Chapter 125 Yvette's Business Is My Business.
Albert clenched his fists, teeth grinding. "So, David, do you like Yvette?"
The two men locked eyes from across the room, their stares icy.
"Yeah." David lifted his head slowly. "You knew I liked her. That's why you went after her. You knew I was gonna confess to her with the fireflies, but you took her there first. Do you have any idea how low that is?"
Fireflies.
Albert thought of the firefly necklace, his body going rigid.
"Since we were kids, you always took what I liked. I let it slide 'cause I'm the older brother. But Yvette's not a thing, and I'm not giving her up. You're not serious about her." David's eyes bore into Albert's panicked ones. "I won't let it happen."
Albert stood there, stunned, not noticing a figure slipping away in the shadows.
He tried to remember the past but only felt a pounding headache. He wanted to argue, to say David was wrong, but he couldn't remember anything, not even where to start.
Albert pressed his temple, inhaling sharply to ease the pain.
He thought, 'Could David and Yvette really like each other? Was he the third wheel?'
No, he couldn't accept that. Yvette was his wife.
David's voice was stiff. "David, stay away from Yvette. She's my wife and carrying my child. Besides, you can't even stand up to James. The Valdemar family won't accept Yvette with you. Stop dreaming."
"You just want to compete with me." David's composure returned, his gaze cold. "Whether the Valdemar family accepts it or not is none of your business."
Albert straightened up, his voice firm. "Yvette's business is my business."
After their heated fight, Albert felt a tightness in his chest whenever he thought of David's words. The more he thought about it, the more it annoyed him. Just then, he saw a message from Victor inviting him for a drink. He agreed without hesitation.
Albert strode to the private room door and pushed it open.
The group inside turned to greet him.
"Long time no see, Albert! Finally decided to join us!"
"Albert's wife is pregnant, so he's drinking less. That means he's a good man."
"Don't talk nonsense."
Albert noticed two people with weird expressions and followed their gaze. Sure enough, Violet was there too.
Even in the dim light, the sadness on Violet's face was clear.
Albert scratched his head irritably and plopped down on the sofa.
Victor awkwardly handed him a drink. "You haven't been coming, so I didn't stop her. I always invite you, but you never show. I thought you wouldn't come this time either."
Albert downed the drink. "I get it."
Seeing that Albert wasn't upset, Victor felt a bit relieved.
Albert's mind was a mess, David's words echoing and giving him a headache only alcohol could dull.
Just then, Violet, who had been watching from a distance, walked over.
She raised her hand, extending it towards Albert.
Albert looked up, his gaze cold and harsh. "What do you want?"
Violet's heart tightened under his icy stare. She opened her palm, revealing the firefly necklace.
"I removed the 'VS' letters, but I don't know what was engraved before. So, I'll leave it to you to decide." Violet took a deep breath. "If you still remember our times, I believe you'll engrave my name."
Albert took the necklace, not gently, and clenched it tightly in his palm.
He rubbed the firefly with his rough fingertip, where the engraving had been melted off, leaving it smooth and cold.
"Albert, everything we've been through wasn't fake. Now that you like someone else, using a necklace to deny it all is very disappointing to me."
Violet stepped back, her eyes glistening with tears in the dim light. "I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye."
Her tears fell uncontrollably. Violet wiped her face and ran out of the room.
She got back into her car, leaned on the steering wheel, clutching her clothes tightly, unable to calm down.
She thought of the years with Albert. Whenever she did something lively, Albert would always ask, "Were you like this when you were a kid? You must have been. It's a shame I don't remember."
She couldn't help but ask, "Then what do you remember?"
Albert would smile, "I remember how I feltl about you, the fear of losing you."
This answer always made her feel like walking on thin ice.
It seemed that every time he was moved, every bit of his tolerance was based on her being that girl from his childhood. Maybe she did something similar of that girl, and that's why he was moved. He thought of that girl, so he was willing to be tolerant and understanding.
Violet had always hoped to muddle through, thinking that girl would never appear.
But who knew, that girl was Yvette, and she had always been by Albert's side.
So who did Albert really like?
Violet slowly raised her eyes, for the first time doubting everything that had happened over the years.
Albert silently looked at the necklace in his hand, remaining still for a long time.
Victor, who had known Albert for years, couldn't help but ask, "Albert, is this necklace really Yvette's?"
Albert remained silent, but his hand instinctively tightened around the necklace.
Victor was puzzled. "Do you like the person or the necklace? Can't you tell?"
Albert's eyes flickered. He downed his drink, but his throat still felt dry.
"I was with Violet because of the necklace. I always thought she was the girl from my childhood."
"Do you like Yvette?"
With the slight buzz from the alcohol, Albert confessed, "The person she likes isn't me."
"Don't worry about who she likes." Victor patted Albert's shoulder. "I'm asking who you like. If you like Yvette, then find a way to pursue her! Is it that hard to pursue your own wife?"
