smiled and said to Steven, "Hi, babe.I’m so glad you called.Missing me?"
"All the time.I’m done with work.I can come to Kitsap tomorrow to see you."
"Really? Oh, that’s great! I can’t wait!" Vivian said happily.
I flashed her a resentful look.
She turned her face away, said a few more words to Steven, and then ended the call.
I pulled a long face.
"Are you going on a date tomorrow?"
Vivian didn’t even look at me.She grabbed her phone back and stuffed it into her bag.
"Yes, which means I have to buy a new dress.I want to be all dolled up for Steven."
I leaned close to her and grabbed her wrist.
"Don’t go."
"We’re not having sex anymore, Spencer.You can no longer tell me what to do and what not to do."
Vivian shook off my hand.
I was stunned.I could only stare at her quietly.
Vivian pushed me away, sat properly, and changed the subject.
"I have a hunch.If Scarlett really lost her memory, then William must’ve lied to her.She never would’ve
taken William willingly as her husband.William must’ve told Scarlett that they’ve always been a couple,
and then he got her pregnant with twins."
My heart sank.
It was possible, and it was more terrible than what William was letting on.
I wouldn’t have believed something like that in the past, but after sensing William’s sinister side today, it
was the only thing now that made sense.I frowned and thought for a while.
Then, I said, "There is another possibility.Scarlett hasn’t lost her memory.William just won’t let her get in
touch with us."
Vivian’s eyes gradually widened as the horror of the idea sank in.
"Yes, that works, too.And if that’s the case, then Charles should know as soon as possible.We need to
find a way for him and William to meet."
I hesitated for a second and then picked up my phone.I was about to call Charles when Vivian pushed
the door open.I grabbed her hand.
She pulled away, but I held on tighter.
"Spencer, if you ever touch me again, I will tell my boyfriend and have him beat you to a pulp." I refused
to let go.
As I stroked her soft skin, I warned her, "Don’t provoke me, Vivian.I know you still like me."
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