Chapter 14: The Smile I Wiped Away
Marceline's POV
The whole ride from home to here, Philip and I didn’t say a word to each other. Total silence.The driver drove into the venue of the welcome party.
As the car drew closer to the entrance, my eyes narrowed. I saw someone standing there, waiting like she was expecting someone.
My lips curved into a bitter smile. So that’s it. That’s why Philip reacted the way he did when I said I was coming tonight.
Oh, what a night this was going to be. I hadn’t wanted to come to this party, even when Celesta insisted. But at the last minute, I thought...why not? It wouldn’t be bad to get on Philip’s nerves. And now, seeing Anastasia here, standing like a bride waiting for her groom… really, they’re getting bold.
“Inside this event, we have to pretend our marriage is fine,” Philip’s low voice broke into my thoughts. He spoke quietly, making sure the driver couldn’t hear.
I turned to him sharply. “Why should we pretend when it’s not fine? You’re asking for a divorce, aren’t you?”
“Marceline.” His warning came firm.
“Fine,” I shrugged, sneering, and looked away.
The car halted. The driver rushed to open my door...just in time for me to see Anastasia walking toward the car eagerly, her face glowing with excitement. Happiness she couldn’t hide.
And my own happiness bloomed too...because I was about to wipe that smile right off her face.
I stepped down gently, and as expected, her feet paused immediately. Her body froze, her eyes and mouth wide open like she had just seen a ghost.
I almost laughed. Her reaction was priceless. It reminded me of Philip’s face when he saw me earlier.
Philip came down from the car too, walked over to my side, and opened his arm. I hooked mine into his without hesitation. I noticed Anastasia’s body tremble when she saw that. She was still in shock.
“Is that not Anastasia? She is here too,” I said with a smile, my eyes shifting toward her.
Philip’s body stiffened. He followed my gaze, saw Anastasia, and quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
“Let’s go in,” he said coldly, but forced a smile on his lips.
“Why are you rushing? The paparazzi are still taking pictures of us,” I replied with fake annoyance, but still posed elegantly for the cameras. My smile stayed wide as I gave them enough shots.
Minutes later, we finally started heading inside. Anastasia remained rooted to her spot, still in shock, as if my appearance had truly pierced her heart.
“Hello, Anastasia,” I greeted with a sweet smile.
Her eyes, however, were fixed on Philip and me, our arms hooked together. Slowly, her gaze lifted to Philip, who still hadn’t spared her a glance. She swallowed hard, probably pushing down her emotions.
“Hi, Marc… I’m surprised to see you here,” she said, forcing a small smile. But she couldn’t hide the trembling in her voice.
Philip shifted nervously beside me.
“I don’t think it’s surprising to attend a party,” I replied, raising my brows before glancing at Philip, whose face remained unreadable. What a snake, I scoffed in my mind.
“I know, but this is considered a business event...the welcome party of the number one businessman in the country, and you don't usually attend business events” she said.
There was a hiss beneath her tone. She was getting worked up. Not an emotional intelligence person, I must say.
“well, I decided to attend with my husband tonigt, who is also a businessman.” I answered casually, adjusting my arm tighter around Philip’s.
“Even though… it’s still a business event and you never liked this type of an event,” she pressed, her voice almost snapping.
Philip finally looked at her coldly, his eyes warning her to control herself.
The disappointment of seeing me must have cut her too deep. She was losing control.
“Are you okay, Anastasia? You seem… unhappy,” I asked, faking concern.
She blinked rapidly. “I’m sorry, I was just not in the right state of mind,” she said, exhaling sharply after her words.
Not in the right state of mind… or was it my appearance that spoiled your mood? I scoffed to myself.
“Yeah, I understand,” I said softly, nodding my head in false sympathy. “It’s not easy on you, since you are passing through divorce trauma.”
She forced a smile, one that barely held together, and I almost laughed at how strained it looked.
“Let’s head inside. The occasion will start soon,” Philip said hurriedly, his voice laced with impatience. He clearly didn’t want to linger here any longer, afraid of what Anastasia might blurt out next.
“Sure. We’ve been out here for too long,” I answered sweetly, looking at him with a smile. He returned it with one that never reached his eyes but to the public, no one could notice.
“See you inside, Anastasia,” I said lightly before Philip and I walked into the hall together.