The restaurant was a gilded cage of noise and excess. Every surface seemed to gleam with a golden promise, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and even more expensive wine. Molly watched Leo navigate this world with an ease that was almost disconcerting. He was like a fish in water, ordering dishes with a familiarity that suggested he'd been a patron since its inception.
A wave of irritation washed over her. This was their anniversary dinner. A year of their lives together and he chose this place? She glanced at the price of a single appetizer on the menu and her jaw clenched. Was this really necessary?
Leo caught her expression, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Everything alright, Molly?" he asked, his voice soft.
She managed a smile. "Of course, Leo. It's just...a lot."
He nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I know. But I wanted to do something special."
The main course arrived, a visually stunning but ultimately underwhelming plate of food. Molly picked at it without enthusiasm. She felt small and insignificant in this opulent setting, and a growing sense of resentment began to bubble within her.
"Leo," she started, her voice low, "this is...a lot. We could have gone somewhere..."
He cut her off, his expression turning serious. "Molly, there's something you need to know."
Her fork clattered against her plate. She looked at him, puzzled.
"My brother is the CEO of Wusan Conglomerate."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy and unexpected. Molly's mind went blank. She stared at him, disbelief etched on her face.
A long moment passed. Then, slowly, anger replaced the confusion. "A year, Leo. A whole year. And you didn't think to tell me this?" Her voice rose, the noise of the restaurant fading into the background.
He looked apologetic. "I know, Molly. I'm sorry. It's just..." He hesitated.
"Just what?" she demanded.
"I've been hurt before, Molly. Badly. I don't trust people easily."
Her anger subsided, replaced by a cold, hard detachment. She listened to him explain about the loss of their parents and the betrayal of their relatives. His voice was filled with pain and regret, but she felt nothing.
When he finished, she stood up abruptly. "I need to go home," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
He reached for her hand but she pulled away. She didn't look at him again as she walked out of the restaurant. The cold night air was a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside.
As she walked home, she felt a strange emptiness. The world around her seemed muted, as if viewed through a fog. She had no idea what she was feeling, or what she was going to do. All she knew was that something had irrevocably changed between her and Leo.
Back at the restaurant, Leo watched Molly leave, a heavy weight settling in his chest. He had anticipated her reaction, but feeling the full force of her disappointment was still painful. He knew he had to make things right, but for now, all he could do was wait for the storm to pass.
Molly slammed the door behind her, the echo of the closing door amplifying the deafening silence in her apartment. She leaned against the door, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, each one more potent than the last. She needed to make sense of this.
Grabbing her phone, she dialed Cereus' number, her fingers trembling slightly. The phone rang a few times before Cereus answered, her voice laced with concern.
"Molly? Is everything okay?"
Molly took a deep breath. "Cereus, I need to know something. Do you know that Leo's brother is the CEO of Wusan Conglomerate?"
There was a long pause on the other end. "Molly..." Cereus began, her voice hesitant."
Cereus, please," Molly pressed, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Cereus sighed. "I do. I'm so sorry, Molly. I should have told you."
"Why didn't you?" Molly asked, her voice hardening.
"Leo...he begged me not to. He wanted to tell you himself. He was so scared of losing you."
Molly felt a strange pang of sympathy for Leo. Yet, the anger and betrayal still burned bright.
"And there's something else you need to know, Molly," Cereus continued, her voice barely audible.
Molly braced herself. "What?"
"Leo's brother...is Collin Reeves."