The Wrong Woman

With roadside parking off-limits, Sean skillfully maneuvered the car into the nearest parking lot.
Equipped with a black umbrella, he splashed through the pooled water to join Elio, shielding him from the unrelenting rain.
At that moment, Sean found himself at a loss for words.
After all, he had been the one to bring Candice to this location.
Upon returning to the banquet, Sean discovered that Elio was already outside, making his way directly to this very spot. Having
stood by Elio's side for many years, Sean was intimately familiar with almost every aspect of his life.
What he witnessed in Elio was a man devoid of joy, weighed down by the expectations of his parents.
Every facet of Elio's existence-his career, his future, even his marriage-had been meticulously orchestrated by them.
Since birth, Elio had never experienced true autonomy. He was merely a puppet shaped by the Hoffis family to inherit their
fortune.
For someone like Elio, who had always been drawn to Candice's carefree and innocent spirit, she appeared as an unattainable
dream, a vision of happiness forever beyond his grasp.
Sean trembled as the biting wind whipped around him, accompanied by relentless raindrops that felt like they were piercing deep
into his core.
Though Sean was only partially damp, Elio was thoroughly soaked. Undoubtedly, Elio must have felt even colder.
Apart from the physical discomfort, witnessing the intimate moments inside the restaurant must have been a tormenting ordeal
for him.
With genuine concern, Sean expressed his worry. "Mr. Hoffis, you're soaked through. You'll catch a cold if you stay out here any
longer. Why don't we head back?"
Despite Sean's plea, Elio remained silent. He stood unmoving, his silence conveying more than words ever could.
Time stretched on, each moment heavier than the last.

As time dragged on, Sean felt the cold seeping deeper into his bones, causing his body to tremble. His teeth chattered
incessantly, and his hands grew increasingly numb. Suddenly, the restaurant door swung open, and Mervyn emerged. Seeing
the downpour, he swiftly opened a large umbrella, shielding Candice from the rain.
With a protective arm around her, he drew her close, offering both shelter and warmth.
After an hour of enduring the rain, Elio finally stirred.
He turned around slowly, facing away from Candice and Mervyn.
At that moment, Sean swiveled and lowered his umbrella, ensuring that Candice and Mervyn's view remained concealed.
As they walked, Candice nestled into Mervyn's embrace, her gaze fixed on the pooling water beneath her feet.
In a hushed tone, she lamented, "It's been pouring for two hours straight. When will it ever let up?"
"It does seem like we've had a lot of rain lately. Make sure you take your umbrella with you next time you go out," Mervyn gently
reminded her.
"I know," Candice replied, her voice tinged with resignation.
"Hurry up, let's dash for the parking lot up ahead. That's where my car is parked," Mervyn suggested.
"Merv, could you adjust the umbrella? You're leaning it all on me, and your clothes are soaked," Candice pointed out.
"It's fine," Mervyn assured her.
Following him, Candice made her way to the parking lot and entered the car.
Without delay, Mervyn turned up the heater and offered her a fresh towel.
Although Candice wasn't drenched, her shoes were completely soaked. As she wiped them dry, she glanced up and noticed a
vehicle in the opposite parking spot with a familiar license plate.
She paused abruptly, scanning her surroundings.
Wasn't Sean supposed to have left by now?

Had he been waiting here for two hours in this rain?
Unable to resist, Candice reached for her phone and dialed Sean's number.
Meanwhile, Mervyn ignited the car's engine and drove away slowly.
Just then, Sean's phone rang unexpectedly, catching him off guard. His voice wavered slightly as he answered, "Hello, Ms.
Candice." "Mr. Lowe, why is your car still parked near the restaurant? Haven't you left yet?"
"No," Sean admitted.
"You really didn't have to wait for me. Merv is already escorting me back to the hotel. Given this heavy rainfall, you should head
home and get some rest," Candice insisted. en.swhovels.net
"Alright, Ms. Candice," Sean acquiesced.
"I'm truly sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. Thank you for being patient," Candice expressed her gratitude.
"Ms. Candice, there's no need to thank me. It's the least I can do," Sean assured her.
Nonetheless, Candice couldn't help but notice a notable tremor in Sean's voice, as if he were enduring the chill of the rain.
Perplexed Candice bid him farewell before ending the call. As she settled back in her seat, her thoughts gradually drifted to Elio,
his angry expression lingering in her mind. en.swhovels.net