Chapter 46. Not in the Mood to Joke

"No, let me explain." Layla pleaded, her voice choked with tears: "Believe me... I had no idea she wouldn’t show up. I tried calling her, but she wouldn’t answer. I'll call her right now..."

Her hand trembled as she fumbled for her phone, but Patrick’s words stopped her cold.

"Stop, don't play this charade in front of me... You claim not to deceive me, then tell me where she is."

"Patrick." Layla halted her search for her phone, lifting her eyes to meet his: "I am your fiancée. Be honest with me, why do you want to see Flora so much?"

Patrick didn't hesitate to lay bare his heart: "To me, 'fiancée' is just a title. I appreciate you and am willing to care for you. But Flora is my life, she is my breath. Without her by my side, I might as well be a walking corpse."

From Layla’s eyes, transparent tears trickled down. Swallowing hard, she nodded.

"Alright then, I'll tell you the truth. If you want to find Flora, ask Matthew. He was her secretary befor