The Neglected Wife's Triumph

tion Gala. The pinnacle

circle of hell f

icker. Cassie' s twelve-month

of the Vances, a Mr. Ashworth,

ampagne flute. "Still playing devoted stepson to

le, public. The nearby

re than a single glass of scotch at these

g waiter' s tray, grabbed a full cha

grabbed

e is my father's widow. She deserves respect

wn rule, for her. T

ing invisible; it was seeing w

r. Cassie, of cour

lly" spilled a tray of red wine down t

k, staining. My

my side, all fake sympat

for Cassie' s performance. "Are you alr

dle it gracefully, Ameli

sed on Cassie,

at a non-existent spot on her own gown, his arm,

th my side. I gasped, a searin

as already walking away wit

ide, fighting back tears

he'd physically hurt me, accidentally,

ter and sharp. He didn' t see

adies' lounge, dabbing at the

vaguely from my catering days, gave me

ys alone in

he party was thinning. I

ent was em

come home

d him on the phone in his st

er voice, even m

Ethan. Always making things

iescing. "I know, Cassie. I' ll

ng me, our supposed issues, with

amatic." My pain wa

nal neglect, his preference fo

rleston Historical Society w

. My role was terminated. "Compet

. Her reach was long

tter, my voice shakin

is! Cassie did thi

n sighed, running a h

e? Maybe it' s just

She's trying

"Just let it go. Don't make unnecessary trouble for the

piece of independence, dismissed

just about Cassie anymore. It w

made a formal complaint about undue influen

It felt good,

than' s driver ap

our presence at the m

brupt. The confro