Chapter 211
Throughout the entirety of the night, Sophia had yearned for even the slightest acknowledgment from Anthony. Yet, he remained aloof, his presence at the event merely physical. His interaction was limited to the sporadic nods and brief responses he offered to his mother, Brenda. Otherwise, he was wholly disengaged, his mind wandering to places unknown and unreachable to Sophia.
Despite the palpable disconnection that Anthony emanated throughout the evening, Sophia's anticipation remained undiminished. Her attraction to him was not rooted in his status as the Eilish heir, but rather in his character.
She had encountered her fair share of affluent bachelors, most of them either arrogant or lost in a world of models and inheritances. However, Anthony was a rare breed. He radiated the elegance of authentic Old Money, an allure that was irresistible to her.
Sophia had resolved within her heart that Anthony was the only man she would ever marry.
After the dinner, with no signs of reciprocation from Anthony, she gathered her courage. "Anthony, perhaps we could exchange contact information?" she suggested.
"Sorry," was his curt response.
Sorry? Was that a rejection? He wouldn't even share his contact information? Sophia was taken aback, her face reflecting her shock and disappointment.
Brenda, sensing the tension, intervened with a warm smile. "Sophia, dear, why don't you visit us at our home in a few days?" She held a genuine fondness for the girl, and their families had been business associates for generations. Even if a marital union was off the table, there was no need for animosity.
"Sure, Aunt Brenda," Sophia responded, her spirits lifting slightly.
On their way home, Brenda inquired about Sophia's feelings. "I find you quite likable, Sophia. What do you think?" she asked.
Anthony, engrossed in the scenery outside the window, showed no interest.
A few days prior, when Brenda had suggested matchmaking, she had anticipated Anthony's refusal. However, he had silently agreed. Brenda could speculate about his reasons, but she chose to keep her thoughts to herself. Instead, she advised, "Since things didn't work out with Layla, perhaps you should consider giving other girls a chance. You might find their strengths appealing."
Anthony's disinterest in other girls wasn't due to their inadequacies; he simply hadn't made an effort to know them.
Earlier, as he sat in the booth, he had felt like a shell of a man. His body was present, but his spirit had wandered off.
His thoughts were consumed by Layla, causing his focus to waver repeatedly.
If Layla had been there, he wouldn't have been so listless. They shared a multitude of commonalities-childhood memories, dreams of the future...
His connection with Layla was one of profound comfort, rooted in their shared values and perspectives.
Regrettably...
Anthony was well aware that life was riddled with regrets, but this particular one felt overwhelmingly significant. He was still mourning the loss of something he never truly had; he had never truly possessed her.
"Would you be open to having Sophia and her mother over for dinner in a few days?" his mother asked.
"Whatever you arrange is fine," Anthony responded, his words lacking any real enthusiasm, merely echoing the expected response.
"It's not about whether I welcome them. What's important is whether you do, Anthony. You know I would never force you into anything, and that includes romantic relationships. If Sophia isn't to your liking, there are others..."
"Let's just go with her," Anthony interjected, showing no interest in meeting other women.
"Hmm," Brenda acknowledged his lack of enthusiasm without much hope. However, she wasn't ready to give up. Layla was a good match, but there were plenty of other exceptional women from wealthy families.
Having escorted Brenda safely home, Anthony had claimed a late night at the office was in order. However, he found himself unexpectedly veering off course and into a dimly lit bar.
Seated at the counter, Anthony was halfway through his drink when a self-deprecating chuckle escaped his lips. He realized, with a touch of irony, that he was no different from any other man when matters of the heart were involved. He too sought solace at the bottom of a glass, numbing his emotions until they were but a distant echo.
As the bitter liquid slid down his throat, a profound sense of loneliness enveloped him. He was an isolated figure, adrift in a sea of his own despair.
Meanwhile, Nora had just concluded a round of drinks with her girlfriends. The alcohol had done little to alleviate her irritation; if anything, it had exacerbated it. As she stepped out of the lounge, she was taken aback to see her brother.
This was the first time she had encountered Anthony in a bar. The common thread that had driven both siblings to seek refuge in alcohol was the same woman, Layla.
Layla, a name that made Nora instinctively grit her teeth in annoyance. Her fingers curled into a tight fist as she battled her fury. Unwilling to witness Anthony's heartbreak over a woman she despised, Nora made a hasty exit from the bar.
As she stepped outside, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a call from Holland. Nora had no desire to speak with their father, but after a deep breath and a forced smile, she answered, "Uncle."
Her expression, when she opened her eyes again, was a complex mix of emotions.
"I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later..."
Each morning, Layla's first task was to call Samuel. However, for six consecutive days, he had remained unreachable. A sense of unease began to gnaw at her, consuming her heart like a creeping shadow.
She felt disoriented, far from being in a state to work. In the afternoon, after running errands with Alice, she was persuaded to return to the Holland Group to collect some items.
Layla parked the car and waited downstairs. She glanced at her call log, her heart sinking at the sight of the 39 unanswered calls over the past six days.
"Samuel... where are you? Nothing bad happened to you, right?" Layla's voice trembled with worry. Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged from the entrance of the Holland Group.
Samuel!
Layla blinked in disbelief. It was him. It really was him. Overwhelmed with relief, she flung the car door open, ready to rush towards him when another figure appeared, a woman, laughing and linking her arm through Samuel's.
Layla felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She froze, her mind a blank canvas of shock.
Nora? How could it be Nora?
Her face drained of color as she watched the pair, expecting Samuel to shake off Nora's arm. But he didn't. Nora looked up at him, her smile radiant, clearly smitten.
No, this was different.
A chilling premonition whispered in Layla's ear, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.
Suddenly, as if jolted awake, she grabbed her phone and dialed Samuel's number, her gaze never leaving him.
She saw him pull out his phone, glance at it, and then hang up.
"Sorry, the person you are calling is currently unavailable."
It wasn't that he didn't answer; he had deliberately disconnected the call.
He had hung up on her.
Nora glanced at his screen and saw the caller ID, a smug smirk playing on her lips. Samuel opened the back door for Nora, and with the grace of a CEO's wife, she bestowed him a sweet smile before sliding into the car. Samuel then drove off, leaving Layla still clutching her phone, the monotonous drone of the busy tone echoing in her ear.
She was in shock.
Why was this happening?
Had Samuel been with Nora all these days? Had they gone on a business trip together? Or worse, a vacation?
Was he ignoring her calls because he was with Nora?
Her mind was a whirlwind of speculation.
No, that couldn't be it.
Layla shook her head, refusing to believe it. She knew how well Samuel had treated her. He had rejected Nora so definitively; there was no way he would betray Layla.
Despite the damning evidence before her, Layla clung to her faith in their relationship. They were engaged, after all. Their wedding was scheduled for the 28th of the month.
Holding onto a glimmer of hope, Layla forced herself to stay calm and dialed the wedding planner. "How's the wedding preparation going?"
"Layla? Oh no, Layla. The wedding has been canceled, didn't Samuel inform you?" The manager's puzzled voice echoed in her ear.