5
Alexa sat alone on the living room couch, boredom creeping in as the quiet house offered little distraction. School was out for summer vacation, and she hadn't been going out much. Her Aunt Tilly was napping, and her older sister, Summers, had been locked away in her room since yesterday.
The only bright spot was the large tub of ice cream next to her and the princess dress-up game she was playing on her iPad. A grin stretched across her face as she passed each level, her focus entirely on the screen.
Suddenly, a knock echoed from the door. She jumped, a small gasp escaping her as she thought it might be her father. Quickly, she turned off the iPad and shoved the ice cream back into the cabinet.
The knock came again, louder this time, and she hurried to the door, standing on her tiptoes but unable to reach the peephole. Hesitating for a moment, she called out, "Who is it?"
"It's your sister's favorite person. Open up," the voice replied.
Alexa furrowed her brows. She knew Summers didn't have a favorite boy in her life. Suspicious, she responded, "But... you're a boy."
She heard the person chuckle before saying, "Alexa, open the door right now."
Startled by the command, she hesitated but eventually unlocked the door and pulled it open. Standing there was Kelvin, a smug grin on his face.
"You!" she growled, narrowing her eyes. Kelvin's chuckle only made her more irritated.
"Where's your sister?" he asked, his gaze sweeping the room.
Ignoring him, Alexa walked back to the cabinet to retrieve her ice cream, settling back on the couch as she dug into it with a spoon.
"Where is she?" he asked again, his voice sharper this time.
Without looking at him, Alexa stuffed another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth and mumbled, "Summers has been in her room for two days, and I think it's because of you! She doesn't want to see anyone—not me, not Aunt Tilly. Please leave."
Kelvin scoffed at her words, clearly unimpressed. "Because of me?" He paused, scanning the stairs. "Is she upstairs?"
Alexa finally looked at him, shaking her head. "She told me she doesn't want to see anyone."
His eyes darkened, and his voice dropped to a chilling tone. "She wants to see me. Take me to her room."
Feeling a shiver run down her spine, Alexa reluctantly shrugged and led him upstairs, his presence looming behind her.
They stopped in front of Summers' door, and Alexa hesitated. "Should I tell her you're here? She might be sleeping," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Get out," Kelvin ordered coldly.
With one last glance at the closed door, Alexa bolted downstairs, her small footsteps echoing through the silent house.
Kelvin stood there, staring at the door in front of him with a twisted smirk. Without bothering to knock, he grabbed the doorknob and slowly pushed it open.
He saw the way her body curled up under the bed sheet, her beautiful figure that always caught his attention. Slowly, he approached her, his fingers brushing through her smooth, wavy chestnut hair, curling it around his fingers.
His tough was light, yet possessive, his gaze lingering on her. As his eyes traveled down to her lips, the desire in him deepened, a dark hunger flickering in his gaze. His breath hitched slightly, his mind clouded with lust as he stood there, mesmerized by the sight of her peaceful, unsuspecting form.
Summers felt her hair being played with, the soft tugging pulling her from her light sleep. She shifted under the covers, her mind groggily blaming the wind from the window she thought she had closed earlier.
With a slight frown, she opened her eyes, expecting to see the fluttering curtains—or perhaps nothing at all.
Instead, her breath caught in her throat.
Kelvin was standing over her, his fingers tangled in her chestnut hair, a dark gleam in his eyes. She froze, her heart pounding as she took in the way he looked at her—hungry, possessive.
"Kelvin..." she whispered, fear creeping into her voice. "What are you doing here?"
He didn't answer immediately, his thumb brushing lightly across her lips, sending a cold shiver through her.
"You didn't want to see me," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous.
"But I know you better than that."
Summers tried to pull back, but the sheets tangled around her legs, trapping her in place. "I told you, I don't want to—"
"You don't know what you want," he interrupted, leaning in closer, his breath hot against her cheek. "But I do."
She clenched her fists under the blanket, panic rising in her chest as she met his intense gaze. This wasn't the Kelvin she had grown up knowing—this was someone darker, someone who thought he could take whatever he wanted.
Summers knew she had to act fast, but her body felt frozen, every instinct screaming at her to run, to get away from him.
