With that reminder, Ronald suddenly recalled that after returning to the country, Sarah’s dressing style had always been luxurious, exuding an air of unattainable nobility. But his deepest impression of her was from high school when everyone was simple.
Sarah had lost that simplicity. By comparison, Elisa seemed purer and more straightforward.
Today, did Sarah come without dressing up to evoke memories of the past?
Ronald led Elisa over to where Sarah was standing.
Sarah was eating a blueberry cupcake when she suddenly saw them approaching. She felt a mix of emotions. She had already made it clear to Ronald and Elisa that she loved her husband the most and wasn’t going to be at odds with Elisa anymore. So why were they coming over?
Elisa assumed a hostess-like posture and said, “Sarah, you haven’t talked to Ronald since you arrived and have just been eating. Are you in a bad mood? If so, you can talk to me about it.”
Merry crossed her arms, fully embracing her role as the villainous sidekick, and said, “Why would our Sarah be unhappy? Shouldn’t you be the one who knows best?”
Elisa’s face turned pale, and she looked pitifully at Ronald. “Ronald, did I say something wrong again?”
Ronald cast an annoyed glance at Merry. For Sarah’s sake, he didn’t say anything to Merry but then looked at Sarah.
Sarah said, “Uh, happy birthday. The desserts here are really good.”
For some reason, Ronald felt a bit disappointed. “Is that all?”
Sarah replied, “Yeah, time was too short, so I forgot to get you a birthday present. But it seems like you didn’t get me anything for my last birthday either. So, let’s call it even.”
Ronald’s expression changed multiple times. He had been mad at Sarah and just showed up with Elisa for Sarah’s birthday, without any gift, because Elisa was jealous.
But-Sarah couldn’t compare to him, could she? When it was his birthday, even if Sarah was abroad, she’d send a lavish gift.
Elisa felt even more conflicted. She didn’t expect Sarah to have become so clever, using reverse psychology to win Ronald’s heart.
Ronald huffed, “Fine, no gift then.”
David, eyeing Elisa’s outfit, suddenly spoke up, “Elisa, your dress looks a lot like what Sarah wore at her high school graduation.”
A few of Elisa’s friends walked over and, hearing David’s comment, frowned. “How could it be? Elisa’s dress is the latest from the C brand. There’s no way it resembles an outdated dress from years ago.”
Merry, hearing this, also thought Elisa’s dress looked familiar. “Yeah, that’s why it seemed odd. It does look similar. Sarah looked amazing in it, but on Elisa, it’s just okay, so I didn’t realize at first.”
Elisa looked at Ronald in a panic. “Is that so? Ronald, Sarah, and I have a similar taste in fashion.”
Ronald felt a wave of mixed emotions. He still remembered how stunning Sarah had looked in that dress. Elisa did bear a resemblance to Sarah in that outfit.
Back then, Ronald had planned to confess to Sarah and ask her to be his girlfriend. But then, he heard she was going abroad. The higher the expectations, the more disappointing the end.
Ronald coldly said, “Ignore them, Elisa. You look better in it.”
Elisa’s friends, hearing Ronald’s words, became even more arrogant. “Did you hear that? Elisa looks better in it.”
“About wearing the same outfit, whoever looks worse feels awkward.”
“…”
Many of Ronald’s high school friends had come to celebrate his birthday. Hearing the commotion, they came over.
One girl, noticing Elisa’s friends’ taunts, was surprised. “Is that Elisa? You look so different! Your eyes seem bigger, and your nose looks more defined. You’ve really transformed over the years. You do look a bit like Sarah now.”
Elisa’s friends knew what was going on, but since they were on Elisa’s side, they quickly added, “Girls get prettier as they grow up.”
David scoffed.
Others started talking among themselves.
“Elisa’s changed a lot, and she’s with Ronald now.”
“If you look closely, Elisa’s dress is really similar to what Sarah wore at her high school graduation. I still think Sarah looked better. A dream girl is always a dream girl, hasn’t changed much over the years.”
“Yeah, but if Ronald chose Elisa, she must have some good qualities.”
“…”
Listening to all this chatter, Ronald felt embarrassed.
One of Elisa’s friends spoke up, “Of course, our Elisa has great qualities, which is why Ronald loves her so much. Unlike some people who shamelessly try to be a homewrecker.”
Merry immediately got angry and shoved Elisa’s friend. “Who are you calling a homewrecker? It’s Elisa who’s been copying Sarah to get ahead.”
Sarah sighed and gently pulled Merry back. “Merry, don’t argue with her.”
The other party didn’t name anyone specifically; going up like that was too impulsive.
Merry was furious, her face turning red as she glared at Elisa.
Sarah spoke calmly, “I don’t know who you’re talking about, but to avoid any misunderstanding, I should mention that I’m married.”
Sarah had kept her marriage a secret, so none of her classmates knew. They all thought she still had unrequited feelings for Ronald. Hearing this, everyone was shocked.
Ronald was even more stunned. He never imagined Sarah would announce her marriage in public.
Facing everyone’s confusion, Sarah continued coolly, “My husband is great in every way, and we are very happy together. I’m here for Ronald’s birthday because we were just high school classmates, like everyone else.”
She emphasized the words “high school classmates.”
Ronald’s face turned ashen. He pulled Elisa closer, telling himself that Elisa was the most important woman to him now.
Ronald, holding Elisa, glared at Sarah. “Sarah, have Merry apologize. She shouldn’t have gotten physical.”
“There’s no way she’s apologizing,” Sarah said, shielding Merry behind her. “Some people have such foul mouths, it’s a miracle they’ve lived this long.”
Elisa’s friends trembled with anger. “You-”
Sarah smiled. “I didn’t mention any names, don’t take it personally.”
With the situation getting so heated, there was no point in staying.
Sarah looked at Merry and David. “Let’s go.”
David, who was friends with both Sarah and Ronald, hesitated but followed Sarah.
As they passed Ronald, David paused. “Ronald, you’ve really disappointed me. You know who’s causing the trouble.”
Ronald watched Sarah walk away with a dark expression. It was the worst birthday he ever had and the first time since knowing Sarah that he didn’t get a gift from her.
Elisa, nervously watching Ronald’s face, asked, “Ronald, are you mad? It’s my fault… I’ll go ask Sarah to come back.”
“No need,” Ronald sneered. “If she were half as sensible as you, she wouldn’t have stormed out.”
The classmates who witnessed the drama started gossiping.
“Wow, Elisa changed so much. She’s so lucky to be with Ronald.”
“I used to think Ronald and Sarah would end up together. They were the perfect match in high school.”
“I wonder who Sarah married. He must be quite impressive.”
“…”
Elisa’s friend quickly interjected, “She married an old, rich man.”
Everyone’s faces went blank, not quite believing it.
But Elisa’s friend added fuel to the fire, making it sound real.
“That guy is just a bit richer than Ronald. Sarah saw his money and clung to him, insisting on marrying him.”
“Your dream girl is just a gold digger who would give up everything for money.”
“I’ve seen Sarah’s husband. He’s not even 5’7″, shorter than Sarah, pot-bellied, and balding.”
She spoke convincingly, and the high school classmates exchanged looks.
“Really?”
“I can’t believe it… I thought Sarah would at least find someone equally good-looking.”
Elisa heard her friend talking nonsense and cautiously glanced at Ronald’s face.