Melanie prepared to leave, but received no calls from Frank. Suspecting something was wrong, she went directly to his hotel room. After a prolonged ringing, she got no answer and alerted a hotel attendant. "Can I help you, miss?"

"I'm looking for Mr. Moreau. He isn't answering, and I'm worried something might have happened to him," she said anxiously.

"Oh, Mr. Moreau left about half an hour ago," the attendant replied with a smile.

"He left?! That's impossible!" Melanie exclaimed, incredulous. "We were supposed to go together, and he hasn't called. How could he?"

Suddenly, a thought struck her, and her heart raced. Was it because I rejected Frank? No, that can't be. Didn't he say he wouldn't force it if I didn't want to? He couldn't have stood me up because I rejected him!

The organizing committee had invited Melanie, but attending with Frank was paramount. She hurriedly called him, but he didn't answer. Standing at the door, she finally accepted that he'd stood her up—a punishment for rejecting him.

Gritting her teeth, aware of the dwindling time, she called a cab to the venue.

"Don't tell me you're going to the event dressed like that," Jenny said disapprovingly, eyeing Lily's modest attire.

"Is there a problem?" Lily asked, looking down at her dress. While simple, it was on trend, wasn't it?

"Yes, a big problem!" Jenny exclaimed. "We're representing the company. You look good, but your outfit is embarrassing."

"What should I do? Should I change?" Lily asked. She hadn't packed much, bringing only light clothing for the one-day event.

"Those clothes won't do! Wear mine," Jenny said, retrieving a dress from her suitcase.

"Y-Yours?"

"Why not? We're probably a similar size. They're not new, but I haven't worn them much. That's okay, right?" Jenny produced a black off-the-shoulder gown.

The dress was long, but Lily's height carried it well. The contrast against her fair skin was striking. She looked dazzling. "This is this appropriate?"

Since Lily and Nathaniel began dating, she hadn't attended such events, nor dressed this formally. She'd preferred simplicity and stability, seeking uncomplicated happiness—a goal that had proven more complex than anticipated.

"What's inappropriate?" Jenny asked, delightedly twirling Lily. "This dress suits you perfectly. You can have it!"

"N-No, I shouldn't."