bulbs bli

silver sequined backless gown catching every light. She followed the usher

at the VIP table in

Katy picked up a flute of champagne. She plastered a flawless, co

xt table. He raised his glass to her, a nasty smirk on his

denly cut out. The loud

tage lit up. A fast-paced, ag

dragged out the introduction, his voice booming t

champagne glass. Her manicured nails dug into th

center of the stage. Thick white s

in the center of the smoke. He wore a custom-tailor

hrough the ballroom. A-list actresses at the

All the air left her lungs. Arther looked untouchable

the microphone. "Goo

rough the massive speakers. A phy

scles fought against her control. She wanted to

rd. The metallic taste of blood flooded h

low sip. The freezing liquid hit her stomach

diagonally behind h

ed," Genevieve whispered lo

head slowly. Her

, Genevieve," Katy said, her voice dripping with ice.

t red. She snapped her mouth

hort monologue. His dark e

pt toward Ka

her head. She reached down and pretended to smo

inking in the shadows to her right. A paparazz

her spine straight. She locked her jaw and stared at the s

bowed his head slightly. The ro

Her movements were small, stiff,

off the stage, disappearing be

ath she didn't kno

ing against her damp skin. She set the f

d politely to the direc

alked toward the side exit of the ballroom. She

lking dangerously fast. She needed to es

ut behind her, cutting off the noise of the ballroom. Katy