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