I Choose Him, Your Worst Enemy novel Chapter 117

After accompanying Alice through the furniture store, Wynette took her to the mall afterward.

Since the furniture wouldn't be delivered anytime soon, Wynette figured Alice could just stay at her place for now.

Alice felt embarrassed about imposing. She could always stay at a hotel instead.

It was only for a few days anyway.

But Wynette insisted her house had plenty of empty rooms, and if Alice didn't mind, she could stay there temporarily.

In the end, after enough convincing from Wynette, Alice finally agreed.

The two of them were picking out daily necessities when Joanne called Wynette.

"Babe, can I come over to your place after work?" Joanne's voice sounded hoarse.

Wynette immediately asked with concern, "Are you sick?"

"Yeah." Joanne's voice softened with grievance. "I probably caught a chill from the wind last night. You know how crazy the weather's been lately. I don't wanna go home and stay by myself. Can I come see you instead?"

The second she had a quiet moment, Eli's face filled her mind.

Especially after Eli posted their wedding photos on social media today.

Like she was torturing herself on purpose, Joanne kept reopening the pictures whenever she had free time, letting the pain carve through her heart over and over again.

She wanted to distract herself by spending time with Wynette. Otherwise, she was afraid she'd lose all self-control and go looking for Eli.

Wynette glanced at the time. "Then I'll pick you up after work. A new restaurant just opened in the northern suburbs, and the reviews online are pretty good. Dinner's on me."

"You're the best." Joanne instantly sounded more cheerful.

Wynette glanced at Alice beside her and added, "I'm bringing a friend along too. You don't mind, right?"

She still made sure to ask Joanne first.

Joanne immediately perked up. "What friend? Do I know them?"

She wasn't upset at all about an extra person joining them. If anything, Joanne was curious about who exactly could make Wynette personally bring them around.

Smiling, Wynette replied, "You probably don't know her. We'll head over after we're done shopping."

Joanne quickly agreed.

After hanging up, Wynette turned to Alice with an invitation. "You don't have plans tonight anyway, right? Wanna come? Joanne's really easygoing. I'm sure you two will get along."

"Joanne?" Alice chuckled softly. "I've heard Adriel mention his troublesome little sister before. As long as you guys don't feel awkward bringing me along, I'm fine with it."

She figured anyone Wynette considered a friend probably wouldn't be a bad person.

Alice didn't mind making more friends.

Wynette brought Alice to wait outside Joanne's office.

For once, Joanne wasn't wearing a business suit today. Instead, she had on a fitted black knee-length dress with a cropped blazer over it.

From a distance, she spotted Wynette's car parked by the curb with the hazard lights flashing.

Wynette rolled down the front passenger window and motioned for Joanne to get into the front seat.

Alice was sitting in the back.

The moment Joanne got into the car, she greeted her warmly. "Hi, I'm Joanne Gallagher. Nice to meet you."

She took the initiative and reached out her hand toward Alice.

Alice smiled as she shook it. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Alice Tate. Just call me Alice."

Hearing that, Joanne grinned without any awkwardness at all. "Okay, Alice."

Honestly, Wynette hadn't been exaggerating at all. Alice really liked Joanne's personality.

She and Wynette were completely different types of people, but both of them made Alice feel comfortable around them.

Joanne hugged Wynette's arm and whined playfully, "Babe, hurry up and drive already. I'm starving."

As she spoke, she patted her stomach dramatically.

Wynette looked at her helplessly. "Here. Eat something first."

On the way there, Wynette had already prepared a slice of cake and a cup of hot cocoa for her.

She knew Joanne probably got too busy to eat again.

Joanne needed someone standing behind her, supporting her decision.

Staring at where Wynette's finger rested, Joanne grabbed her phone back and declared boldly, "I'll do it myself."

Even though she sounded determined, her finger hovered over Eli's contact without moving.

In the end, she still hesitated.

Wynette spoke patiently, "If you can't let go when you should, it'll only hurt you more later. A rotten piece of flesh has to be cut away completely, or the wound will never heal. It'll keep reopening and torturing you over and over until it gets worse and worse."

Seeing Joanne's hesitation and reluctance, Wynette stared at her quietly for a moment.

Ten seconds until the light turned green.

She figured if Joanne still couldn't do it within those ten seconds, she'd do it herself.

Ten...

Nine...

Eight...

Wynette counted down silently in her head.

Just before the countdown ended, Joanne finally moved.

She took a deep breath and steadied her trembling hand before finally adding Eli's contact to the blacklist.

Not just on the messaging app. She deleted and blocked his phone number too.

The entire process was smooth and decisive, leaving her absolutely no room to regret it.

Afterward, a sharp pain stabbed through Joanne's chest. Her eyes reddened instantly, like someone had ripped her apart piece by piece until she could barely breathe.

But at least she had done it.

She had personally severed the last remaining connection between herself and Eli.

The light turned green.

Wynette started driving again and quietly reached over to hold Joanne's icy hand, offering silent comfort and encouragement.