Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 323

"West?" Silvanus blinked in surprise. There weren't many people with that last name in their circle. Then something seemed to click. "Wait—Mr. West from Stonewarden Group ... is he your ... "

"He's my father," Roxanne said smoothly.

"So you're the Wests's daughter."

Silvanus smiled politely, though there was clear confusion in his eyes. Still, since neither Roxanne nor Ethan seemed interested in explaining, he didn't press. After a few polite words, he took his wife, Eudora Leonard, and moved to greet another group.

As they passed, their hushed conversation floated right to Dawn's ears.

"How could that be?" Eudora whispered. "You showed me a picture before—Mr. Ethan's wife wasn't her."

Silvanus sighed. "Young people these days have such messy personal lives. I don't even try to understand it anymore."

When they walked away, Dawn's view cleared—and there they were.

Roxanne was holding onto Ethan's arm.

His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't push her away.

For a long moment, Dawn couldn't breathe. The air felt thick and heavy in her chest. She raised a trembling hand to her face, half-hoping this was some kind of hallucination.

But the coldness on her skin was real.

She should've been ready for this. She'd seen the rumors online, read the speculation. But seeing it with her own eyes still felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

Dawn lowered her gaze and forced herself to look away. Her fingers shook slightly as she stood and walked toward the restroom.

The sound of running water filled the air. She scrubbed her hands hard—hard enough to turn them red—before shutting off the tap.

When she finally looked up, the face staring back at her in the mirror was pale but calm. After a deep breath, she turned to leave.

And just like fate wanted to mock her, Ethan and Roxanne were there.

Roxanne was waiting by the window in the hallway outside, arms folded like she'd been expecting this meeting.

"Dawn. What a coincidence." Roxanne's tone dripped with fake sweetness as her eyes swept up and down Dawn's gown. "Wow. You actually look ... decent when you try. Like a grown woman now. Has Ethan seen you yet?"

She lifted a manicured finger, pretending to offer advice.

"He's right outside. Why don't you go show him?"

Dawn's hand tightened around her skirt. Her voice stayed calm. "Did I not hit you hard enough last time?"

Roxanne froze, her smirk faltering for a split second.

"If you think I didn't, I can fix that right now," Dawn said, stepping closer with that half-smile that didn't reach her eyes. Roxanne's face twisted. She instinctively backed up two steps. "Dawn ... are you crazy?"

"You wanted to see me lose it, didn't you?" Dawn's voice was cold as ice. "Otherwise, why keep provoking me?"

"I ... I just wanted you to know that Ethan already agreed to be with me! If you have any dignity left, you should file for divorce yourself!"

Dawn gave a short laugh. "And what if I don't?"

"Alright." Jonathan reached for her hand. She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. Eventually, she gave up and let him hold it.

"I still need to say goodbye to Mr. Leonard," he said. "Do you want to wait in the car or come with me?"

Dawn thought of Silvanus and Eudora's earlier words.

They'd seen her picture.

If Eudora could recognize that Roxanne wasn't Ethan's wife, then she'd definitely recognize her. If she went with Jonathan to say goodbye, it would look ... wrong.

A humorless smile tugged at her lips—she wasn't even sure who she was mocking anymore.

"You go ahead," she said quietly. "I'll wait in the car."

She followed the bodyguard outside.

But just as she neared the parking lot, she froze.

That voice—familiar and sharp—cut through the cool night air. "I told you not to mess with her. Didn't I?"

Ethan's voice was low and full of anger, stripped of its usual warmth.

Roxanne didn't look scared. If anything, she seemed smug.

She lifted a hand to his chest, her blood-red nails catching the light as she casually straightened his collar.