I Thought She Was a Replacement

Chapter 5 I'll Get There Myself

That evening, Liliana received a message from her best friend, Riley.

The registration documents she had asked Riley to submit had already been accepted by the agency.

In just seven more days, she would finally be free to leave.

Liliana stared at the message for a long moment, lost in thought. Then her phone suddenly lit up.

A familiar number flashed across the screen.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Her fingers tightened around the phone before she even realized it. It was Anthony.

She hesitated for a few seconds, but in the end, she answered.

"Hello?" she said softly.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then his voice came through, familiar, yet strangely distant.

"Savannah's hosting a party in private room 502," Anthony said casually. "You should come by. She wants to thank you for what happened earlier."

Liliana froze. She almost asked him, "Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"

But every word out of his mouth had been about Savannah.

In the end, she said nothing.

"Do you need me to pick you up?" Anthony asked after a pause.

Liliana snapped out of her thoughts. "No. I'll get there myself."

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then the call ended.

Liliana didn't actually want to go. But she knew Anthony too well.

If Savannah wanted her there, Anthony would find a hundred different ways to make sure she showed up.

Her feelings had never mattered much to him.

Besides, she was curious. What kind of woman could stay in Anthony's heart for five whole years?

The moment Liliana stepped into the private room, her gaze was drawn immediately to the center of the crowd.

Savannah stood surrounded by people, glowing under the warm lights, laughter dancing easily across her face. Her smile was bright.

Liliana suddenly understood this was what a real socialite looked like.

When Savannah noticed Liliana entering, she immediately hurried over.

"Lyla! You came!" She grabbed Liliana's hand like they were old friends.

"I was worried you might be too tired after everything today," Savannah said sweetly. "I thought you might not show up!"

Before Liliana could react, Savannah had already pulled her into the middle of the group.

"Seriously, thank you for helping explain things earlier!" she said with a cheerful smile. "Otherwise these girls would've teased me to death!"

Despite her words, the women around them exchanged amused looks as they watched the scene unfold.

Swallowing her revulsion, Liliana showed a polite, empty smile.

"It was nothing."

Her eyes drifted around the room. Anthony wasn't there.

Just as she noticed that, Savannah suddenly leaned closer and studied her face carefully.

Then she gasped dramatically.

"Wait a second... Lyla. You look a lot like me! No wonder I felt such a connection with you right away."

Her eyes widened in exaggerated surprise. She tilted her head, smiling playfully.

"So... What exactly is your relationship with Anthony?"

Liliana's throat tightened. She didn't know how to answer.

To be honest, she wanted to know the answer herself.

What was she to Anthony? A casual fling? A secret lover? Or just a substitute?

Right then, the door opened. Anthony walked in.

He was carrying an elegant gift box.

The moment Savannah saw him, she rushed toward him like a happy bird.

"Anthony! Where did you go?" she pouted playfully, clinging to his arm. "Why are you only getting here now? Look! Lyla's already here!"