Lea’s face fell as soon as she heard that,
“Damon, is Emily still mad at me about last time? I should probably just go. I don’t want to be in the way.”
She turned to leave, but Damon grabbed her arm, shooting a frown in Emily’s direction. “She’s just trying to be nice, Emily. Don’t you love animals? Just take it.”
Emily saw the annoyance in his eyes. She clenched her hands, then forced herself to look at his assistant instead. “Aiden, I’m in heels. Could you hold the puppy for me?”
People around them started whispering, their glances sharp and judgmental. She was always the one they accused of being ungrateful, of acting above everyone else.
Damon seemed to think she was just trying to snub Lea again. His expression grew even colder as he led Lea into the main hall.
Within moments, the place emptied out, leaving Emily standing alone.
She poured herself a glass of water, sipping slowly, trying to calm the panic twisting in her chest.
She really did used to love dogs.
But five years ago, during á thunderstorm blackout, Damon had come down with a raging fever. She’d run out into the pouring rain to get help for him. The neighbor’s German Shepherd chased her down, tearing into her calf. She’d bitten back the pain, got the doctor, and only after she made sure Damon was safe did she let anyone treat her wound.
Since then, dogs terrified her. She never breathed a word to Damon–she didn’t want him to
worry.
Even now, through her dress, she could feel the old scar.
People at the party were experts at reading the room. After seeing how Damon treated her, they didn’t bother to hide their dislike.
When the celebration started, everyone surrounded Lea like it was her birthday, not Emily’s.
Finally, once Damon had cooled off, he called Emily over to blow out the candles.
She walked over quietly, about to make a wish, when Lea suddenly clapped her hands in delight. “Oh wow, what are the odds! Emily, you and Emil have the same birthday. Why not celebrate together?”
As soon as she said it, everyone around them started giggling behind their hands.
Lea’s eyes were full of challenge. Emily’s fingers dug into her palms.
She took a slow breath, her voice icy and flat. “Fine. Let the puppy blow out the candles. You all
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Chapter 6
can sing to him. I’ll stay out of it.”
She actually turned to leave. Damon’s jaw flexed. He stopped her, calling her name in a low warning. “Emily! This party is for you. If you walk out now, what does that look like?”
Emily didn’t answer. She just kept walking,
Damon’s patience snapped. He caught up, grabbed her wrist, and leaned in to whisper sharply, then steered her back to the cake.
“Don’t make a scene. Everyone here matters. If you storm out and the Raines family hears about it, they’ll never approve of us.”
Approve of us? Emily thought bitterly. What was there to approve? Wasn’t he already married to
Lea?
The room burst into a cheery “Happy Birthday”
Emily forced a smile, face stiff and empty, showing nothing of the happiness she was supposed to feel.
Out of nowhere, someone shoved the puppy into her arms. Goosebumps raced up her skin.
Halfway through the song, the puppy started squirming, then jumped out of her grasp, barreling straight into the champagne tower,
The whole thing crashed down toward her and Lea in a shower of glass and champagne,
Screams echoed as glasses shattered, everything moving in slow motion in Emily’s wide, stunned eyes.
She watched as Damon pulled Lea into his arms, shielding her, while Emily was left standing alone as glass and sticky wine rained down on her.
A sharp piece cut a long line across her pale shoulder, blood starting to trickle and soak her already wet white dress.
She crumpled to the floor, a quiet gasp escaping as cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Damon turned at the sound, about to come to her, but Lea shrieked beside him.
“Damon! Emil scratched me! What if I get rabies?”
Damon glanced at the tiny scratch on Lea’s ankle, then hesitated before nodding to his assistant. “Take Emily to the hospital and get her wound checked.”
And with that, he hurried out with Lea.
The rest of the guests started leaving too, tossing cruel comments over their shoulders.
“Emil, Emily–what a name for a dog! But honestly, just look at her. Isn’t she just a stray?”
“Don’t insult Emil! He’s adorable. Not like some desperate mutt trying to marry up.”
Every word hit Emily like a slap. She looked down at her ruined dress, her whole body shaking.
Chapter
Tears burned behind her eyes.
The birthday banner slipped from the wall and landed at her feet.
She bent down, picked it up, and looked around at the empty, messy room. Finally, the tears
she’d been holding back slipped free.
Just like that, her twenty–third birthday ended–in silence, and in complete ruin.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
