Chapter 184
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“We really don’t need to see each other again, do we?” Eliza said coolly, her voice devoid of warmth.
Isabelle let out a sigh. “You’re really heartless, Liza. I used to think of you as my best friend
“Stop calling me that,” Eliza snapped, her brows drawing together. “And for the record, I was never your friend.”
Isabelle froze for a second, then let out a soft laugh. “I heard you became a nun. I didn’t expect that. Honestly, I thought you were just trying to compete with Sophie for attention.”
Eliza didn’t respond. She simply turned and walked away.
But Isabelle wouldn’t let her go that easily. “Wait up! Come on, we’ve barely said two words–old friends meeting again, aren’t we supposed to catch up?”
She caught up to Eliza’s side and openly scanned her up and down. “Tsk, what a shame. You haven’t shaved off your beautiful hair yet. I was actually curious to see what you’d look like with a bald head
Still, Eliza ignored her.
Isabelle went on like she was chatting over coffee. “Though, I have to admit–you wear that black habit surprisingly well Simple, yes, but on you, it’s got a certain… charm.”
She complimented Eliza over and over, as if they were still close–like nothing had ever gone wrong between them.
Eliza’s patience finally snapped. “That’s enough, Isabelle.”
She stopped in her tracks, turned sharply to face her, and said, “There is nothing between us now. So stop acting like we’re still close.”
“Wow,” Isabelle gave a half–smile, raising her hand to cover her mouth in mock offense. “So cold, Liza. That really hurts.”
Then her voice dropped lower, more intimate, more poisonous. “And who says we have nothing left between us? Aren’t we still enemies? Or have you forgotten how I shoved you into that lake and nearly watched you drown? Don’t you hate me for that?”
Eliza had hated her. For a long time, she had wrestled with that pain, that betrayal. She’d wondered why Isabelle would do something so cruel. But now? It didn’t matter anymore.
“I don’t hate you, Isabelle,” she said calmly. “Not anymore. But that doesn’t mean things can go back to the way they were. You know that. So stop pretending you don’t.”
“No,” Isabelle’s smile faded. She looked straight at Eliza, voice turning sharp. “You’re right–we can’t go back. But I don’t
care.”
All she wanted was for Eliza to hate her. Hate meant attention. Hate meant Eliza still felt something.
“Do what you want,” Eliza said coldly. “Just stay out of my sight.”
She turned to leave again, but Isabelle followed right behind as if nothing had happened. “Where are you headed? You don’t have a carriage anymore, right? Need a lift?”
“I don’t,” Eliza replied without turning.
“Then let’s walk together,” Isabelle said sweetly. “I’ve got nothing else to do–might as well keep you company.”
Eliza paused, glanced at her, and said, “Fine. If you want to follow, then follow. Just don’t run away later.”
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TU, 17 A
Chapter 184
85%
With that, she strode off in a clear direction, her pace purposeful. Isabelle and her maid trailed after her. For a while, they followed without a word–until Eliza stopped at the gates of Regent’s Manor.
The moment Isabelle saw where they were, her expression changed. “What are you doing here?”
Eliza turned, her tone light but edged with ice. I’m here to pay a visit–and to thank His Highness, of course, Without his protection on the road back from Plutonville, I suppose you and I would be having this conversation in hell.”
The sarcasm stung, but Isabelle only arched an eyebrow. “Ich. I knew Sophie was useless, but I didn’t expect her to fail this quickly,”
Eliza gave a cold laugh. “She’s a failure, sure. But you’re no better. So maybe don’t act so smug
市
AD