Chapter 11
Winifred’s birthday party was the following day. Like last year, the place was decorated lavishly.
The guests arrived early and showered her with gifts and well wishes.
Kendall was the last to arrive. The smell of alcohol lingered even though he’d showered, and there was a sense of misery and defeat in his presence. He wasn’t usually like that.
Winifred hesitated but still strode toward him. She hugged his arm affectionately and said, “You’re finally here, Kenny. I waited for you for so long.”
He forced a smile. “Sorry, Winnie. I’ve been busy lately, so I forgot to prepare a gift for you.”
She pouted, and her eyes reddened. Tears brimmed in her eyes, and she looked aggrieved.
He rubbed her back soothingly and said, “Don’t cry. It’s all my fault. I’ll take you out to buy you whatever you want once the party is over. Consider that my compensation.”
Winifred forced her tears back at that. She smiled and looked at him shyly, the adoration in her gaze oozing out.
The party began, and people clinked glasses and chatted. Winifred was surrounded at the center of the crowd, and she was the center of attention. She beamed as she looked around.
Felix clinked glasses with her while nudging Kendall with his elbow. “Let’s wish Winnie a happy birthday together, Kendall.”
Kendall nodded robotically and held up his glass in a toast to Winifred. “Happy birthday, Winnie.”
Felix shot her a meaningful look. “What’s your birthday wish, Winnie? Hurry up and tell us. I’m sure your precious Kenny will make it come true!”
She bowed her head shyly. “You know how I’ve always felt about you, Kenny. I…”
This was something she and Felix had planned. She would profess her love for Kendall during the birthday party–they knew he wouldn’t reject her in front of so many people.
However, Kendall cut her off. “I’ve only ever thought of you as a sister, Winnie. Izzy is my girlfriend.”
His voice wasn’t loud, so only the people near them heard him. Still, that was enough to make Winifred feel humiliated.
Tears filled her eyes as she stared at him in disbelief. “But Isabel is gone!”
“No, she’s not. She’s just mad. I’m sure she’ll come back once her anger subsides,” Kendall said firmly.
Thanks to this incident, the atmosphere turned awkward. Gordon and Linda looked at Kendall with displeasure, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to tell him off because of the relationship between their families.
They could only try to talk sense into him. “Kendall, you do know that the promise to marry between our families is meant for you and Winnie, right? We had no choice but to make Isabel take Winnie’s place because she went missing. Now that Winnie’s back, it’s only right that the engagement falls back on Winnie!
“Besides, what’s so great about Isabel? She’s willful, unscrupulous, and impudent. She can’t compare to Winnie at all!”
Chapter 12
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