son

d, mingling with the muted clinking of silverware and the polite murmur of convers

flute of champagne. "To go through all that, and s

d about you, canceling everything and throwi

lie. How easily they fell for his manufactured concern. I just smiled

attention. He was introducing her to every influential figure, his voice low and charm

brought in with a flourish. My heart, already a bruis

covered in tiny, edible extreme sports equipment. This one was adorn

of confusion rippling through the table

new exactly what happened. This was Axel and

lling Alicia with him. He positioned her carefully,

tonight, we celebrate not one, but two special occasions! My beautiful wife Eme

h a triumphant glint. He had done it. He had officially hijacke

thday, my love," he whispered, pressing a perfunctory

said, my voice flat. My eyes fell on the small, elegantly wrapped packa

d, picking up the box,

gift? For me?" He reached for it, his eyes softening. He th

ve. "Axel, darling, the guests are waitin

ed the gift back in my

He would never see the final, devastating truth. The truth t

guided by Axel's. Everyone cheered. Everyone, it se

her eyes. Then, with a practiced stumble, she "accidentally" flung the pi

ive gasp.

th cream. Humiliation, hot and searing, washed over me. I felt the

nct was to retaliate, to lash out, to make her pay for this public moc

ut his voice lacked conviction. He even c

face. "Oh, Axel, I'm so sorry! It was just a joke! Emerson, you

I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not now. I

ay some cream from my cheek. "Emerson, don'

uldn't allow his false comfort. I wouldn't allow

eath. This was i

with an icy calm that surprised even me, "I b

"Another announcement? Wh

lling smile on my lips. "The one

heir depths. He hadn't expected me to kno

y, "I'd also like to formally announce that Alicia Shaffer wi

pped from my fingers. It hit the marble floor, shatteri