Ondine hadn't seen Zaria in three and a half years. The summer after high school graduation, Zaria had confessed her feelings to Yohan Payne, only to be rejected. She had left for university abroad and hadn't returned once.Ondine knew how much Zaria had loved Yohan. Riverdale was a city of heartbreak for her. But now, four years later, she had finally found the courage to come back."Ondine!" Zaria's eyes lit up the moment she saw her. "I thought you weren't going to be here!""My mom was transferred to Boreal, so I had some free time. I wanted to surprise you," Ondine said with a smile. Seth had kept it a secret from Zaria for that veryreason."Oh my God, I've missed you so much!" Zaria threw her arms around Ondine in a tight hug. "It's been over three years! You've gotten even more beautiful."Ondine laughed. "You must be tired after such a long flight.""I was, but seeing you makes it all go away." Zaria, as bright and cheerful as ever, handed Ondine a bag. "A gift for you."noveldrama"Thank you." As Ondine took it, Zaria's expression suddenly changed. She looked from Seth to Ondine, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Wait a minute. Why are you two here together?"On the way to the airport, Seth had asked if he should tell Zaria about their marriage. Ondine had hesitated. Sensing her reservation, he had suggested they keep it a secret for now.Ondine's main concern was the Thorne family. It was one of Riverdale's most prominent families, and Seth was the Thorne Group's president. His wife was supposed to be a debutante from a family of equal standing, not an ordinary girl like her. Get full chapters from fındnovel.netWith her mother's illness and the mounting medical bills, she felt like a burden, a bottomless pit of expenses. Even if the money was nothing to Seth, it was an astronomical sum to her. She was grateful for his help, but it only deepened her feelings of inadequacy. She was sure the Thornes would never accept her.And then there was Zaria. Ondinetherewanted to remain her best friend, not become her sister-in-law. Besides, who knew what the futureheld? thSeth heund someonetrulyfoved, a quiet divorce would be easier if no one knew they were married in the first place As Ondine scrambled for an excuse, Seth spoke up. "We weren't together. Wejust ran into each other at the entrance.""Yeah, we both came to pick you up and happened to arrive at the same time," Ondine added quickly.The explanation was plausible enough, and Zaria didn't question it.The city lights of Riverdale sparkled as they drove. Zaria chattered nonstop catching Ondine up on her life abroad. The years apart had done nothing to diminish their friendship. Ondine listened intently, a gentle smile on her face.After a while, Zaria took a sip of water and asked, "So, what's going on with youand that guy, Ellis?"Seth's posture stiffened slightly.Ondine's voice was soft. "We broke up."Although she hadn't officially toldEllis yet, in her mind, it was over. The moment she was on that plane tomorrow she would block him on everything. "When? Why? I thought you were so in love with him," Zaria pressed.At the words "so in love," Seth's fingers curled into a fist, a cold glint in his eyes.