"I know what I want you pervert! And what I want is for you to get out of my life, dislodge this fuck-up of a wedding, and let me be free!" she finally said, pushing him away as she got up.
Kelvin plastered a frown on his face as he grabbed her hand and pulled. "Where do you think you're going, wife?"
"What did you just call me?" she asked, her face contorted in disgust at the 'nickname.'
"We're not even married, and will not marry you, anyhow fate decides it. I will never make it to your wedding night!" she spat, yanking her hand away from him.
"You are not going anywhere, and whatever I call you, take it! You're mine, and you will marry me!" he yelled.
"I fucking hate you. I don't know what you're trying to prove, but this possessive attitude of yours is stupid. Kelvin, leave me alone!" Summers yelled back. She didn't want to hear anything from him; she wanted everyone to stay away from her.
Kelvin went ahead of her to the door and bolted it. "You're not going anywhere. You're so disrespectful, and I'm going to teach you some manners!" he gritted his teeth.
He pointed at her bed. "Sit!"
"No!"
"Oh, Summers, don't make me lose my patience," he warned.
"I don't care," she stood her ground.
"You—"
"What do you want? Why are you here?" Summers asked in a softer voice, trying to sort things out with him. Yet her voice still held annoyance.
"I came to see my wife," he smirked.
"Cut that shit!" Summers rolled her eyes and continued, "You don't just like me; you just want to use me. It's not that you want to marry me, you just want me to be among those bitches in your house."
"Bullshit!" he responded. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm saying, Kelvin. The night you took me out, I saw those messages from a girl in your house," she paused, looking at him to see if her words had any impact.
"You know I'm not usually the type to use curse words or anything like that. You and my father are stressing me mentally," Summers explained softly. She needed to work this out rather than shouting.
Kelvin, who had been quiet for a while, let out a chuckle. The words did sink in, but he had his own plan. He finally looked at her intensely and said, "We have to leave!"
"What?" Summers asked, both surprised and shocked.
"You heard me," he said, walking towards her.
"Wh-where... Where are we going?" she asked, shocked that he didn't care about her words.
"My place," he said simply.
"Why? No. I'm not going there. I'm staying here," Summers protested as he held her hand.
"No time for your nagging. I got invited to a gala by a very important and rich man, so I need to be there—tonight," he explained, pulling her up.
"Then why should I go with you... and to your place?"
"Because you're going to get ready there, and you're coming with me!"
Summers wasn't sure. "What time?" she asked.
"By 8... Eight something."
"Please, I have a meeting with my friends, and it's for something important—"
"So I'm not important?" he cut her off.
Summers frowned. She didn't want to go, and besides, just rich people would be there; she didn't fit into that world. And staying at his place was a nightmare!
'What if he tries to...' she thought. 'No, he wouldn't. I'm not going,' she thought further.
"Okay... I will go with you to the gala, but I won't go to your house. I'll dress here, please. I'll do whatever you say," she pleaded.
After a few intense seconds of looking at her, he said, "Alright. 8 p.m." and walked out.
Summers felt relieved, letting out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
Her legs wobbled as she sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts racing. She didn't want to go with him, but she had no choice. The thought of being stuck at his place for hours was unbearable.
At least she'd convinced him to let her stay here until it was time for the gala.
Why did he insist on taking her? Why was he so adamant about her being there tonight?
She stared at the door for a moment, her mind still processing everything. The knot in her stomach tightened at the thought of the night ahead. The gala was going to be full of rich, powerful people — a world she didn't fit into, a world she wasn't prepared for.
Summers sighed, glancing at the clock. It was almost 5 p.m. She had about three hours to get ready and make up some excuse to tell her friends about canceling their meeting. It pained her to disappoint them, but she couldn't risk Kelvin causing more trouble.
Picking up her phone, she dialed Marley's number. She didn't want to lie, but right now, it seemed like the only option.
"Hey, bestie," Marley's voice chimed through the phone.
"Hey, Marley," Summers began, forcing a smile into her voice. "About tonight... I'm so sorry, but something urgent came up, and I won't be able to make it."
"What? Summers, we've been planned this already! Is it because of that wedding mess again?"
Summers sighed. "Something like that, yeah. But it's gala problem. I'll explain later, I promise. I just can't make it tonight."
