Leia’s tone was firm because she didn’t want either of them to have any regrets. She left the


    apartment and took the elevator downstairs, and wasn’t surprised to find that Xavier didn’t


    men are pigs! There’s no end to their greed!”


    At that moment, she felt as if she had been sinking into an abyss she couldn’t pull herself


    out of.


    Come to think of it, she was probably cursed to only have one-sided loves- first with William


    Jones, now with Xavier Stuart. All she ever amounted to was the ‘rebound’… fated to return


    to the sidelines once the actual love interest returned.


    It was tragic.


    Was this fate? If it was, maybe she should just do away with love for the rest of her life!


    Leia soon returned to Carmine Pawnshop, cutting a miserable figure. However, when she


    stepped through the front door, there was a loud ‘pop’ overhead as confetti rained down on


    her.


    “Wee back, Miss Osborne!”


    Chase had a saucer of olive oil, anointing her to do away with bad luck, while Renee


    unleashed party poppers all around in celebration. They had been waiting for her for some


    time now, and happily celebrated her return.


    “It’s been hard on you, Leia!” Renee had puffy eyes as she gave Leia a bear hug. Her eyes


    gleamed as she whispered excitedly, “So? How did it gost night? Did you manage to seal


    the deal?”


    The chemistry between them had been all too obviousst night, and


    Renee was convinced that it was just a matter of time. Luck had not been on their side for a


    while now, so Renee would be happy if Leia managed to find love.


    “Renee, don’t mention that name around me ever again if you consider me your friend… or


    it’s over between us,” Leia told Renee and everyone else, her tone uncharacteristically grim.


    She had been hurt terribly, so it was only natural that she wanted to distance herself from


    everything rted to that man.


    “Well… Alright, as long as you’re home.” Renee could not bring herself to ask Leia what


    happened, despite her overwhelming curiosity. Inwardly, she was cursing Xavier—what on


    earth did he do to hurt Leia so badly?


    Nheless, after half a watermelon, two mangoes, three packs of cherries, dozens of


    grilled skewers, and a pot of stewed mutton, Leia felt slightly better.


    She burped in satisfaction and mmed her hand on the table as she dered, “Men are all


    just condiments. They’re nowhere as delightful as a good meal, so getting sad over them


    would just be bringing myself unnecessary grief.”


    “Exactly! They are just condiments-they’re just nice sometimes, but they’re not a necessity,”


    Renee echoed.


    “Cheers!” Both women eximed as they clinked sses.


    Renee was supposed to only be Leia’s chaperone, but somehow her sadness also arose as


    she drank, and she began toin through tears and snot, “I’m telling you, Leia, Xavier


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    isn’t that bad… When ites to people like Stefan Hunt, you’ll be left wondering why


    you’re even alive… Did you know hepletely forgot about me? He’d even be lovey-dovey


    with Seraphina right in front of me! I’m supposed to be his wife, but I feel like the other


    woman now. Do you know how much that hurts?”