The moment Lisa walked into the dining room, our eyes met. She looked stunned.
"Andrea, is that really you?" she asked, forcing a smile.
Even with her facade, I could see how uncomfortable she was.
"Yes, it's the same old Andrea, flesh and blood," I replied with a wide smile. "Did you think I was dead? You know I don't go down that easily."
Lisa hadn't expected to see me today or ever again.
If only she knew how much I despised her, she'd flee without looking back.
Henry finally broke his silence. He had been quietly observing. "Do you two know each other?" he asked.
"Yes, we do. And you know her too," I said, smirking. "Remember the real one, not that fake one who tried to seduce you that night?"
Henry chuckled, understanding my jab, while Jeff, Lisa's husband, began to look irritated. He knew we were talking about Lisa.
Sensing the tension, Mrs. Dragon quickly suggested we eat before the food got cold, but the adults had lost their appetite. Only the kids seemed to enjoy their meal, unaware of the undercurrents.
Henry was the first to leave the table, still smiling. The kids followed, then Mrs. Dragon. Jeff stood up next, but before leaving, he asked Lisa to join him. She declined, claiming she might eat more, but I knew better.
She stayed because of me, just as I stayed because of her.
Once Jeff was gone, Lisa stood up abruptly and motioned for me to follow. I did, all the way to the backyard. As soon as we got there, she grabbed my shoulders and slammed me against the wall.
"How dare you come back here? Haven't you learned anything? Aren't you afraid of what might happen to you and those kids you brought?" Her eyes blazed with anger and hatred.
How did we end up like this? We used to be best friends, though I always sensed her insincerity. I had been honest with her, but she betrayed me.
I pushed her hand off my shoulder and slapped her hard across the face. She looked stunned.
"Why are you surprised? You deserve worse. How could you betray me like that? Was it because Mrs. Dragon promised to let you marry her son?" I cried, tears streaming down my face.
It felt like reliving the past all over again, back to when Lisa had betrayed me, back to when she had driven me to the psychiatric hospital without my knowledge.
How could she be so cruel to me? She knew she was the only friend I had back then, the closest thing I had to a family. Yet, she discarded and abandoned me so easily. Even now, she shows no remorse, acting as if she never did anything wrong.
I cried my heart out before heading back to the mansion.
When I got to my room, I saw Henry waiting for me.
"What do you want, Henry? I'm not in the mood," I said, trying to avoid his gaze, not wanting him to notice my swollen eyes.
"I just wanted to let you know that I changed the bed to a new one."
What a joke. Of course, I knew he had already changed the bed; I was there. It seemed like he was feeling quite bold tonight. If he wanted me to move into his room, why didn't he just say so? Or maybe he was afraid I'd turn him down again.
I walked up to him seductively, slowly kissing his neck. Then I placed my hand on his soft skin, caressing gently. He moaned and begged me not to stop. He grabbed my breasts, but I held his hands and whispered in his ear, "Good night, Henry. Not tonight." I left him there and went into the bathroom to shower. He was gone by the time I came out.
Romance isn't what I came here for. I came for revenge, and I won't let anyone, not even Henry Dragon, ruin that for me.
The next morning, after brushing my teeth, I heard my phone ring. It was my boss. He tried to convince me to come back to work.
"I haven't processed your resignation letter yet. What do you say?"
I thanked him for his concern but told him that I wouldn't be returning to work just yet. I asked if he could wait for a month, after which I'd be happy to come back. He suggested I drop by the office to discuss the details further. I thanked him once again for calling, and we said our goodbyes.
Just as I hung up, I heard the honking of a car. Looking out the window, I saw one of the guards opening the gate. I recognized the car, it was Monica's. What in the world is she doing here this early in the morning?
I rushed downstairs, relieved that I was the first to see her.
"So, it's true. You're really back?" she fumed.
"You look like you're about to commit murder. Should I be scared?" I replied mockingly.
"You sly bitch! Was this your plan all along? I won't let you have Henry for yourself!" She pointed her finger at me, her eyes wild with fury.
I couldn't help but smirk. "Are you serious? Didn't your little informant tell you we never got divorced? That means Henry and I are still legally married. He's all mine."
"No, I can't let you do this to me. You deceived me!" she cried, her voice breaking.
I walked up to her and pushed her away, telling her to leave my house. She refused, struggling with me and insisting she wasn't going anywhere. Anger flared up inside me, and I punched her across the face. She fell to the ground, her nose bleeding.
I quickly called the security guards to throw her out of the house.
"What a weirdo. Why didn't she fight back? And why were the guards acting strange?" I wondered.
As I turned to leave, I was shocked to find Mrs. Dragon and Henry standing there. They must have been watching for a while. No wonder Monica didn't retaliate and the guards were acting weird.
This was Monica's plan all along, to make me look like the villain in Henry's eyes.