Arielle pretended to be deaf when Andrea mentioned that Duke Pellington would soon marry the woman of his heart. Arielle's eyes felt hot as if she was about to cry, but she tried her best to brace herself to endure the pressure.
She tried not to listen to what they were saying. She noticed how beautifully the meat was cooked that night. The colors of the vegetables looked pretty because they were cooked at the right temperature.
Arielle managed to shift her focus so that she no longer felt pressure in her stomach.
"Arielle? Arielle?" called someone.
Someone elbowed her, making Arielle turn around.
"Andrea is calling you," whispered Aron, one of her older brothers who sat beside her.
Arielle now turned to Andrea, who was clearly forcing a smile.
"You didn't hear my call?" she asked still faking a friendly tone.
"Ah, I'm sorry Andrea. I was daydreaming a little earlier," Arielle replied quietly.
