The Jilted Genius: Out Of Your League

EAUMON

happy

a wave of polite applause. I stood beside my fiancé, Julian Sterl

fectly dressed an

e. The New York socialites raising their glasses maintained a veneer of decorum,

avoidance of my gaze created an invisible chasm between us. This was not an e

ask of perfect joy. But his blue eyes, they didn't f

ister, Annab

rness in his gaze, a warmt

owed his gaze and exc

of judgment

s she deserve a Sterling?" "I heard the Beaumonts gave u

sip of ch

microphone. "Tonight, I want to thank the Beaumont f

nabel. "The person I love is Annabel Beaumo

oom e

ds of needles trying to pierce my composure, wai

stage, falling into Julian's arms. She looked back at me, her voice c

he rushed to embrace Annabel, patting her back.

aug

through the microphone pinned to my

alked slowly onto the stage, stopping before the "

a correction. You're not ending the engagement. I, Faye

g from my finger. Its brilliance

all me sister. My mother couldn't have

s face w

a glittering arc, landing with a soft clink in t

sil

my gown, and descended the sta

loor, a steady rhythm against the fac

g into my back. I could hear my mother's sharp intake of bre

. I walked straigh

for me, and I shut all the

er, stood like a silent, unmovable statue. He as

expensive, ironic gown. My pho

d message from a sender

age' is ready. Ready for de

ming silent words.

'm planning

r open. A plain black sedan,

Astoria recede in the window. My past, my shame,

weight. He started the car, merging smoothly

ctures bloomed in my mind, not the farce

encrypted message. "Captain Gran

wait five more minutes.

r's mini-fridge. I shook my head, my eyes catc

old Drake. "I'll

gaze just swept the s

instant hot chocolate they had. The warmth of th

the overly sweet taste a temporary

again. "Home, ma'am?" h

g the neon lights blur p

e C. The destination was a private research institute in t