Chapter 7
Before the best man could pour my wine, I stopped him with a casual wave of my
hand.
Instead, I turned my gaze to Emily. Her face was still pale, her composure hanging by a thread.
“Ms. Hart,” I said with a polite but pointed smile, “wouldn’t it be more fitting if you poured this glass of wine for me? After all, I’m only an ex–girlfriend.”
Emily’s smile faltered, but she quickly masked her discomfort. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the wine bottle, carefully pouring the liquid into my glass.
Her nerves betrayed her; the bottle wobbled, nearly spilling.
“Careful,” I said, my tone deceptively sweet. “I’m not asking for much.”
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Chapter 7
She finished pouring, her lips curling into a strained smile that was as hollow as it was desperate. But I wasn’t done yet.
“Ms. Hart,” I continued, leaning in ever so slightly, “I’ve done you a great favor, haven’t I? Giving you such a wonderful boyfriend. Shouldn’t you toast me first?”
The color drained further from Emily‘ s face, but before she could respond, Ryan stepped in, his hand tightening protectively around hers.
“She’s pregnant,” he said sharply, his voice laced with tension. “She can‘ t drink.”
He made sure to emphasize the word pregnant as if it would somehow disarm
- me.
I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
“Pregnant women can‘ t drink?” I asked lightly, my eyes never leaving Emily‘ s.
“That‘ s unfortunate because this is one toast she absolutely has to make.”
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“You-
99
Ryan’s composure finally cracked. His brow furrowed and anger flashed in his eyes. His entire demeanor screamed barely restrained fury. But before he could lash out, Emily cut him off.
“Ryan,” she said, her voice shaking but resolute. “Miss Yates is right. I owe her
this toast.”
She forced a smile, though the pleading look in her eyes told a different story. She was terrified I’d spill the truth–about the hotel, about everything.
She lifted her glass with trembling hands
and downed the wine in one swift motion.
For a moment, her eyes met mine. They were filled with silent desperation, a wordless plea to let the past stay buried. But I wasn’t about to grant her that
mercy.
I poured more wine into her glass, my smile widening.
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“Ms. Hart,” I said, my tone light but firm, “one glass isn’t nearly enough. I know you can handle more than that.”
That was the final straw for Ryan. He
me slammed his hand onto the table, knocking
my wine glass over in the process.
hes The entire room went silent.
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“Claire,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous, “don‘ t push me.’
“If you‘ re here to cause trouble, I swear I’ll have you thrown out.”
The sudden outburst left the guests stunned. Whispers rippled through the
crowd.
“Who is she?” someone murmured. “Why‘ s the groom so angry?”
st sta “An ex–girlfriend, apparently,” another athawhispered. “Can you believe she came
here just to stir up drama? How petty can you get?”
ergi
“She’s just bitter. Probably can’t stand
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Chapter 7
to see him happy with someone else,” someone else chimed in, their tone dripping with disdain.
A group of Ryan‘ s employees, seated at a nearby table, finally recognized me and hurried over.
“What the hell are you doing here?” one of them snapped. “You broke up with Mr. Cooper ages ago!”
“Have some self–respect!” another added, their voice loud enough for the entire room to hear. “Didn’t you cheat on him before he dumped you? And now you’ve got the nerve to show up and cause trouble?”
“Exactly! You‘ re pathetic!”
Their accusations hung in the air, sharp and biting. But I didn’t flinch.
Instead, I stood there, letting their words roll off me like water off a duck‘ s back. Because I knew something they didn’t. The show was just getting started.
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