Chapter 27

In her last life, Juan could have helped her, but he hadn't, merely watching from the sidelines. Thinking about it, Debra pulled her hand away from Juan's. Juan wrinkled his brows. Fortunately, no one noticed her movement.

After the banquet, Juan and Debra left, hand in hand. Once outside, Debra withdrew her hand at the opportune moment. Juan felt uneasy. After a while, Debra spoke. “Why did you come?”

“Knowing they’d make things difficult for you, why did you still come alone?”

Debra paused. “I asked you.”

“It’s Shelia’s birthday today. I had to make a quick visit,” Juan said.

“Shelia’s birthday?” Debra was surprised. “Then why did you come?” Juan always seemed to prioritize Shelia.

Juan frowned. “This banquet concerns the relationship between the Frazier and Nichols families. I have to come.”

“A grandiose excuse,” Debra muttered.

Juan didn’t catch that. “What were you saying?”

Debra didn’t reply. In her last life, Juan knew it was the Frazier family’s banquet but still didn’t accompany her, leaving her to deal with the mean Rosalie and the elders. He couldn’t even be bothered to give her an excuse for not coming.

“I said it’s a big day for Shelia. Is it appropriate for you not to keep her company?”

“You don’t need to remind me.” Juan’s tone softened at the mention of Shelia. “Shelia is an orphan. She’s obedient and sensible. As soon as she heard it was the Frazier family’s banquet, she told me to handle things first via a call, and I promised to accompany her after the banquet.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Juan realized he had misspoken. Debra felt a pang in her heart and chuckled bitterly. Shelia was an orphan. What about her? In Juan’s mind, she couldn’t compare to Shelia.

“Suit yourself. I’m going home.”

BONUS

Debra turned away, ready to get into the car. Perhaps realizing he’d misspoken, Juan grabbed Debra’s arm and spoke seriously. “Shelia is sensitive. For the past few years, I’ve always been the one to accompany her on her birthday as an elder. If this year, because I’m married, I don’t accompany her, I’m afraid she’ll overthink it.” Juan emphasized the word “elder.”

Debra shook off Juan’s arm. “It’s none of my business. Go and accompany her. She is an orphan who needs your companionship on her big day.”

Juan thought Debra would be angry, but hearing her genuinely want him to see Shelia, he felt a bit depressed.

After Debra left, Joe sensed Juan’s bad mood and said, “Sir, Miss Miles is still waiting for you at the hotel.”

“I know.”

At the hotel, Shelia looked at the birthday setup and the candlelit dinner on the table, feeling happy. She deliberately dimmed the lights a bit, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere throughout the room. She dressed differently from usual, choosing a sexier and more mature look.