mma, it felt like stepping onto a battlefield draped in silk. She stood before the full-length mirror in her suite, staring at the woman looking back. Simon's stylist had chosen a gown

his arm. To the world, she was a woman deeply in love. To herself, she was a woman trying not to drown in the intensity of the man beside her. And then, she saw him. Tyler was standing near the bar, a drink in his hand and Sarah draped over his arm like a cheap accessory. He looked disheveled, his tuxedo slightly rumpled, his eyes bloodshot. When his gaze landed on Emma, he choked on his drink, coughing as he stared at her in disbelief. "Simon," Tyler choked out, stumbling toward them as they neared the center of the room. "What the hell is this? What is she doing here?" The circle of socialites around them widened, sensing blood in the water. Simon didn't even slow his pace. He stopped only when Tyler was directly in front of them, his expression one of bored indifference. "I believe you're referring to my wife, Tyler," Simon said, his voice as sharp as a razor. "Show some respect." "Wife?" Tyler's voice rose, attracting even more attention. "She was my girlfriend three days ago! You're insane. Emma, what are you doing? Is this some kind of stunt to get back at me?" Emma felt a surge of old pain, but then she looked at Tyler-really looked at him. He looked small. He looked like a boy throwing a tantrum in the shadow of a giant. The power he'd held over her heart for two years evaporated in the heat of her own newfound strength. "I realized I was settling for the shadow, Tyler," Emma said, her voice calm and melodic, carrying easily to the eavesdropping crowd. "I decided I'd rather have the sun." Beside her, she felt Simon's posture stiffen with pride. "You're gold-digging!" Sarah hissed, stepping forward, her eyes narrowed. "Everyone knows you were broke, Emma. You just crawled into the biggest bed you could find." Simon stepped forward then, a movement so sudden and predatory that Sarah actually flinched back. He didn't raise his voice, which made his words ten times more terrifying. "Careful, Sarah," Simon murm