After I

Chapter 2

If it weren’t for Nicolas, I wouldn’t have ended up in this mess.

Before the rafting trip, during the group assignment, Lisbeth had latched onto Nicolas’s arm, claiming she had never rafted before and was scared. She insisted on having him accompany her.

Everyone in the company knew about my relationship with Nicolas, so Lisbeth’s behavior was frowned upon by many.

Jack, one of the staff members, stepped in to defend me.

safe for you to be on the same boat. Let me

Ms. Bailey, neither you nor our boss, Mr. Wood, can swim, so it’s accompany you. I’m an expert at rafting, and Mr. Wood should be with Ms. Knight!”

-Exactly! This kind of thrilling activity is much more enjoyable for a real couple!”

The crowd cheered, pushing Nicolas toward me.

But Lisbeth clung to Nicolas’s hand. refusing to let go.

“No. Nicky. I’m scared. Didn’t you promise to always protect me?”

My emotions flared at her words.

Nicolas had always claimed he saw Lisbeth as his younger sister. So, when her inappropriate behavior occurred at the company, I hadn’t minded much. I didn’t want to come across as a jealous, unreasonable woman.

But I had never realized Nicolas had actually made such promises to her.

For the first time. I confronted Lisbeth directly.

“If you’re truly scared, you can choose not to participate. Clinging to someone else’s boyfriend for protection–don’t you have any sense of propriety?”

The sternness in my voice took everyone by surprise.

Lisbeth was the first to react, shrinking back and speaking with a tremor in her voice, her eyes welling with tears.

“Eleanor, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’d be so upset. But there’s nothing between Nicky and me. It’s just that he’s always protected me from danger since we were kids, and L… I’m just used to it…”

“If my presence really bothers you, I’ll leave right now I promise I won’t be a nuisance…”

She said this and genuinely started to walk away.

Nicolas, however, shot me a reproachful look and immediately stopped her.

“Liz. Eleanor didn’t mean it. We’re here to have fun today, so don’t overthink it.”

Lisbeth turned back with a troubled expression.

“But I’m scared to be on the same boat with someone I’m not close to, and I don’t want to upset Eleanor. Nicky, please let

me go…

I scoffed and turned my head away, no longer willing to watch her performance.

Nicolas frowned at me. “Eleanor, Liz is like a sister to me. Can’t you stop being so petty?”

Seeing Lishell’s sing expression, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I suppose I am being petty. If that’s the case, then you two can share a boat. I’ll leave and save you from having your fun spoiled!”

Lisbeth quickly waved her hands. No, no, no. It’s all my fault. I’m the one who should leave…”

I sneered and decided to play along.

“Little Lisbeth, you can’t leave. If you do, Nicolas win’t know who to protect.”

Chapter 2

As I spoke. I noticed Nicolas’s troubled expression, caught between us.

In the end, he suggested that Lisbeth and I share a boat, and declared that if anyone didn’t want to participate, then no one would.

Noticing the surmanding employees exchanging uncertain glance. I didn’t want to spoil their fun, so I reluctantly agreed

Lisbeth feigned magnanimity.

“It’s all my fault for wasting everyone’s time. I’ll treat everyone to dinner later!”

Nicolas smiled with satisfaction and then came to stand beside me, his deep voice carrying a reproachful tone.

“I told you there’s nothing going on between me and Lisbeth. When will you be as understanding as she is?”

His words struck me like a blow to the head, chilling my heart and bringing a bitter smile to my lips.

I had accompanied him all this time–wasn’t that enough?

After all, he once said that having me as a wife was all he could wish for…