Chapter 71This Is Testing Her
Rachel walked up to the elevator, feeling her phone buzz again in her pocket.
[Nancy overheard you talking about dinner plans with Benjamin for tomorrow night and told Steven. Steven used the excuse of having to work late to cancel his dinner plans with Nancy.]
She frowned at the message. So, Nancy had been eavesdropping on her conversation earlier? Fine. Rachel had endured enough of Steven's "working late" excuses, feeling the pain and sadness they brought. It was time Nancy got a taste of it.
As it neared six o'clock, Rachel grabbed her bag and walked past the work area. Nancy was also getting ready to leave. Stargaze Gallery hadn't been busy lately, so there was no need for overtime. They were just waiting to finalize things with Leo tomorrow and start preparing for his joint exhibition with Autumn.
"Heading out, Rachel?" Nancy greeted her warmly, showing no sign of any negative emotions. "Hestia and I are going shopping. Want to join us?"
Hestia looked over at her upon hearing this.
Rachel glanced at her innocent face and smiled faintly. "Hestia asked me earlier. I'm going to the movies with Steven tonight, so I can't. You two go ahead and have fun."
With that, she walked towards the elevator.
Nancy froze on the spot.
Movies? Steven and Rachel? Didn't he say he had to work late tonight? He even went into detail about the project and everything. She had believed him, sympathizing with his hard work and reminding him to eat well and rest early. So, he was using the same lies on her that he used on Rachel?
Nancy's heart sank. This feeling of being deceived by someone she loved—Rachel hadn't experienced it yet, but she had.
Nancy clenched her fists, her breathing heavy. She fought back tears and swallowed her fury.
Hestia had walked up to her at some point, waving a hand in front of her face. "Nancy, are you okay?"
Nancy snapped back to reality and awkwardly replied, "I'm fine. What's up?"
"I called your name several times, but you didn't respond. What were you thinking about?"
"Just thinking about how close Rachel and Steven are," she lied.
Hestia smiled lightly. "Aunt Heather said they've been like that since they started dating. They've never changed."
Nancy flashed a mocking smile. Never changed? What about all those nights Steven spent with her? What did Rachel have to be so smug about? She'd have her turn to cry eventually. With that thought, Nancy subconsciously touched her stomach. The most important thing now was to get pregnant. But Rachel was always with Steven, leaving her no chance to see him.
Rachel didn't make a reservation for dinner, so she and Steven ended up eating at a nearby restaurant before the movie.
At the table, Steven was as attentive as ever, serving her food and refilling her water. But she could see the darkness in his eyes behind his glasses.
She knew Steven was naturally suspicious, despite his gentle and refined exterior. She used to think it was because of the pressure from Maeve and her sons, making him constantly wary and guarded.
But now she realized his personality was inherited from Heather. He wasn't kind-hearted; he only cared about his interests and was suspicious of everyone. Including her.
Even though he was the one who had been unfaithful, he could still doubt her because of Nancy's words. How ironic.
She quietly focused on her meal.
After a while, Steven suddenly asked, "Tomorrow's Friday. Mom said Hestia's coming over for dinner at The Martinez Manor. Are you coming?"
Rachel paused and looked up at him. He was testing her. After six years together, he still didn't trust her.
She looked at him and smiled calmly. "I'm busy tomorrow night. I have dinner plans."
Steven's eyes darkened, and his brows furrowed. "With who? Nancy?"
"No," Rachel replied evenly. "With Benjamin."
"Benjamin?" Steven's frown deepened, and he said harshly, "Why him again? Didn't I tell you not to get too close to him? His enemies might target you."
"You're pregnant now. If something happens, what am I supposed to do?"
Rachel made up an excuse, and she replied softly, "I saved him last time, remember? This dinner is his way of thanking me."
Steven's dissatisfaction was obvious. "Didn't he already give you a scar cream?"
Rachel felt a surge of discomfort and put down her utensils, staring at his angry, dark expression. She realized again that even after six years, she didn't really know who he was.
Steven noticed her gaze and quickly explained, "Rachel, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?" Rachel smiled lightly. "You make it sound like I've done something unforgivable."
"I didn't mean that. I'm just worried about you, afraid you'll get into danger again," Steven explained hurriedly.
Trying to calm her, he served her more food and softened his tone. "It's my fault. Don't be mad. Let's eat. The movie's starting soon."
Rachel suppressed her complex feelings, looked away, and didn't press the issue, following his lead.
Seeing her continue to eat, Steven sighed in relief, a hint of darkness flashing in his eyes.
"Far Distance" was a mediocre movie. Rachel found it boring and left halfway through, claiming she was tired. At home, she took a bath, did a quick wash-up, and went to bed.
The next day, snowflakes fell again in Dawnlight City, and the temperature dropped further.
Around 6:20 PM, Rachel left Stargaze Gallery and headed to Gardenia Restaurant. With the snow, there weren't many cars on the road. A waiter led her to the private room Asher had reserved. She had just sipped her coffee when Benjamin and Asher arrived.
Benjamin was in his usual suit and overcoat, while Asher wore a double-faced wool jacket.
Seeing Rachel, Asher walked past Benjamin and approached her. "Rachel, nice to meet you. I'm Asher."