tring quartet played softly in the corner, their melodies drowned out by the hum of a hundred

d to. She wore a simple black dress that the stylist had chosen, its elegant lines a stark contrast to the medical

stant, silent warning. "Remember what I said," he whispered, hi

the crowd, her eyes scanning the room unt

in his tuxedo, his dark hair perfectly styled, his smile easy and confident. Chelsi was draped on his arm like a deli

, tinkling sound that didn't quite reach her eyes. Every few seconds, she would

they hardened. There was no guilt there, no remorse f

eached for the glass of champagne that a passing waiter had placed on her table. She

ame or anger he had expected, that Holt actually blinke

murmured, leaning closer to

said, his voice dismissive, but

. "I feel just awful about what happened. Maybe I should go talk to he

softening. "You're too kind, Chelsi

t stand seeing her like that. All alone. Maybe I can make h

ross the ballroom floor, a vision of grace and compassion. The crowd parted for her, the

e stem of her champagne glass. She knew this game. She didn

ds clasped in front of her. She crouched down, bringin

arnest. "I'm so glad you're here. I was s

the strategically placed shimmer of tears in her eyes. "

now you blame me. But I swear, I never wanted you to get hurt. I just..." She traile

But as she leaned forward, her body seemed to lose its balance. Her f

air, aimed directly at Diandra's black dress. At the same time, her other foot swung out, positioned to catch the wheel of D

saint, attacked by the bitter, cripple

o use her chair. She had practiced every movement,

joystick, sending the wheelchair lurching backward clumsily. It wasn't a smooth movement, but a

esistance. The momentum of her fake fall carried her forward, unchecked

on the marble, spraying champagne all over Chelsi's pristine white gown. She skid

the ballroom. The music stopped. E

d in her hand. She looked down at Chelsi, who was sprawled on the floor like a broken

rying in the sudden silence. "Are

e crowd, falling to his knees beside Chelsi, gathering her in his arms

obbed, her voice thick with fake emotion.

ntense it seemed to distort his features. He saw her sitting t

helsi still clinging to his arm. "Are you so consumed by jealo

They had only seen Chelsi approach, and then Chelsi fall. In their eyes, the narrative

ice echoing off the gilded walls. "Apolog

his rage like a knife. She looked at him, then at Chel

is gala, forced to face the woman who had stolen her husband, forced to endure the

week crystallized into a single, sharp point. She was done.

lips and took a slow, deliberate sip

for," she said, her voice c