-at least on the surface. I made sure every wound was cleaned, every bruise
dy, not about the way sleep refused to come to me unless
ure came at me like a storm. The staff followed me around with endless questions, decorators called me at odd hours about colors and flowers, the planners wanted confirmation on things I didn't even rem
the migraine drilling into my skull as I dragged myself into the venue. My legs felt like sandbags, my chest tig
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
body, and I whimpered despite my best efforts to stay quiet. The tears I had fought all evenin
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