The onlookers dispersed, wary of incurring her wrath.
As Elizabeth emerged in her new attire, the shop returned to its usual state of order.
Tanya gazed at her in awe, unable to contain her admiration. “You look absolutely stunning. You’re like a celestial being descended from heaven. Who wouldn’t be captivated by you? I’m even falling for you.”
She sang Elizabeth’s praises exaggeratedly, mixing flattery with sincerity.
Examining herself in the mirror, Elizabeth couldn’t deny that the dress fit her perfectly. Yet…
A shadow crossed her face as she muttered, partly to herself and partly to Tanya, “You say I’m stunning, but why does Matthew never seem to notice me?”
Her tone carried a touch of confusion and paranoia. Tanya felt a chill run down her spine, wondering if Elizabeth had caught onto her exaggerated flattery.
Tanya, feeling a twinge of fear, took a moment to compose herself before speaking up. “Men are all the same. They don’t appreciate beautiful women; they prefer those who appear more vulnerable. I’ve seen some old videos of Stella. Her affectation can trigger men’s instinct to protect her. I think you were outmatched by that. She’s adept at feigning weakness.”
She rushed through her explanation, stealing a glance at Elizabeth, hoping to satisfy her.
Elizabeth furrowed her brow, still pondering the matter. “What do you mean by ‘pretending to be weak’?”
Tanya was caught off guard by her question, and then hesitantly clarified, “Stella is simply better at portraying innocence than you. Men are drawn to women who seem pitiable and non-confrontational, much like her. That’s probably why Matthew is infatuated with her.”
After her explanation, Tanya inwardly sighed, hoping Elizabeth wouldn’t press further, as she was unsure how to elaborate.
Elizabeth remained silent, her mind consumed by thoughts.
After a moment of contemplation, Tanya tentatively suggested, “Why don’t you consider buying some clothes similar to Stella’s usual style?”
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Elizabeth whirled around, her expression darkening with anger. “Are you suggesting I imitate Stella? Why would I stoop to that?”
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She despised Stella with every fiber of her being, and the suggestion to imitate her felt like a profound insult.
Sensing Elizabeth’s changed demeanor, Tanya hastily clarified, “No, that’s not what I meant. I just think that Matthew is drawn to her style. If you want to win his affection, it might be worth considering.”
Observing Elizabeth’s lack of objection, Tanya gathered her courage to continue, “Moreover, I believe Matthew’s attraction to Stella is largely superficial, based on her appearance. You have the advantage of resembling her, but you’re even more beautiful. If you enhance your appearance, Matthew will surely be captivated by you. Unless, of course, he has terrible taste.”
Tanya’s flattering words managed to uplift Elizabeth’s spirits, gradually dispelling the unhappiness she had felt moments before.
With a smile, Tanya suggested, “Come on, let’s change out of this dress and explore more options.”
Following Tanya’s guidance, Elizabeth selected several additional outfits. The styles closely mirrored Stella’s typical attire. Upon trying them on, Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice the resemblance she bore to Stella.
In Seamarsh…
Suddenly, Flossie’s gut churned. Waking with pain, she dashed to the bathroom, retching.
Her morning sickness had worsened lately. Keeping the pregnancy secret until reaching a hundred days seemed impossible now.