"Are you okay?" Marley's tone shifted, concern seeping through.
"I'll be fine," Summers said, trying to sound convincing. "I just need to take care of something."
"Alright... but if you need anything, call me, okay?"
"Thanks, Marley. I will."
Summers ended the call and stared at her reflection in the mirror. The weight of the evening pressed down on her. She knew she had to be strong, at least for tonight.
Her mind drifted back to Kelvin's words. Why did he need her at this gala so badly? What was his angle? She didn't trust him, and the way he'd acted earlier only solidified her distrust. But one thing was certain — whatever game he was playing, she had to be prepared.
Standing up, Summers squared her shoulders. She might be walking into a room full of people she didn't know, with a man she didn't trust, but she wasn't going to let them see her sweat.
She could handle this.
For now.
~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°
"Wait, I still don't get it—you're going to a gala, surrounded by rich people?" Marley asked through the phone.
"Yeah, and…" Summers sighed, thinking of the environment, the people, and Kelvin. "And it's almost time. Kelvin will be here any minute, and I have no freaking idea what to wear!" She raked her hands through her hair in frustration.
"I'm so sorry, Summers. I can't imagine being in your shoes, but I feel your pain. Like that time I was living with my useless foster mom. It was hell," Marley explained sadly, and Summers smiled faintly.
"You're gonna get out of this, Summers, I promise. I'll make sure of it," Marley assured her, making her feel a little better.
"Tha—" A knock interrupted her mid-sentence. She gazed at the door for a few seconds.
"Summers? Are you still there?" Marley asked after a moment of silence.
"Uh... Marley, I have to go," Summers said, her gaze still fixed on the door.
"Got it! But I'll stay in touch," Marley said. The knock sounded louder now.
"Okay, okay," Summers responded quickly and hung up.
Heading toward the door, she asked, annoyance clear in her voice, "Who is it?"
"It's Mrs. Jessica, Miss Summers," she heard an unfamiliar voice reply.
Curious, she opened the door and was met with a pair of bright green eyes and a wide smile that made the edges of the woman's eyes crinkle. Behind her stood six more girls.
"Who are you?" Summers asked, looking at all of them.
"We were sent by Mr. Brooks to help you get ready for the gala," Mrs. Jessica replied, her smile never fading.
'Fuck you, Kelvin,' Summers thought to herself.
"Well… well, c-come in," she stammered, stepping aside as Mrs. Jessica and the girls entered, carrying various pieces of equipment. As Summers was about to close the door, several men arrived, carrying a variety of glamorous dresses hung on racks. Each one had matching shoes and accessories. There were also trays filled with jewelry.
Summers' eyes widened in disbelief at the lavish display. It was ridiculous—the whole setup. After staring at the spectacle for a few moments, she rolled her eyes.
'Is Kelvin trying to impress me?' she wondered.
The men exited the room after setting everything up. Her room now looked like a high-end boutique, filled with shining dresses and rows of shoes. Everything felt foreign—the mirrors, the endless makeup supplies. It was overwhelming. Summers didn't even like makeup; it made her feel like a raccoon.
"Ma'am, everything is ready. Would you like to take a shower first, or begin getting ready now?" Mrs. Jessica asked politely.
"I'll shower first," Summers replied, locking the door behind her as she headed for the bathroom.
'Motherfucker,' she thought again, referring to Kelvin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Summers finished her bath, she sat on a chair while Mrs. Jessica and the girls worked on her makeup and hair.
"Please, not too much makeup," Summers said softly, and they nodded in agreement.
A little while later, they were done. Her hair was styled neatly, framing her face with soft curls. Now, it was time to choose a dress. Mrs. Jess offered to help, but Summers shook her head. "I'll do it myself."
Rummaging through the racks, she found a simple blue dress. It was elegant yet modest, with a soft flow that fell just below her knees. The dress had no slit, wasn't too tight, and covered her shoulders comfortably. It was perfect for the night ahead.
"Wow, it looks amazing," said Tilly, who had heard all about the 'big' night. Summers smiled faintly.
"Thanks," she replied.
"Mr. Brooks is waiting in the living room," one of the girls informed her. A knot tightened in Summers' stomach. She quickly slipped on her shoes and jewelry before heading downstairs, the girls close by her side.
