Our Accidental Forever
Chapter 100: A Game of Facades

Chapter 100: A Game of Facades

Joanne’s POV:

The door clicked shut behind me, and I had barely taken a step into Kate’s small but tidy apartment before her voice cut through the air.

"All right, Joanne," Kate said, her arms crossing as she leaned back against the wall, pinning me with that icy glare. "Let’s get on with it. I’ve got things to do, and wasting time isn’t one of them."

The dismissiveness in her tone made my jaw clench, but I caught myself just in time, forcing a sweet, unbothered smile onto my face. Breathe, Joanne. You’ve come this far.

"Of course," I said, my voice light and agreeable. "I won’t take up too much of your time."

I settled onto the edge of her couch, smoothing my skirt and composing myself. Kate remained standing, arms still crossed, her entire demeanor screaming that she didn’t want me here.

"So," I began, clasping my hands together and looking up at her as if I needed her wisdom. "Ella’s baby shower. I want it to be perfect, something she’ll always remember. To do that, I need your help."

Her brow arched, skepticism etched into her face. "And you expect me to believe you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Ella and she deserves the best," I said, sidestepping her barb. "I thought you might know her favorites, her favorite color, the kind of things she likes, so I can make sure everything is just right."

Kate hesitated, her eyes narrowing as if she were trying to read my mind. The silence stretched long enough to make my palms itch, but I held her gaze, smiling patiently.

Finally, she sighed, uncrossing her arms and pacing toward the small kitchen. "Her favorite color is sage green," she muttered begrudgingly.

"Sage green," I echoed, pretending to jot it down in my mind. "Lovely choice. It’ll set the perfect tone, elegant yet calming."

Kate gave me a withering look. "It’s a baby shower, Joanne, not a gala."

I chuckled lightly, brushing her sarcasm off. "Details matter, Kate. They’re what make an event special."

She leaned against the counter, clearly debating whether to give me more information.

Eventually, she spoke again, her voice clipped. "She likes simple things, nothing over the top. Fresh flowers, candles that don’t smell like a perfume factory. And keep it intimate. Ella hates big crowds."

I nodded along, my face a mask of appreciation. "Of course. Fresh flowers and intimate. Noted. What about food? Does she have any cravings or favorites we should include?"

Kate huffed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "She’s been obsessed with anything citrus lately. Lemon tarts, orange cake stuff like that."

"Citrus desserts. Got it," I said brightly. "This is great, Kate. Thank you."

Her frown deepened, and she looked at me like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. "Is that all?"

I smiled, tilting my head. "Almost. Do you know if she has any favorite flowers? I was thinking of incorporating them into the décor."

Kate rolled her eyes but answered anyway. "She likes lilies. White ones."

"Perfect," I said, as if she had handed me the keys to the kingdom. "Sage green, white lilies, citrus desserts. This is coming together beautifully."

Kate didn’t look impressed. She drummed her fingers against the counter, her impatience bubbling to the surface.

"Look," she said sharply, "you don’t need to keep buttering me up. I’ve told you what you need to know. Just make sure this doesn’t turn into some ridiculous circus."

I laughed lightly, though her tone grated against my nerves. "Oh, Kate, you have nothing to worry about. This is all for Ella, after all."

She gave me a long, hard stare, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"And," I added, leaning forward slightly as though to emphasize the importance of my next words, "it has to stay a secret. Ella can’t know anything about this."

Kate snorted, rolling her eyes again. "I’m not deaf, Joanne. I heard you the first time."

Her curt reply felt like a slap, and for a split second, the urge to snap back at her burned hot in my chest. My fingers curled into fists on my lap, but I quickly unclenched them, inhaling deeply through my nose. Calm down. Winning her over is more important than putting her in her place.

I forced another smile, sweet and composed. "Of course, I just wanted to make sure. Thank you so much for your help, Kate. I really appreciate it."

She didn’t reply, just moved to open the door, her movements stiff and uninviting. I rose gracefully, making my way to the door as though her attitude didn’t bother me in the slightest.

"Bye, Kate," I said cheerfully, stepping out.

She didn’t bother responding, and the door slammed shut with enough force to rattle the frame. If I hadn’t stepped back in time, it might have hit me in the face.

Standing on her doorstep, I stared at the closed door, my breath coming faster as anger boiled beneath my carefully composed exterior. My hands clenched into fists, and my nails bit into my palms.

How dare she?

I stood there for a moment, the tension coiling tighter and tighter in my chest. Finally, I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to move.

Storming down the steps, I made my way to my car, a sleek, glossy black Audi RS7 with tinted windows and polished chrome rims. Its interior was a haven of luxury: buttery leather seats, a crystal-clear touchscreen, and the faint, expensive scent of bergamot lingering in the air.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I slammed the door shut and gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

"That bitch," I snarled, my voice trembling with suppressed rage.

I tilted my head back against the seat, taking a deep breath before letting out a scream of frustration. The sound echoed in the confines of the car, raw and unfiltered.

"That bitch," I said again, quieter this time, venom dripping from every syllable. "She’ll pay for this. Oh, she will."

I sneered, my reflection in the rearview mirror twisting into something unrecognizable. "Her punishment will be worse than Ella’s," I muttered darkly, my grip on the wheel tightening again.

Forcing myself to calm down, I exhaled slowly and started the car. The engine purred smoothly, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me.

As I pulled out of the driveway, my mind raced with thoughts of retribution. Kate thought she could belittle me like that and get away with it? Never. Let her believe she’d won this round. When the time came, she wouldn’t see me coming.

I sped off, the car’s engine roaring as it tore down the street, my resolve stronger than ever.

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Author’s POV:

As the door slammed shut behind Joanne, Kate let out a slow, measured breath, leaning back against the wall.

For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of her refrigerator in the background.

Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the spot where Joanne had been sitting, her pristine white couch now somehow tainted by the woman’s mere presence.

Kate crossed her arms tightly, her mind swirling. She could see right through Joanne’s facade, the saccharine smiles, and the overly cheerful tone. Joanne was trying too hard. The forced sweetness in her voice had been almost comical if it wasn’t so obviously calculated.

"What is her actual plan?" Kate murmured to herself, her brow furrowing.

It wasn’t a matter of if Joanne had a hidden agenda, it was a matter of what it was. People like Joanne didn’t suddenly change overnight.

She had always been manipulative, always angling for something. The idea that she genuinely wanted to throw Ella a baby shower out of the goodness of her heart? Laughable.

Kate shook her head, her lips pressing into a tight line. "Ella," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration.

Her friend had always been too kind, too willing to give people second, third, even fourth chances. It was how she had tolerated Klaus for as long as she did, letting that infuriating man twist her heart into knots until he finally shattered it in a way she’d never forget.

Ella deserved better than someone like Joanne worming her way into her life, but Kate knew how easily Ella could be deceived.

"She sees the good in everyone," Kate muttered, almost bitterly. "Even when there’s none to be found."

Pushing herself off the wall, Kate walked over to the couch. She stared at the cushion where Joanne had perched, her stomach twisting at the thought of the woman sitting in her home, invading her space. Joanne didn’t belong here.

With a small shake of her head, Kate reached for a nearby disinfectant spray and a cloth. If anyone asked, she could claim she was being thorough, keeping the place tidy.

But deep down, she knew it was about more than cleanliness. Joanne’s presence had left an invisible residue she couldn’t ignore, and cleaning the couch felt like reclaiming her space.