Ashton's Betrayal, Her Unyielding Vengeance

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ts churning beneath. Chandeliers glittered like frozen waterfalls, casting a golden glow on the city's elite. But to me,

he heirloom he had promised me, glittered at her throat, a dazzling beacon of her triumph. She caught my eye, her

ly... adequate." Her eyes raked over my simple black dress, a deliberate insult. "And still wearing tha

ece of old money elegance that always made me feel li

to Elodie, a blank mask on his face. He sa

arm. "Darling, shouldn't Iris be doing something use

ris," he said, his voice flat. "Ensure everything

smile stiff and practiced.

moved with practiced grace, a perfect, polished couple. The center of attention,

m into darkness. A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

s scattered, overturning tables, shattering g

threats, took over. My body moved without conscious thought. I dropped t

rough the pandemonium. "Elodie, where are you?!" His

public, most vulnerable moment to strike. The ballro

reinforced pillar, shielding her with his body. A figure emerged from the sha

ren

ft thud, rolling towards them, a deadl

med, my voice tear

e had mere seconds. He could pull Elodie awa

e her. By sacrif

otic room. A flash of desperate

rutal motion, he reached out, grabbed my arm, and yanked me fo

om the searing agony of his betrayal. He us

of the explosion slammed into my back, throwing me through the air.

ered by the blast, its fragments glittering like tears in the air. The delicate silver locket, the family crest Ashton had

Elodie from behind the pillar, his arms tight around her, his face grim

burned, my ears rang. Blood trickled from my head, painting the pristine fl

wallowed me whole, was a chilling realization: h