Chapter 7

Let it go? Why should Sloane "let it go"? She choked back her sobs. "I was the one who got drenched in wine! Why do you get to tell me to let it go?" Trembling with anger, Sloane forced herself to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. Keke clung tightly to Easton's sleeve. Her body was shaking with fear. Seeing this, Easton gently patted her back. He was soothing her as if he could hardly bear to see her distressed. His gaze toward Sloane carried a hint of displeasure. "Lo, Keke said it was an accident. Do you really have to make such a big scene? That's enough." While hiding behind Easton, Keke threw Sloane a look of taunting mockery. Sloane stared at Easton in disbelief as he wrapped his arm around Keke's shoulder and walked away with her. The two of them looked intimate. Sloane's hand clenched into a tight fist at her side, and her nails dug deep into her palm. However, she seemed oblivious to the pain. She only stood frozen in place with a pale face. A maid stepped forward carefully to support her. "Mrs. Chapman, let me take you to change your clothes," she offered gingerly. The dress clung to Sloane's skin. Staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror, Sloane finally realized that her face was already streaked with tears. She raised a hand and wiped them away. This would be the last time she cried over this marriage. After changing into a fresh gown and regaining her composure, Sloane returned to the banquet. The gazes around her carried more pity than anything else. She forced herself to stand tall. The corners of her lips curved into a smile that felt painfully strained. Nancy patted the back of her hand sympathetically. "Lo, Easton has wronged you. Take this. It's my way of making it up to you." She placed a flawless emerald bracelet in Sloane's palm. Sloane immediately recognized its immense value and instinctively wanted to refuse. Nancy sighed. "All men like to have a little fun. Lo, don't be like those women who throw a fit over every little thing. "As for Keke… I practically watched her grow up. Easton only sees her as a sister. There's nothing to worry about." A sister? Sloane let out a silent, mocking laugh. She was more like a lover who shared Easton's bed. "You've had a rough night. Keep this emerald bracelet. It belongs to the Chapman family's daughter-in-law." Sloane's fingers trembled slightly as she stared at the emerald bracelet in her palm. A cold smirk formed at the corners of her lips. The Chapman family's daughter-in-law? Not for much longer. She didn't refuse. Instead, she smiled and tucked the emerald bracelet into her bag. "Since she's Easton's sister, she's my sister, too. Of course, I'll take good care of her. And I certainly won't argue with Easton over her." At the villa, Keke nestled in Easton's arms while pouting in discontent. Easton sighed and comforted her gently. "Come on, now. Lo was just upset. I'll take you on a trip to clear your mind tomorrow. We can go anywhere you want to go." Keke blinked. "Really?" Her voice was sweet and coy. Easton nodded under her expectant gaze. "I'll take you to the ends of the earth even if you want to go there." "In that case, I want to go to Edden. They say it's the closest place to heaven." The smile on Easton's lips froze. Edden was the place where Easton and Sloane had their wedding. It was the place where they had once pledged their love. Before he could refuse, the front door suddenly swung open from the outside. Meeting Sloane's gaze, Easton instinctively stood up and started to speak. But Keke beat him to it. "Sloane, you're back! Easton said he's taking me to Edden tomorrow. That's where you two had your wedding, right? You don't mind, do you?" Sloane's brow twitched slightly. Then, she smiled. "Of course not. Would you like me to book the tickets for you?"