o conversations I didn't hear. My mind was a fortress, walled off and secure. I was no longer the girl who lived for Ethan' s a

w furrowed in a way that suggested confusion, and beneath that, a simmering anger. He was used to being the ce

ded to

ed something in her ear that made her blush and giggle. He was putting on a show, a deliberate performance for an

o give to his future fiancée-and clasped it around Ava's. It was a shocking, impulsive gesture, a pub

em, making a point to engage in a loud, cheerful conversation

, he was at my side, his voice a low, threat

looking uncomfortable with the h

ty," I said calmly,

d, grabbing my arm. His grip was tig

ce him, my eyes hard.

. He was so surprised by my tone that his fingers loosened

uel smirk playing on his lips. "It looks better on her,

elf. He was reminding me of every time he had reject

of affection, for a kind word, for anything. I remembered him laughing in my face as he brought another Sophia-lookalike into our b

. "Some things aren't meant for me. I've simply c

ted me to crumble. He had expected tears. My

oldened by the priceless necklace and Ethan' s attentio

t her throat. "Ethan is a wonderful man. You had your chance and yo

, was lecturing me? I looked down at h

"When a man gives you a gift that belongs to his future wife, it doesn't mean he

busy staring at me, his eyes burning with a new, obsessive fire. He was starting to realize that the

ne last, dism

the ballroom. I would let them have their little drama. I had a much bigg