Chapter 5
Alex let out a soft laugh, brushing his fingers lightly across Sophia’s cheek. “Don’t pout, my wild kitten,” he said, voice indulgent. “Let’s open the dance floor.
Sophia turned her face away, clearly irritated, but took his hand anyway a
and followed him onto the ballroom floor
Emily glanced up and watched them glide effortlessly across the center of the room. Their movements were smooth, practiced–like they belonged in the spotlight together.
But oddly, her heart didn’t ache. It felt still. Quiet.
She packed away her violin and turned to leave.
She’d barely taken a few steps when a group of women stepped into her path. Before she could speak, they dragged her into a shadowy corner near the back of the hall.
“Mrs. Harrington—oh, wait,” one of them sneered, lifting her left arm to reveal a stump where her hand used to be. “You’re not Mrs. Harrington anymore, are you? That title vanished the second Alex got bored.”
She stepped closer, venom in her voice. “I bumped into you once at a gala. Just a tiny accident. And your beloved husband had my fucking hand chopped off. For you”
Another ripped off her mask, her face twisted with rage. “You remember me, don’t you? I said you weren’t that pretty. That’s all. I didn’t even say your face. A week later, some stranger threw acid at me outside my apartment. That was Alex too, wasn’t it?”
“And my family’s company,” a third hissed, eyes burning. “I just called you a beggar. By morning, we were bankrupt.”
it to
The accusations came fast, each one slamming into Emily like a punch to the chest. She’d always known what Alex did to protect‘ her–but hearing it now, from their own mouths, was something else entirely.
And now, with his favor poor, they were out for blood.
“What do you want from me?” she demanded, trying to pull free.
One woman p grabbed her hair, yanked her head back, and slapped her hard across the face.
“I want you to feel what I fer–humiliated, ruined, broken. Let’s see how high and mighty you are without Alex to save you”
Another leaned in close, her voice a whisper of venom. “Sophia promised a reward. Whoever makes you scream gets her personal thanks–and Alex’s.” “Sophia?” Emily froze.
split second of hesitation was all it took. They showed her to the floor.
woman pinned her down and started slapping her over and over, while another pulled out a long needle, pinned her hand, and jammed it into her
The pain was white–hot–sharp enough to steal her breath,
Finily screamed, but a hand clamped over her mouth, muffling it.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook violently, agony pulsing through her fingers.
In a brief opening, when they shifted positions, she shoved one of them off and can.
Her legs gave out halfway across the room, and she crashed straight into a towering champagne display.
The tower shattered.
Crystals exploded across the hoor. Red wine spilled everywhere, mixing with the blood dripping from her hands and staining her dress.
She crumpled in the wreckage as the entire ballroom turned to stare.
Then Sophia’s voice rang out, sharp with mockery. Putting on a show again, En
Emily?”
Edly looked up, dazed, blood on her lips. “You planned this,” she said hoarsely. “You had them attack me.”
Sophia smiled and looped her arm through Alex’s. “Why would I waste my time hurting you? I’ve got my career,
Emily’s chest heaved, pain crashing through her. And in that moment, the cruel truth sank in–everything she had came from Alex Without him, she
, my man. What do you have?”
Chapter 5
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“You’re right,” she whispered, tears clinging to her lashes. “I have nothing.”
Suddenly, one of the women lunged and shoved her backward into the broken glass.
Emily cried out as shards sliced into her back and legs.
“Don’t waste your pity on her,” the woman shouted to the crowd.
“She tried to pay us to hurt Sophia. When we said no, she staged this whole thing to frame her.“!
More voices joined in, spinning the lie.
“She’s jealous.”
“She’s desperate.”
“She wants to break up Sophia and Alex.”
A wine glass flew and shattered beside her. Then another.
H
‘Get out, beggar!”
“She’s pathetic–still clinging to a man who doesn’t want her!!
The crowd had turned into a mob. Their voices roared with cruelty, their hands unafraid now that they knew Alex wouldn’t stop them.
Emily’s eyes scanned the sea of faces… and landed on him.
Alex stood still. Unbothered. Not a hint of concern. Just that cold, faint frown he wore when someone ruined the mood.
He wasn’t going to save her.
He’d promised Sophia was just a passing fling. But now, here he was watching as Sophia destroyed her, again and again, and doing nothing.
A part of her broke in that moment. Something final. Something beyond grief.
Her gaze hardened. She had no energy left to explain. No strength to fight.
She forced herself to her feet, her body trembling. Glass crunched beneath her heels, digging into her feet with every step.
But she didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. She was done.
Done with Alex. Done with Cresthaven. Done pretending she could survive in a world built on someone else’s mercy.
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