Chapter 26
“Lydia, I know you’re short on cash, but that’s no excuse to mess with someone’s family,” Ciara said, her voice dripping with judgment.
Ciara’s sudden shift from anger to patronizing judgment caught Lydia by surprise. Confused, Lydia brushed past her and walked to the sink.
Ciara followed closely, feigning concern. “Being a kept woman isn’t easy. You’d be better off marrying a respectable man. A secret fling like this will only earn you whispers and criticism.”
Lydia’s eyes turned icy as a sneer curled her lips. “You seem quite experienced in this. If you know so much, why didn’t you leave Michael and marry a decent guy?”
From the way Ciara was acting, those who didn’t know better might think the two of them were the closest of friends.
Ciara’s face turned red with anger. The stares and whispers around them only made her more furious. “Michael and I are official now. I’m not like some people who climb the social ladder by marrying into money.”
Slap! The sharp crack echoed through the restroom entrance.
Ciara pressed her hand to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock. When she saw Michael coming out of the men’s room, she let out a muffled, broken sob.
Michael rushed over, pulling Ciara behind him protectively. “Lydia, what was that for?”
Lydia looked at him with a cold, disdainful expression. “Don’t you ever get tired of pulling this ‘knight in shining armor routine, Mr. Finnian?”
Ciara’s slim shoulders shook. Tears rolled down her swollen eyes like a string of pearls.
Lydia rolled her eyes. “Cry all you want. I don’t have time for this.”
She walked to the sink and meticulously washed the hand that had struck Ciara. Then she turned and hurried past them down the hallway.
In the next moment, Michael grabbed her wrist. His eyes locked on the diamond ring glinting on her pale finger, its shine searing into his vision.
Lydia turned around impatiently and pulled her hand free. Following his gaze, she saw the diamond ring on her middle finger–and froze for a second.
She’d slipped it on in the car earlier when Harper called–just a prop to fend off her meddling. But after that, she’d forgotten to take it off.
Through her tears, Ciara also spotted the diamond ring. Instantly, she recognized it as the one Hayden had purchased for Lydia earlier. Hayden was cold to everyone, yet he doted only on Lydia.
Jealousy ate away at Ciara, but guilt twisted in her chest too. ‘What if Michael finds out Lydia’s connected to the Leonards -the family he’s been dying to get close to? He might dump me and go after her instead.
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Chapter 26
“That’s just a tacky costume ring,” Michael said, his eyes softening as if he’d already forgiven Lydia for the slap. It doesn’t suit you. Take it off. I’ll buy you a better one someday.”
But Lydia remained icy. She’d seen that same look plastered all over Ciara’s posts–she wanted no part of a “tenderness that could be doled out to others so freely.
“Keep dreaming,” Lydia sneered, glancing at Ciara hiding behind Michael. “Your little pet was dying to have this ring when I bought it. Too bad your credit card couldn’t even cover it.”
Michael frowned and turned to Ciara. She looked up at him with teary, desperate eyes, her face a picture of pure
innocence.
“I’m already married,” Lydia continued, lifting her hand to show off her wedding band. “My husband buys me whatever! want. So don’t waste your concern on me, Mr. Finnian.”
Michael took her words as a threat. His face darkened. “Lydia, stop pushing me like this. I’ve told you–once I work things out with my family, I’ll give you the wedding of your dreams. We’ve been together for years. Can’t you just be patient?”
Lydia lowered her hand, her eyes blazing with contempt. Just as she was about to speak, a man’s voice interrupted from behind her. “Ms. Sullivan.”
Michael’s eyes widened in confusion when he saw who it was. “Zachary?”
Zachary tensed when he saw Michael and Ciara. After all, these two had nearly landed Lydia in the emergency room at tonight’s party.
He walked up quietly, standing next to Lydia, and gave Michael a curt nod. “Mr. Finnian.”
Then he leaned in close to Lydia, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “He’s still waiting for you inside.”
Lydia remembered Hayden, whom she’d left in the private room, and cleared her throat awkwardly. “Sorry, I got stuck here.”
Michael caught the easy vibe between them and suspicion flashed through his mind. He tried to pull Lydia closer, but she dodged back, leaving his hand hanging in midair.
Her dodge triggered his anger. “How do you know Mr. Hayden Leonard’s assistant?” he demanded, pointing at Zachary. “You’ve been hooking up with him these past few days and wouldn’t answer my calls?”
Furious, Lydia slapped him hard, leaving a bright red mark on his cheek. “Watch your mouth. Just because you’re trash
else is.” doesn’t mean everyone
The force of the blow turned Michael’s head sideways. He stood frozen, stunned for several long seconds.
Ciara knew the man with Lydia wasn’t Zachary, but Hayden. Panicking, she grabbed Michael’s arm and pleaded, “Let’s get out of here. Everyone’s staring.”
Her eyes were filled with hidden resentment as she tried to drive a wedge between him and Lydia. “Lydia’s always been hot–tempered, but today she totally embarrassed you and killed your shot at the Leonard Group deal. That’s way out of
line.”
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Chapter 26
Lydia paid them no mind, turning on her heel and walking away.
Michael felt a burning sting on his face, and his hands balled into fists. Watching Lydia walk away with Zachary, he felt a crushing weight press down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
Zachary pushed open the door to the private room and hurried straight to Hayden. Leaning down, he murmured everything that had transpired outside into Hayden’s ear.
Hayden looked stone–cold at first, but when he heard Lydia had slapped those two, a hint of a smile played at the corner of his mouth. He picked up a fork and casually served some food onto her plate.
“Good thing you’re not a pushover,” he said. “Next time someone pulls something like that, just hit back. I’ve got your
back.”
Lydia rolled her wrist. “Guess I’d better practice, then. Can’t afford to hold back when it counts.”
