ake smiles, the self-congratulatory speeches, the clinking of champagne glasses.

a fooli

queen holding court. Emily was radiant in a glittering gown, laughing at something a portly old board

ing on the patterns

e was a crash

y of drinks cascading down the front of Emily' s expensive dress.

ng apologies, his fa

r. She drew back her hand and slapped him hard across the face. The sound was like a gunshot in the sudd

g a protective arm around Emily's shoulders and glaring at the terrified waiter. His prese

e years of forced silence, of s

my corner and w

t," I said, my voi

Emily' s eyes narrowed

You're probably jealous of my dress." She turned to Ethan, her lower lip trembling in

cold, hard, and full of a weary

nsisted, looking past Ethan to the

took a step forward and grabbed my upper arm. His grip was like a vise,

inch. I looked him straight in the

of me,

didn't want. The air crackled with a tension that had nothing to do with a spill