Chapter 2
expensive perfume,
chandelier’s glow felt suffocating. The room spun with laughter, clinking glasses, and expens own heartbeat–loud, erratic, drowning everything else
but all I could hear was my
I was standing in the middle of Dulcie’s grand return party, a celebration thrown in her honor after her ‘soul–searching trip to Europe. The woman who once swore she’d never abandon me had done just that only to return with more money, more influence, and a smugness that made my stomach tum
And as if the universe hadn’t mocked me enough, he was here too.
Reagan
His gaze was like a noose tightening around my throat. He hadn’t spoken to me much tonight, but when he did, it was a warning
“Don’t embarrass me tonight, Danica. Be a good girl.”
His fingers had gripped my wrist just hard enough to remind me–obedience wasn’t a choice.
I wanted
ed to tell my father everything. He stood across the room, drink in hand, shaking hands with men twice compt. If he knew what was happening to me, would he core?
ice his age and ten times as
No
I had no illusions left about my father’s love. But still, I thought about it. About walking up to him and whispering the truth.X
Tm pregnant, Dad, Reagan can’t know. I need help. He’s going to kill us both.
But I knew better. My father never helped unless it benefited him. And telling him meant risking my babies‘ lives. So I swallowed the words down like poison and smiled like I wasn’t suffocating.X
And then, like a snake slithering into my space, she appeared
“Oh my God, bestiel” Dulcie squealed, wrapping her arms around me in a hug that felt more like a stranglehold. “I missed you so much!”
Her perfume was overwhelming–sweet, intoxicaling, fake.X
She pulled back, eyes scanning me from head to toe before her lips curled. “Dani, darling, you look so… shabby.”
My grip tightened on my glass.
Dulcie gasped dramatically, touching my arm with faux concern. “Are you eating enough? You look so.. plain. No wonder Reagan-“She cut herself off with a laugh. “Oops, never mind!”
She knew exactly what she was doing.
I forced a smile. “No wonder Reagan what?
“Oh, don’t be sensitive,” she cooed, looping her arm through mine and lowering her voice. “I just mean… you should take better care of yourself. Look at me! She twirled, letting her designer dress hug every curve. “Men go crazy for a woman who knows how to keep herself sexy. You should try it sometime”
My nails dug into my palm.
She leaned in, whispering against my ear like we were sharing a secret. “You used to be so pretty, Dani. But now? You look so.. tired. Maybe if you put in a little effort, he wouldn’t get bored so easily.”
The words were like a dagger twisting in my ribs.
She was toying with me. Playing the role of the concerned best friend, all while reminding me–without saying it outright–that she had Reagan wrapped around her finger
my throat!!
I swallowed back the bile rising in my
I know what you are, Dulcien
And I won’t forget
An hour later, I found myself in the restroom, gripping the sink, trying to steady my breathl
I needed to leave. I needed nit I needed–X
The door creaked open.
I turned, expecting some socialite fixing her makeup. Instead, I was met with Dulcie’s reflection in the mirror
She smiled and locked the door behind her.
Something in my chest tightened.X_
“What do you want?”
Dulcia took her time walking over, setting her clutch on the counter. “I wanted a private moment with my best friend,” she purred. “Just us
said nothing
She sighed, tilting her head. “You look upset
Tm fine T
She reached into her clutch and pulled out a small velvet box, flipping it open with a flick of her fingers. Inside sat a massive diamond ring, gleaming under the fluorescent light l
My stomach dropped.
She slipped the ring onto her finger, admining it. “He has exquisite taste, don’t you think?”
I didn’t answer.
Her smile widened. “Oh, Danica you poor thing: she whispered, voice dripping with fake sympathy. “I almost feel bad. Almost
I stared at her. “Feel bad for what?”
Dulcie’s eyes gleamed with cruelty “Did you really think you were the only one?”
The world tilted. I
She stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “We’ve been together since a week after your wedding
The air was sucked from my lungs.
She smirked. “And before you ask–yes. That was real “G
My blood ran cold.
“What are you talking about?”
She leaned in, lips brushing against my ear as she whispered the words that shattered me completely.
“The grand staircase. Four years ago. You weren’t dreaming. Reagan and I are having a blast sex“)
My breath hitched.
I had forced myself to forget!
The night I thought was just a twisted hallucination–a fever dream, a nightmare–came rushing back with brutal clarity.
The sound of laughter. The scent of alcohol and perfume.
Reagan. Dulcie.
Their bodies tangled together on the grand staircase. His mouth on her skin. Her moans echoing through the halls. I stood there, frozen in time. Watching my best friend and my husband destroy me in real time. I was sick that time and I remember I collapsed on the floor and everything went dark.
so easy to fool. Always so obedient”
Dulcie sighed, running a finger down the diamond on her ring. “You were so ea
Something inside me cracked…
I lifted my head, meeting her gaze.
She expected tears. A breakdown. Begging, maybe. Instead, I smiled. Slow Cold. She faltered. Just a flicker. But I saw it
Good…
I stepped closer, forcing her to step back
“Well,” I murmured, voice calm, “enjoy it while it lasts.”
She frowned. “What?”
I brushed past her, unlocking the door.
She could keep her victory, For now!
But the game had only just begun.
