Chapter 1004 New Beginnings for Everyone

I managed a smile, kept my thoughts to myself, and decided it was time to bow out of this love scene. I was about to make my exit when Idris' deep voice commanded the sales assistant softly, "Wrap it up." With a graceful motion, he presented his Black Card. "Let me take care of it, Iddy. You've spoiled me enough with gifts today. I can't keep letting you foot the bill," Cambria insisted, rummaging for her card. Idris simply said, "Don't worry about it." He handed his card to the sales assistant, then turned to Cambria. "Take a look around and see if anything else catches your eye." Their conversation was hushed, but in the quiet store, I could hear every word. Not that it mattered. I was just a bystander to their love story. "Yvette, anything here you fancy?" Emily popped out from the private room and hurried over, her eyes quickly drifting to Idris and Cambria standing not too far away. Emily's eyebrows knitted together when she noticed the sales assistant handing Idris' sleek Black Card back to him and giving Cambria a chic gift bag. She shot me a look, biting back the words she seemed eager to say. I grinned at her. "Spot anything you like?" She nodded, drawing her attention away from the pair behind me. "What were you chatting about with them?" "Just small talk," I replied with a shrug. "I spotted a gorgeous bracelet, and it turns out Ms. Fuller and Mr. Young fancied it too, so we talked for a bit." "They liked it as well?" Emily's frown deepened. "Did Iddy get it for Ms. Fuller?" I gave a slight nod. "It's getting dark. Time to head home, right?" Emily pressed her lips together, murmuring her agreement softly. However, instead of leaving, she tugged me back to Idris and Cambria, offering a casual hello. "Iddy, keeping Ms. Fuller company on her shopping spree?" Idris' gaze lingered on me. "We were just passing by. Ms. Fuller wanted to check out the store." "Oh..." Emily's voice trailed teasingly. "So, Ms. Fuller, found something that caught your eye?" With a gentle smile, Cambria raised her bag slightly. "Ms. Scott and I both fell for the same bracelet. She graciously let me have it, and Iddy generously footed the bill." Emily could not resist a playful jab. "Remarried guys sure have a knack for spoiling their ladies, huh?" She eyed Idris. "Never pegged you for the pampering type." The air grew tense. I had not expected Emily's mild manner to give way to such a sharp comment. I discreetly pulled at her sleeve and murmured, "Emily, let's not keep Mr. Young and Ms. Fuller from their shopping." Idris' expression had turned icy. I wondered if our interruption had soured his mood. I avoided his eyes and just tilted my head down a bit. I tried to get Emily to leave with me. Emily, for some reason, looked at Idris with a sudden flash of annoyance and said, "Alright, we'll just leave you two to your date." With that, she whisked me out of the shop. It was not until we were a block away that the chill I did not realize I was carrying began to melt away. I let out a relieved breath. Emily caught that and gave me a sideways glance, her brows furrowing together. "Yvette, you're telling me you don't feel a thing?" I paused, knowing she was referring to how I could see Idris with another woman and not get upset—not even a little bit. I inhaled slowly and faced her. "Emily, we've got to move on, right?" I had let Idris go, so it would not be fair to begrudge him the same chance at a fresh start. What happened there was bound to happen eventually. Emily bit her lip and let out a soft sigh. "Sure, moving on is necessary, but I can't help feeling a bit sad about it. You and Idris, me and Liam, our stories are different. You guys should've had a better ending." Her words made me smile, and I took her hand. "Come on, let's go grab a bite. It's already the afternoon, and I'm starving." She let out a sheepish 'Oops' and added, "I had coffee earlier and didn't even realize the time until you mentioned it. Let's go eat." We settled on a simple meal at a restaurant in the mall. As the rain outside started pouring down, Emily began to worry about picking up Ashley from her class and the potential traffic. We hurried through our meal, ready to brave the storm. With time to spare, I lingered in the mall, mulling over the perfect birthday present for the esteemed Madam Young. Gift in hand, I stepped outside only to be greeted by a downpour that had intensified during my shopping escapade.