ittered like a fantasy spun f

marble floors. Waiters in black and white moved with trained precision, refilling glasses and offering trays of h

ast the entrance, breath mome

stals, her caramel-brown curls pinned with diamonds, and her elegant posture passed down from eti

, she was

fear-no.

ist included half the city's elite. Nathaniel had gone all out. The man she had loved silently for nearly a d

sal. He

ike a Vogue cover come to life-confident, sharp, regal in a vel

ispered, "He really ren

icker of doubt passed through her

ling into a nervous smile. "I knew it. I j

ained quiet

ther into the ball

slid right over her and landed on Bethany instead. There were smiles exchanged, nods

her hiding their co

t was nerves. Maybe people were just shocked to see her

legitimate one. The unpolished gem

t, she dar

he air

torm. First, there were whispers. Then the sound of foot

ead, brows furrowing

ollowed

rbed by an incoming force. Phones til

's h

that

e looks lik

rd she's been in Europe

entire bo

t n

n't be. It s

hat clung to her like liquid starlight. Her long black hair flowed down her back in glossy

le Go

nce made Sheryl's

till taste

just been cruel-she was calculated. Beautiful, popular, and venomous, she knew exactly

after locking Sheryl in a bathroom stall dur

lost friends, self-worth, a

into her birthday party like the

beside her. "What

ouldn't

e stage, that same confident smile on his face. He walked

her, took

kiss

o, no

rowd, his voice loud and rich as

elcome you tonight. Thank you for celebrating w

breath

it

t a celebration. It's an announceme

ightly, hand tighte

ing the woman of the hou

an

e blood drain

g Estelle forward as if present

le God

a second o

ause. Gas

th

urned to loo

room. Someone laughed. Another whispered, "Isn'

ntire worl

one hand already curled into a fist. "You've g

l wasn't

elle's hand like it had always belonged t

k

actly who

l, he ch

r h

ai

sparkle. The walls didn't shimm

suffo

but she refused to l

se same, vicious eyes that used to smirk

. Not apol

riump

say: I wi

moment, Sher

st lost the m

er dignity. Pu

thought were mean

that would feast on her

the glitter had f

e was

to show her breaking point-or