e that last ugly scen
became my excuse for everything. If I didn't think, I
tions, decorators called me at odd hours about colors and flowers, the planners wanted c
me. No. It was only to remind me of what Carmela wa
the migraine drilling into my skull as I dragged myself into the venue. My legs felt like sandbags, my chest tig
amma. When all is said and done, I'l
umming softly to welcome the elites that began to fill the hall. And the
d of light in the hall. The gown pooled at her feet in a sweeping train, the kind only seen on red carpets. Her hair was slicked back, diamonds dripping from her ears, her chin tilted with that prac
taking," someone
have cost tens of thou
at this.look at what should have been a simple welco
ldn't let any guy look at her twice. He beat one to a
tarted. Carmela was showered with thin
," someone sighed.
pear into the shadows, clutching a flute of champagne so tightly I thought the glass migh
ility slipped ri
arp eyes darted across the hall until they landed on me. And the glint that flashed thr
, my body stiffened. My chest rose and fell in shallow breaths. I want
it wasn't a smile-it was a sneer. "The decorations are decent, I suppose. The guests seem entertained.
you.someone so beneath this world, are dressed so plainly? Your shoes, especially. Lower, dull. Not fit for such an occasion. So here's what
ding pulse, and suddenly every gaze in the hall was on us. On me. Heat rushed to my cheeks, blood boili
bend. My waist still aches and I'm healing slowly." My fingers tightened on the champagne flute until I thought it woul
after that w
s as though the world had just tilted off its axis, and someone- me, had dared to ruin her perfect balance. I watched her
within seconds her pretty face was flushed with rage. Her
she snarled, her voice slicin
nails bit into the champagne flute as I whispered, steady but trembling inside, "I sai
humiliation couldn't cut d
g open and Cal
sharp eyes scanned the room, narrowing the second he noticed the tension. I
es brimmed with tears. tears she summoned faster than I could blink. Before I could even
, her diamonds catching the light as her body trembled- "was for her to help me fix the strap of my shoes, so I wouldn't trip and embarrass you in front of all th
dropped, sinking somewhere
turned my blood cold. Rage. pure and murderous darkened his gaze as he
t be stressed in the slightest. What's so difficult about helping her with a strap? What?" His jaw flexed, fury lacing every syllable. "As far as you a
words shattered what l
urs began to sw
right does she have to r
nding there as if she
Carmela lower her
ared to Carmela. An
ks furious, imagine embarras
st, tearing at what little strength I clung to. My chest burned, m
's arms, her lips curling into a wicked, satisfied smirk.
the whispers. His gaze cut back to me.
ry muscle of mine screaming in shame, in defeat. My li
ted like bloo
waist seared in protest, sending
l strap. I tried to steady them, tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but
ched forward, pai
tore through the hall. My cry echoed against the high ceiling as agony spread like fire th
instinctively, but before he could reach me, Carmela collapsed into his arms
mean to.honestly, it was an accident. My heel slipped. If Elodie feels
my bleeding fingers. Pain twisted every nerve, coldness creeping in
face hardening as he stroked Carmela's hair. "Never mind
repair. Was this what breaking truly felt like? I wondered if I would ever be whole again after what he had done to m
d into th
lid down the cold tiles, clutching
n my palm. A mess
? Come over he
round my throat tighter than the collar had. What if he cut my wages? What if I lo
pine. The crowd parted, and there was Carmela on her feet, mascara
creamed. "My dead grandmother gave it to m
, trembling through my veins. My voice came
when you bent to tie my strap
iation and rage crashing together, but before I could
t have fallen. I'll have
you saying? That I'm lying? If you won't search her, then we are don
d caught her arm, pulling her back gently. His gaze sli
Miss E
ut of me as I stumbled back, but three guards closed in
dn't take anything! I'm not a thief! I'm not-" My cries tore
even watch. And Carmela.he
When they found nothing, they shoved me down. I collapsed on the floor, clutchi
tered, "We fo
e she hid it in her un
hand reached for my waist
shing across his features. But before his ord
und
able, holding the golden bracelet high.
eased me, stepping back. Carmela's eyes widened, then quickly so
I.I made a mistake. Elodie. she di
the ground, clutching my torn dress, my
rmela's as he began to lead her
humiliation won't end
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