When she reached the bottom, she saw Kelvin standing there in a sharp blue suit, perfectly tailored to his tall frame. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes quickly scanned her dress, and then he frowned.
"That's what you chose?" he said, his voice cold. "It's too plain, too covered up. Go back up and change into something... better."
The air in the room shifted as the girls gasped, and Summers' face flushed with embarrassment. She felt her throat tighten as his words sank in. Humiliated, she lowered her eyes and slowly turned around, her heart sinking as she headed back up the stairs, fighting back the sting of tears.
When Summers reached her room, she sank into the chair, her mind clouded with disappointment. Aunt Tilly hurried over, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hey, that dress was amazing," she said with a warm smile.
"This time, Mrs. Jessica and I will pick something for you, okay?" Tilly's reassuring smile made Summers nod, though she could still feel the tears building behind her eyes.
She had lost the excitement about going to the gala with Kelvin. What should have been a special evening now felt like a burden. As she fought to keep her emotions in check, the joy she once had faded, replaced by a hollow ache.
After a few moments, they brought her a new dress—a shimmering black gown. It was off-shoulder, hugging her figure just enough, with a soft, flowing skirt that moved gracefully.
The material sparkled under the light, adding an elegant touch without being too revealing. They handed her matching heels and jewelry, and Summers hurried back downstairs.
But Kelvin's expression didn't change. He looked her over again, his face twisting with disgust.
"Still not good enough," he said sharply, making the room fall silent. Summers felt the sting of humiliation once more.
"If you can't pick a dress, I'll do it for you," he added coldly. Grabbing her hand, he stomped upstairs, dragging her along without a word.
Once in her room, he turned to Mrs. Jessica, pointing at a gold dress hanging in the corner.
"That one," he ordered, before turning to Summers, who was trembling with anger, sadness, and embarrassment. His voice was flat.
"Meet me in a second." Without waiting for her response, he walked out, leaving her standing there, feeling crushed.
Summers stood frozen in place as Kelvin stormed out of the room. His words echoed in her mind, cutting deep. It wasn't just the humiliation—it was the way he dismissed her, as if her choices, her feelings, didn't matter at all.
Her chest tightened, and the weight of the night pressed down on her. The excitement of going to the gala, once something she looked forward to, had turned into something dreadful.
She felt small, invisible, like she was merely there to be judged and criticized.
Aunt Tilly and Mrs. Jessica quickly dressed her in the gold gown Kelvin had pointed to. Summers felt the tightness against her skin. The dress clung to her in a way that made her uncomfortable, too revealing, too much. But she said nothing.
The dress was tight, hugging every curve of her body and showing off her perfect figure in a way that felt too bold for her. The shiny sequins sparkled in the light, drawing more attention than she wanted. The high slit revealed her long leg with each step, making her feel exposed.
As she looked at herself in the mirror, she shifted uncomfortably, pulling at the fabric. This wasn't her style—it was too daring, too much. But tonight, she had no choice but to wear it.
The dress wrapped around her body with only one strap, leaving her other shoulder bare. The fabric dipped dangerously low, exposing her breasts in a way that made her feel even more vulnerable.
The asymmetry of the dress drew the eye to the exposed skin, the delicate curve of her collarbone, and the soft rise of her chest. It was designed to be seductive, and Summers couldn't help but feel exposed, her confidence wavering with each glance in the mirror.
The dress left her entire back exposed, with the fabric dipping low enough to show almost everything from her shoulders to the small of her back. The deep cut also revealed the two hollows on either side of her waist, making her feel even more exposed.
She didn't want to cry again. She swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to hold back her emotions. It felt like she was losing a part of herself, forced into an image she didn't recognize.
When they were done, she looked in the mirror briefly, but she could barely meet her own eyes. It wasn't her, not like this. She forced herself to stand tall, though her heart was heavy.
As she walked outside to meet Kelvin, Summers bit her lip, trying to suppress the frown tugging at her mouth. She couldn't let him see how much his words had affected her. Not again. But inside, she felt as if she was crumbling, her strength slipping away with each step closer to him.
The cool air on her bare skin made her uncomfortable, reminding her just how revealing the dress was. It felt like she was showing more than she wanted to, her usual sense of modesty gone.
