through the last bit of denial she's managed to hold on to, leaving only

away-like she's stuck underwater, sounds and sights all dull and muffled. Inside, the crowd cheers, laughing and clapping. That joy

spers-not tha

l doesn't pause. She jerks free, surprising even herself, not sure i

aps, voice sharp enou

, you

e alre

ing the cold handles before she can second-guess herself. She doesn't have a plan. She

rs swin

d hair. It feels unreal, almost like stepping onto another planet. Conversation stops. Laughter dies

ves fo

sigh shut

owhere le

ables, luxury everywhere-but now it feels warped, poisoned by the truth she can't hide from anymore.

away, a chain reaction ri

th

ctuall

me she doe

she's in-wet hair, rain-soaked dress, alone against this perfect

el keep

t stop.

g there, right in the middle

room is on her, and she wears the attention like diamonds, a necklace

eyes

re's no mistaking it now-

eryone to hear it. The guests part for her, eager for a showdown. She stops a f

voice shaking but clear. "T

s a denial, an argument-anything. Instead, the woman tilts her hea

oft, almost kind, b

, as if Ariel's claim is just a

nto her palms. She tries to hold everything

is time her voice is stronger

again. People lean

She smiles wider and glances over Ar

e is light, but the warning in it is razor

rgy in the room suddenly shifts. People nearby sta

en-he'

rol-impeccably dressed, calmly confident. He glances at Ariel, not a single

catches. For just a second, she wants to see a crack-a

d, polite nod. Like

something

is a plea she can't help, h

ts to sound angry, not lost. But the hurt s

in his face-not emotion so much as irritation, a

n't be here

cise. It's almost shock

shing the words steady out of her throat.

ly, she can't fin

i

n know if that'

his whole thing. He doesn't look a

mbarras

ssion behind the words. They land with mo

ld blurring at the ed

. "Jayson, she's wearing my necklace. You just-"

e crowd goes

or Ariel, but for the woman in red. Lifts her h

he last shred

" Jayson says. His eyes meet h

t be clear

d, still clinging to s

peration cutting through her dignity.

Jayson's eyes. Doubt? Regret? She'll ne

sn't a

t his side-lifts her ha

n he ki

ainfully in her chest