Chapter 90 The Wrong Room 2
Sherry returned home late that night after wrapping up the recording of her show.
She found Armando sitting in the living room, his posture relaxed but his expression unreadable.
Her face lit up. She walked over, slipped her arms around him from behind, and rested her head on his shoulder.
"When did you get back? You didn't even tell me you were coming," she said with a playful lilt in her voice.
"Thought I'd surprise you," Armando replied, setting his phone aside, his tone calm and almost distant.
Sherry smiled, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "I'm going to take a shower. It's been a long day."
"Alright."
He watched her ascend the stairs, his gaze following her until she disappeared from sight. Then, without hurry, he pulled a tissue from the box and wiped the spot where her lips had touched him.
Upstairs, Sherry stepped into the bedroom. She reached for her robe but froze—her eyes landed on the safe, its door ajar.
A jolt of panic shot through her. She rushed over, scanning the contents quickly. Nothing seemed out of place.
She exhaled, reminding herself she must have forgotten to lock it earlier. Thinking back to Armando's demeanor downstairs, she reassured herself—he hadn't noticed anything amiss.
Still, she retrieved the disc and tucked it deep beneath the layers of her jewelry box before shutting the safe firmly.
By the time Armando entered the bedroom, Sherry had just stepped out from the bathroom, her hair damp, her skin glowing from the steam. She sat at her vanity, patting her face dry. Armando walked over and placed a small, elegant box on the table.
Inside lay a pair of rings.
Sherry's eyes widened, her hand flying to her lips. "Armando…"
His voice softened, though there was a controlled edge beneath it. "Sherry, thank you for giving me Sloane—such a beautiful child."
She rose, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I've been waiting to hear you say that for so long."
She truly loved him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have orchestrated everything that had led them here.
Armando's eyes cooled for a fleeting moment before he smoothed a hand over her hair. "Let me put your engagement ring on."
Sherry stepped back, offering her right hand. Her skin was soft, impeccably cared for. Armando slid the ring onto her left ring finger, his touch lingering for a heartbeat. She smiled, slipping the matching band onto his.
She rose on tiptoe, pressing her lips to the sharp line of his jaw.
Armando turned her around so her back faced him. His gaze lowered to the vanity, where a long silk scarf lay. He picked it up and gently covered her eyes, tying the knot with deliberate care.
"Armando?" Sherry's cheeks flushed. The heat radiating from him made her body melt.
His lips curved faintly—cold, dangerous. Armando despised betrayal more than anything.
Sherry knelt forward on the floor, unaware that in that moment she resembled a pet at its master's feet. Armando closed his eyes, his mind drifting to Elizabeth, his jaw tightening.
One day, he would take back what was his.
The next morning, Sherry's mood was buoyant. She touched the ring on her finger again and again, savoring the feel of it. Today she was meeting Mindy at the Carlton Hotel to finalize the venue and menu for the engagement party.
"Sherry, I just saw the ballroom design—it's like something out of a castle," Mindy gushed.
It was only an engagement, yet Armando was willing to spend lavishly. Sherry smiled. "It's beautiful."
Her gaze swept the lobby, landing on a woman in a striking red dress—Elizabeth. Her mood soured instantly; seeing Elizabeth felt like bad luck. Memories of the bakery incident flashed back, when Elizabeth had mocked her for having Sloane but no wedding.
Sherry decided she wanted to flaunt her engagement.
Elizabeth was lounging in a corner, idly tapping at a game on her phone as she waited for Timothy.
"Elizabeth," Sherry called.
Elizabeth looked up, irritation flickering in her eyes as she saw Sherry and Mindy approaching.
Sherry stopped in front of her, raising her right hand to display the ring. "In a few weeks, Armando and I will be engaged. You're welcome to attend."
Elizabeth's gaze dropped briefly to the ring before she smiled faintly. "Miss Scott, congratulations. I caught your show last night… but your singing lacked a bit of emotion. No wonder Jessa's popularity edges out yours."
Sherry's smile faltered. The conversation had been meant to showcase her engagement, not her performance.
Elizabeth ignored the stiffness in Sherry's expression and tilted her chin toward the entrance, where Timothy had just walked in. "That's my boyfriend. If he knew I was going to your engagement party, he'd be jealous. And if he's jealous, I'd feel bad. Armando is just an ex—why bother?"
Her gaze swept over Sherry dismissively.
Timothy spotted Elizabeth immediately. His lips curved into a slow smile. She'd told him she was busy tonight, yet here she was, waiting for him.
He walked over without sparing Sherry a glance, slipped an arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. "I'm starving. Let's eat."
"Alright." Elizabeth's smile warmed as she looked up at him.
Timothy leaned down, brushing his forehead against hers—gentle, intimate. They spoke quietly, oblivious to the others, and headed toward the elevators.
"Did she give you trouble?" Timothy murmured near her ear.
"No," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "She invited me to her engagement party with Armando."
"She's insane," Timothy said with a soft chuckle.
Elizabeth's smile deepened. "Exactly."
Armando entered the hotel just in time to see Elizabeth and Timothy laughing together as they disappeared into the elevator. His expression remained calm, but his eyes darkened.
Sherry spotted him and walked over sweetly. Mindy followed. "Armando."
He acknowledged them with a nod, then asked casually, "What did you say to Elizabeth?"
Sherry's lips curved. "I invited her to our engagement party, but she refused. I love the design for the venue; the invitations are ready."
Normally, this would be something to discuss with Beatrix, but Beatrix disliked Sherry and didn't care to involve herself.
Armando smiled faintly. "As long as you're happy."
Inwardly, he thought Elizabeth looked stunning in red—bold, radiant beauty.
Dinner was served directly to Timothy's suite. "Elizabeth, I've been eating ghost pepper for weeks. Can I skip it tonight?" Timothy gestured toward the plate.
Elizabeth hadn't realized he'd kept up his promise to eat it. The thought warmed her. "You can stop now."
She lifted her chin slightly, regal and teasing.
Midway through the meal, Timothy said, "Tomorrow, let's look at houses. We'll buy one you like, so we have a place in Silverlight City."
He wouldn't stay in Silverlight City forever—eventually he'd return to Border Ridge City. He couldn't leave Elizabeth here alone.
"Alright."
Elizabeth had committed to being with Timothy; she felt no hesitation. That night, they simply lay under the covers, talking.
She told him about Yosef's announcement at work. Her bright smile sparked a flicker of jealousy in him. He pulled her close and kissed her twice.
Elizabeth poked his chest in mock protest.
Later, half-asleep, she rolled away from him. Timothy's arm reached out instinctively, drawing her back against him.