Summers slipped into the car, her movements tense as she avoided looking at Kelvin.
The silence between them felt heavy, but she refused to break it, determined not to give him any more of her emotions. Staring out the window, she kept her eyes away from him, her hands resting tensely in her lap as the car started to move.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced down, relieved for the distraction. It was a text from Marley. Summers opened it and saw a video attached—a news segment about an event: "Maximus Supreme Gala." Marley's message followed, "Is this where you're going?" A surprise emoji punctuated the question.
Summers' heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected this. Maximus' gala? Of all the events, this was the one Kelvin was dragging her to. She bit the inside of her cheek, staring at the message, feeling the weight of the night growing heavier.
"I think so," Summers replied to Marley, her fingers moving quickly across the screen. "I'll let you know if it's it." She hit send and leaned back, trying to ease the tension that hung thick in the air.
Kelvin, sitting beside her, broke the silence with a snide remark. "You always have to make things difficult, don't you?"
Summers had reached her limit. She turned to him, her voice sharp. "You boss me around all the time, Kelvin. We're not even married, and you act like you own me!"
Kelvin's eyes narrowed as he turned to face her, his voice dark. "I do own you. You're mine." He let the words sink in before continuing. "Well, maybe if you didn't need so much direction, I wouldn't have to."
Summers clenched her fists, biting back her frustration. She turned away, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted, her attention shifting back to her phone. Just as she began typing, Marley's name flashed on the screen with an incoming call.
Before she could answer, Kelvin snatched the phone out of her hand.
"Give me back my phone!" she protested, reaching for it.
"No," Kelvin snapped, holding it out of her reach. He brought the phone to his ear and said coldly, "She doesn't want to talk to you right now, so fuck off." Without waiting for a response, he slid the phone into his pocket.
Summers' heart raced as she glared at him.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" she demanded, her voice shaking with anger.
Kelvin leaned back, his hand resting on the pocket where her phone now sat.
"You don't need distractions right now. Focus on the gala and stop acting like a child," he sneered.
Her fingers clenched, the anger simmering inside her, but she turned away, staring out the window, her emotions swirling as she fought to keep them in check.
Summers' whole body tensed, her nails digging into her palms so hard they nearly drew blood. Heat surged through her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Every inch of her screamed to lash out, to tear the phone from his pocket, but the weight of her helplessness pressed down harder. Her jaw clenched, teeth grinding, as a storm of fury bubbled beneath the surface.
Her vision blurred with the rage she forced down, her entire body trembling with the effort to keep her composure. If she spoke, she knew she might explode, so she stayed silent, fists tight in her lap.
Kelvin could feel the shift in the air, the quiet fury radiating off her like a blazing fire. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, noticing the way her fists clenched and her body stiffened with barely-contained rage.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He knew she was furious—he could practically taste her anger—but the fact that she said nothing, that she sat there, simmering in silence, only fueled his satisfaction.
He reveled in her inability to stand up to him, knowing she didn't dare cross that line. Her restraint amused him, and he leaned back casually, his smirk widening.
She was seething, but in his mind, it didn't matter. She wouldn't challenge him. Not really. Not in any way that counted. And that gave him all the control he needed.
Summers continued to stare out the window, watching as the familiar streets of her neighborhood faded into the distance. She had no idea where they were headed, but the cityscape had transformed. Sleek buildings and towering skyscrapers now lined the horizon, their glass facades glistening under the soft evening light.
What caught her attention most was an estate that seemed to light up the entire area. She gaped in awe, her eyes widening as she took it in. The estate stretched endlessly, a sprawling testament to wealth and grandeur.
The streets beside it were crowded with people stopping to admire the breathtaking view, many snapping photos as they passed.
Even after minutes of driving, the estate seemed to go on and on. Finally, she saw it—bold and proud, the sign read 'Maximus Weston Grand Estate'.
The words seemed to shimmer, as though they were carved in gold. Lavish gardens framed the perimeter, fountains spraying water into the air, and ornate gates stood tall, guarding the extravagant property behind them.
It was nothing short of breathtaking, a place that felt untouchable in its beauty and opulence.
