Chapter 115



Belinda pressed her lips into a thin line and took a deep breath. “Breaking up with someone like that might not be such a bad thing,” she said gently.

However, Debra only cried harder. “Belinda…” She threw her arms around Belinda’s neck and buried her face in the latter’s shoulder as she continued to sob.

Belinda stiffened at the sudden contact. She wasn’t expecting this kind of reaction, so she was quite at a loss as to what to do.

Thankfully, Percy walked over and stroked Debra’s back. “There, there, Debra,” he coaxed. “That’s enough now. No more tears.”

But Debra continued to sob for a while more before she finally pulled herself together. “I’m so sorry, Belinda,” she rasped in between sniffles. “I didn’t mean to lose control like that.”

“It’s okay,” Belinda said with an awkward smile. “It’s normal for you to be upset. I completely understand.”

“Thank you, Belinda,” Debra said as she dabbed at the tears that were still spilling from her eyes.

Then, as if struck by a thought, she asked, “Belinda, will you… will you come with me to a bar for some drinks tonight? I just can’t be alone now.”

Belinda blinked, caught off guard yet again by such a random request. “I’m sorry, but I already have plans for tonight,” she said politely. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but being around Debra made her feel quite uneasy. Especially in light of that unwelcome embrace and the animated sobbing… The mere thought of it had her scalp tingling. She could already see how the night would unfold if she actually agreed to accompany Debra. There would be endless rounds of drinks, and Debra would likely spend the entire time crying and hugging her again. She believed it was better to refuse and avoid that situation. They weren’t close, after all. Debra would be better off spending the evening with her best friends or someone close to her.

Predictably enough, Debra looked at Belinda with a hurt expression on her face. “Belinda, do you… do you not like me for some reason? Do you not want to spend time with me?”

Belinda was momentarily rendered speechless. After a while, she said resignedly, “It’s not that at all. I really do have other plans tonight.”

Percy decided to step in again, and Belinda couldn’t be more grateful for that. “Debra, you shouldn’t pressure Belinda like this. If you like, I will go with you,” Percy said.

“Alright,” Debra murmured before looking back hopefully at Belinda. “But we can still hang out again, right? Maybe go shopping or grab a meal some other time?”

“If I am free, then of course,” Belinda replied.

Debra’s face immediately lit up. “Great!”

The rest of the meal proceeded with Debra jumping from one topic to another, though it was abundantly clear that she was trying to talk more with Belinda. This left Belinda pondering what Debra’s intentions might be. When at last she asked if there was a specific reason for Debra inviting her to the meal this time, Debra only said that she simply wanted them to have a meal together. Even then, Belinda had a nagging feeling that things were not as they seemed. But since Debra made no move to elaborate, Belinda didn’t pry any further.

When they were done eating, they left the private room together. They were heading toward the elevator when Debra suggested, “Belinda, let Percy drive you back to the hospital.” Belinda was just about to decline when she raised her eyes and saw something. She instantly froze in her tracks.

Ahead, Lucas, Vincent, Ryan, and Verena strode toward Belinda and the others with deliberate steps. Lucas’ gaze flicked toward Belinda, lingering just long enough to make her notice before he looked away, his expression as indifferent as if she were invisible. Belinda felt her throat tighten. The words she had prepared to decline Percy’s offer dissolved. Instead, she said, “Alright, I’ll trouble you then, Mr. Thomas.”

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