A Farewell After Being Reborn

Sage didn’t expect Donald to buy a gift for Ian as well. But apart from that, he intended to give it to him under her name. The old man had certainly thought it through.

ཚ བྷ�ྒཾ

Since Donald had set things up, Sage had no choice but to play along in Ian’s presence. She took the box from Susan and handed it to Ian. “Here.”

“What is it?” Ian asked calmly.

She responded equally calmly, “You’ll know once you check it out.”

Alright now, you can have a couple’s talk later. For now, take a seat and have something,” Susan said to them.

The staff at the revolving restaurant were busy helping customers grill the seafood they ordered.

Sage took the nearest seat, and Ian sat beside her. Susan, a lover of heavy foods, ordered a mountain of seafood and had the chefs grill them for the party. Not only that, she requested for them to add more spices and garlic seasoning.

“Aunt Susan, Ian doesn’t take spicy foods,” Sage blurted out, her mind still on the gift from Donald. She noticed a faint smile on Ian’s lips but pretended not to

see it.

Since Ian was a picky eater, she had put in the effort to memorize the list of foods he wouldn’t take. When Susan mentioned the spices, Sage reacted instinctively.

“Sage, you should order the food since you know Ian’s preferences the best!” Susan handed her the tablet used for ordering.

Sage refused to take it. “It’s fine, Aunt Susan. Just decide for us. There’s a lot of food going around anyway. He can find something else to eat if he can’t take the spices. He won’t starve tonight.”

Susan did not insist. She ordered some expensive seasonal foods for dinner. Meanwhile, Owen started discussing business with Ian. The two chatted merrily as the table slowly filled with food.

Just as Sage was thinking about Layla and wondering how to bring up the topic, she heard a crisp voice pierce the air.

“Dad! Mom!” Sage turned around and saw Layla, who was dressed fashionably, skipping over to them.

Susan explained, “Layla told me she was nearby and hadn’t had dinner, so I invited her to join us.”

Layla jogged over, a huge smile appearing on her face when she noticed Ian. ” Ian, you’re here as well!”

lan grunted in reply but said nothing else. Sage joked. “Do you not notice me at all?” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Layla glanced at Sage and reluctantly greeted her. “Hey, Sage.” Then, she took a

seat beside Ian.

He immediately protested, albeit calmly, “I’m not used to having someone sitting

to my right.”

Layla was in the midst of sitting down but froze upon hearing his comment. Sage fought the urge to laugh at his nonsensical excuse. He should have told Layla outright that he didn’t want her sitting beside him!

He gave Sage a side–eye when he sensed that she was holding back laughter. She simply responded with a glare.

Layla was already embarrassed by Ian’s remark, and she grew more irritated when she noticed the quiet exchange between Ian and Sage.

She said, “Sage, I heard you’re getting a divorce from Ian, no? Why are you sitting beside him then? Why don’t you give your seat to others?”

Sage chuckled. “Shall I give my seat to you?”

Noticing Ian’s lackluster response, Layla puffed her chest and challenged Sage.” It’s just a seat. Don’t tell me you’re going to fuss over it.”

Owen and Susan képt silent. Sage wondered if they were silently showing their support for Layla, or if they too wanted Layla to just shut up and sit down.

** +15 BONUS

She scoffed. She didn’t even care for the title of Mrs. Holcomb. Naturally, she wouldn’t bat an eye at giving up her seat. She grabbed her phone and rose from her seat, but was met with lan’s scrutiny.