ra Wrig

alse promises. The ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton was a sea of black ties and sequined gowns.

court, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back. I was his prize, his perfect acce

dy, his eyes filled with a convincing facsimile of adoration. "My

hat I knew was unnerving him. I was a porcelain

his room. He was dressed in a suit that was a littl

some," I said,

, not looking u

h me." My voice trembled, but this time, the emotion was real. A final, desperate plea for the son

old and devoid of sympathy. He d

ff. "At least he' s fun. You' d proba

ing. He had rehearsed this. He

st. The boy I had raised was gone, replaced by this cold, callous strang

el smirk playing on his lips. "

alked out of the room, leaving me in

breath and stood up. The woman who walked out of tha

, I mingled, I accepted congratulations

sh of scarlet in the sea of muted tones. It was a dress that screamed for attention. Around her neck was a diamond necklace I

oned his post by the shrimp cocktail and rushe

a familiarity that made my stomach turn. "Doesn' t she

oper, froze. His face went pale. He shot Jacob a look of pure

voice strained. He subtly angled his body, trying to put

hoped you could make it,"

me with a look of triumphant malice.

name was a delibera

m, a gesture meant to be reassuring but felt like a manacle.

you again, Katia." I let my eyes drift down to the necklace. "That' s a b

er smile faltering. Anthony' s gr

usy, bewildered-looking couple I' d made sure were seate

uttered a hasty excuse about needing to find the

guests are comfortable," he stammered, making his own es

as happening. He was calming her down, reassuring h

oment. I needed him com

r behind the stage. I didn't need to get close. I just needed to

ow! You said she was an idiot! She looked r

was a coincidence. She doesn' t know anything. You

ou promised me, Anthony. You promised that after this award,

usly. "And we will. I promise. Just get through tonight. Smile, be happ

sperate, hungry kiss. A final, sor

erything

he ballroom, my heart a calm, steady drum. I took my seat at the head

was about