Twenty-Six receipts of betrayal Novel novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Elara hadn’t expected to run into him here either.

She didn’t answer. Just threw the question back at him. “What are YOU doing here?”

Nicholas flinched, a flash of panic in his eyes.

“Oh, uh–meeting a friend for lunch around the corner. Saw you and figured I’d check in.”

Before Elara could respond, the passenger door swung open. Valentina stepped out, smiling as she positioned herself between them.

“Nicholas, is this your wife?”

Nicholas clearly hadn’t expected her to get out. His panic doubled, but he forced himself to stay calm.

“Elara, this is… uh, my friend, Valentina Cross.”

Valentina extended her hand politely. “Nice to finally meet you! What brings you all the way out here?”

Elara ignored the outstretched hand. She kept her eyes down, voice barely above a whisper. “Checking something off my birthday list. Getting photos done.”

Valentina’s eyes lit up.

“Photos? Oh my God, can I tag along? I’m actually really good at this stuff–I could help you with outfits, poses, all that.”

Elara glanced at Nicholas. He said nothing.

So she didn’t refuse.

The three of them got into the car. Elara sat alone in the back, staring out the window.

At first, the car was silent. Nicholas was tense, barely speaking.

Then Valentina started chatting–casually bringing up some new movie that just dropped.

Nicholas responded politely at first. But she kept going–hitting every topic he was into.

Gradually, he got pulled in. Started talking more and laughing.

He forgot there was someone in the backseat.

When they arrived, he hopped out and walked ahead with Valentina without a second thought.

Elara watched them disappear toward the entrance. Then, alone, she maneuvered her wheelchair out of the car and followed.

As the three of them reached the studio entrance, a greeter rushed over–heading straight for Nicholas and Valentina with a bright smile.

“Welcome! You guys here for engagement photos? You two are adorable together-”

Nicholas’s face immediately hardened.

“What the hell are you talking about? My wife is right behind us.”

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Twenty–Six Receipts of Betrayal: My Silence Was the Countdown to His Eternal Regret

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Chapter 5

The greeter’s face went beet red. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry! You guys just looked so cute together and you were talking the whole time, I just–I’m really, really sorry.”

That’s when Nicholas seemed to remember. He hurried back to Elara, guilt written all over his face.

Valentina scurried back too, putting on her best “oops” face.“Oh no, I’m so sorry! We got so caught up talking, we totally forgot about you. You should’ve said something!”

Elara just watched their little performance. She was too tired for this.

It used to be HER and Nicholas who were inseparable, talking for hours about their dreams and their future…

Now there was nothing but silence between them.

The silence between them felt suffocating.

The greeter, sensing the tension, jumped in to save the moment.

“So! What kind of session are we doing today?”

Both Nicholas and Valentina turned to Elara.

She answered flatly. “Lifestyle portraits.”

Valentina’s eyes gleamed. She had an idea.

“Okay, here’s what we’ll do. You go pick out your outfits, and Nick and I will do a few test shots so you can see how the poses work. That way it’ll be way easier for you when it’s your turn.”

Before Elara could say anything, Valentina was already dragging Nicholas toward the studio.

At first, Nicholas seemed reluctant. But Valentina kept guiding him–adjusting his stance, telling him where to look. Slowly, he started getting

into it.

They took a few shots. Then a few more.

Valentina stood on her tiptoes and pinched his cheek playfully. “Come on, grumpy. Smile for me.”

Nicholas looked down at her–at the spark in her eyes–and smiled.

(4)

Talentu Civ Decoints of Betrayal My Silence Was the Countdown to His Eternal Regret