Chapter 3 Lost and Uneasy

To get to the bottom of this, Cecilia suggested, "Sophie, can you help me ask on social media if anyone got a front-facing photo of that couple?"

"Don't worry, I was going to ask even if you didn't say anything."

Sophie said it was too late today and she'd ask tomorrow morning. After saying a bunch of comforting words to Cecilia, she finally hung up and let her rest.

The next day.

Cecilia saw Sebastian off, then dropped Molly at kindergarten.

She couldn't wait to call Sophie and arrange to meet at Lakeside Park.

Sophie was Cecilia's classmate from middle school and high school. Both were from River City. Although they didn't end up at the same college, they'd stayed in touch and were close friends who could talk about anything.

When Cecilia arrived, Sophie had already found a quiet spot in their usual coffee shop.

A white laptop sat in front of her, her long, pale fingers typing away constantly.

Seeing Cecilia come in, she waved at her.

Cecilia walked over quickly and sat down, teasing, "Busy already this early in the morning?"

"Not all of us have it as easy as you!"

Cecilia raised an eyebrow and couldn't help rolling her eyes. "You think I want it this way? Someone has to sacrifice for the family, and I'm the one willing to sacrifice myself."

Sophie finished typing the last few words, closed her laptop, and gave Cecilia a thumbs-up. "You're amazing!"

Then she picked up her coffee and took a sip. "Cecilia, don't say I didn't warn you - women can't just revolve around family. You need your own career, otherwise sooner or later you'll be left behind by society and abandoned by your man."

Cecilia knew Sophie was speaking the truth.

"I asked on social media!"

Hearing this, Cecilia anxiously pressed, "Did anyone get a front-facing shot?"

Sophie looked at Cecilia, worry showing on her face. "Deep down, have you already decided that back view was Sebastian's?"

"No..."

Cecilia wanted to explain, but just then Sophie's phone rang.

"What... stay where you are, I'll be right there!"

Sophie stood up, packing her laptop while saying, "Cecilia, I have an emergency. I'll call you!"

With that, she'd already rushed out of the coffee shop.

With Sophie bailing on her, Cecilia went home with a lot of questions. The messages she sent Sophie got no reply either.

She desperately wanted to know if anyone had photographed that couple's faces.

With things on her mind, Cecilia picked up Molly late and kept making mistakes while cooking.

And Sebastian happened to bring Brenda over for dinner.

As soon as Brenda entered, she acted like she owned the place, as if she were the lady of the house.

She changed into her own slippers, tossed her bag onto the sofa, and came to the dining table as if to inspect it, criticizing the food. "Is this soup or water? Why is everything burnt? Sebastian worked hard all day, and this is what you're feeding him?"

Brenda was always pointing fingers at Cecilia's affairs. After so many times, it made Cecilia physically disgusted by this behavior.

Cecilia held back her anger and tried to explain gently, "Sebastian had a checkup at the hospital last week. The doctor said his blood sugar and cholesterol were a bit high and told him to eat light."

"But he can't eat this stuff every day, can he? Who can stand this?"

Brenda still wouldn't let it go and shamelessly made another demand. "Got any chicken wings? Make some chicken wings!"

Cecilia couldn't take it anymore. "No, if you want some, go buy them yourself!"

"What's your attitude?"

Cecilia shot back immediately, "What about my attitude? Do I have an obligation to cook for you? My husband hasn't said anything, yet you come to my house for free meals and criticize everything - who taught you these manners?"

Sebastian was changing clothes in the bedroom. Hearing the commotion, he rushed out. "Brenda, what's going on? Making Cecilia angry again? What did you promise me when we came?"

Faced with Sebastian's three questions in a row, Brenda whined pitifully, "I didn't..."

"Apologize to Cecilia right now, or you're not allowed to come over for meals anymore!"

"Sebastian!"

Sebastian kept a stern face, his attitude firm. "Acting cute won't work. Either apologize or don't come back!"

Brenda knew Sebastian's temper and had to say reluctantly, "Cecilia, I'm sorry!"

With Sebastian standing up for her, Cecilia responded coolly, "Whatever!"

Noticing she wasn't in a good mood, Sebastian untied the apron from Cecilia and said very thoughtfully, "Honey, go play with Molly. I'll cook two more dishes!"

Seeing this, Brenda immediately fawned, "I love Sebastian's cooking the most. Let me help you! Sebastian, you're so great - what if I can't like any other man after this?"

Sebastian immediately scolded her with a cold face, "Stop talking nonsense or get out!"

"Okay, okay, I'll stop. Let me help you prep the vegetables!"

Cecilia couldn't stand Brenda's clingy behavior toward Sebastian and went to the living room to be with Molly.

After watching TV for a bit, her phone rang. It was Sophie calling.

Cecilia got up and went to the bedroom. "You finally finished your work?"

"Sorry about this morning - had an emergency!"

"It's fine!" Though Cecilia was anxious to know about the photos, she patiently showed concern for Sophie. "Did you handle everything okay?"

"Mostly done!"

As a TV host, Sophie was sort of in the entertainment circle, so there were many things she couldn't share.

Cecilia was tactful and respected her profession, so she generally didn't ask too many questions.

Hearing the exhaustion in her voice, Cecilia advised with concern, "Don't push yourself too hard!"

"What choice do I have? I don't have your family background, and I didn't find someone as reliable as your husband. I can only work hard to climb up on my own!"

She sighed with a hoarse voice, then brought the conversation back to the point. "About the photos - I asked around. They didn't get any front-facing shots of that couple!"

Hearing Sophie's envious words made Cecilia feel a bit strange inside, but this feeling was quickly overshadowed by the rest of what she said.

She sounded disappointed. "Nothing?"

Cecilia's tone shocked Sophie. "Why do I get the feeling you're hoping that man's back view was Sebastian's?"

"Not at all!" Cecilia laughed awkwardly.

Sebastian was her husband - why would she hope he was cheating?

She just felt it was a shame.

If the front view really wasn't Sebastian, it would prove he hadn't lied to her or betrayed her.

Everything would just be a coincidence, and she'd been overthinking!

"Although no one got a front shot, here's the thing - my friend said the restaurant happened to be having an event that day, and the TV station was recording a show. I can ask my colleagues - maybe they filmed some of the dining customers."