That night, she went to try on the wedding ring David had ordered.
Just then, her phone rang.
It was Howard.
But when she answered, no one spoke. Only the sound of laughter and loud voices filled the line—it was a party.
"Howard won the dare!" someone shouted.
"Drink ten shots or kiss Lora—your choice! Hahaha!"
Nikki could hear Howard’s heavy breathing against the microphone. He sounded a little drunk.
The next second, Lora’s soft, shy voice came through.
"Howard, you can’t drink too much—it’s bad for your heart. Let me drink for you instead… Don’t let them tease me."
Then, it wasn’t Howard’s voice that spoke, but some rich second-generation heir from his circle. His tone was arrogant, dismissive.
"Come to the bar right now. Howard has a stomachache."
For a moment, Nikki’s heart clenched in reflex. She parted her lips, ready to respond—
But the call cut off.
She stood frozen for a long while, staring at the phone. Then, slowly, she curled her lips into a mocking smile.
How many times had this happened before?
How many times had she dropped everything, rushing to him the moment someone called?