Summers diverted her gaze back to her hands, her fingers resting lightly in her lap. A strange sadness tugged at her heart, knowing that she'd never had the chance to look up this Maximus Weston online, to see more about the man who owned such a magnificent estate.
She couldn't stop her mind from drifting back to that video she had seen. Yes, he had been rude, but she couldn't deny how strikingly handsome he was.
His deep, sparkling blue eyes had caught her attention, along with the chiseled jawline and sculpted physique that made him look like something out of a dream. His tailored blue suit had fit him perfectly, accentuating every inch of his well-built frame. It was a sight that lingered in her mind, no matter how much she tried to shake it.
Summers felt a knot form in her stomach, a growing urge to ask Kelvin which gala they were attending. But before she could speak, a bright reflection hit her face, pulling her attention upward. Her eyes widened as she took in the mesmerizing scene before her.
The car slowed to a stop in front of an extravagant venue, illuminated by shimmering lights that seemed to make the entire area glow.
Crowds of people filled the entrance—men and women dressed in the finest designer outfits, their elegance undeniable. Luxurious cars lined the street, each one more expensive than the last, their sleek frames reflecting the glow of the gala lights.
Everywhere she looked, she saw billionaires mingling, their presence commanding attention as they stepped out of their lavish rides, filling the place with an air of wealth and prestige. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
Kelvin stepped out of the car without a word, and Summers watched him walk around, knowing he would soon open the door for her.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of nerves twisting inside her. Then, the door flew open, and in an instant, she was bathed in light.
Blinding flashes from cameras erupted all around her, press and photographers aiming their lenses at her with relentless focus. Reporters' voices filled the air, calling out questions and comments, all competing to capture the moment.
The overwhelming attention made her legs wobble, the weight of a thousand eyes settling on her like a crushing wave. Her dress—tight and revealing—only added to her discomfort, making the moment feel like a living nightmare.
As she stepped out, the lights continued to flash, capturing every move, every breath. News reporters could be heard broadcasting live, their voices echoing across the scene.
"This is the most spectacular event of the year! The greatest gala ever held on Earth, organized by none other than the legendary Maximus Weston!" The grandeur of it all seemed to elevate the entire atmosphere, and yet, for Summers, it felt suffocating.
She wanted to hide, to shrink away from the attention, but there was nowhere to go. The night, and all its pressure, had begun.
As Summers stepped away from the noisy entrance filled with flashing cameras and reporters, it felt like she was entering another world. Inside, the gala was nothing short of spectacular.
Above her, she saw the grand sign reading 'Maximus Supreme Gala'. A small smile tugged at her lips—Marley had been right. Summers never imagined she'd be here. People often whispered about her background, but standing in this world, where everything seemed flawless and extravagant, she was amazed.
Maximus Weston, though she didn't know him personally, had a life where he controlled everything. Everything was at his fingertips.
The decorations sparkled under the soft lighting, the music was a gentle rhythm in the background, and laughter filled the air as people mingled, relaxed and carefree. Summers felt a sudden urge to act as though she belonged in this scene, even if her nerves told her otherwise.
As they moved further in, a man approached them, a woman by his side. His face lit up when he spotted Kelvin.
"Kelvin, my friend! It's been a while!" the man said, shaking his hand with enthusiasm. His eyes shifted to Summers, scanning her with an odd curiosity. "And who's this stunning lady?"
"This is Summers, my fiance" Kelvin replied with a curt nod, as his last word with a sinister smirk, making Summers rolled her eyes.
The man's gaze lingered on her a little too long, making her skin prickle with discomfort. "Nice to meet you, Summers," he said, his tone polite but his eyes still roaming over her in a way that made her feel uneasy. "You're quite the lucky one, Kelvin."
With that, he gave a tight smile, nodding to them both before leaving with the woman beside him.
Summers breathed a little easier as they reached their table, where elegant name cards were set in gold lettering. She turned to Kelvin as he let go of her arm.
"Can you give me my phone now?" she asked, her voice firm but quiet.
Kelvin didn't even glance at her. "No," he said dismissively, "You'll survive without it for a few hours. Maybe you'll even learn to behave." His words were sharp, cutting through the elegant atmosphere, making her blood boil.
Before she could protest, he disappeared into the crowd without another word, leaving her standing alone by the table, anger simmering beneath her skin.