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We both stared as Eileen glided across the room in a sparkly silver-and-olive sequin gown. The train swished against the marble floor.
She wore satin gloves up to her elbows, her aura otherworldly and elegant.
A piercing pain dug through my heart. It felt like everything I’d promised myself wouldn’t happen. Like my heart lay bloody on the piste, a sword straight through it.
Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe.
Eileen’s voice boomed through the six microphones attached to the podium. “Oh, Mother.” She kissed Constance’s cheeks. They embraced each other’s elbows, their hairdos identical. “It’s such an honor to join your family. I promise I’ll make Zach very happy.”
Another woman—Zach’s aunt, I recognized—sashayed across the dance floor, resting a hand on Constance’s shoulder. Unlike her sister, Celeste didn’t seem elated.
Her eyes scanned the room. “Speaking of Zach, where’s the man of the hour?”
“Seconds from migrating to Denmark,” Oliver coughed into his fist, eliciting a warning glare from Constance.
I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience as Zach abandoned me, drifting deeper into the ballroom, taking his place beside the most important women in his life.
The four of them stoodshoulder-to-shoulder without touching.
Constance served as a buffer between the couple. Even through the agonizing ache that ripped through my veins, I took a little comfort in the fact that Zach wouldn’t have to touch Eileen.
I knew he didn’t want to.
Where is all this jealousy coming from?
“Ladies and gentlemen.” Constance planted her hands on Zach and Eileen’s shoulders.
Zach visibly flinched, his nostrils flaring as he bit back a scream.
I wanted to scream, too.
Constance’s face erupted in a grin, genuine happiness radiating off her. “I’m happy to introduce to you the future Mr. and Mrs. Sun.”
Claps erupted across the room, ringing between my ears. Camera flashes zinged in front of my eyes. I turned around and began speed-walking away.
“Eileen…” Constance’s voice boomed through each speaker peppering the walls, loud enough to be heard through the cheers. “Show everyone your engagement ring. Do a little tour.”
My legs carried me on auto-pilot, my mind reeling from what should have been obvious to me. Zach had warned me all along that he’d marry Eileen.
When I reached the stairway, I collapsed on the third step like a broken swan, my ballgown surrounding me.
I sobbed into my arms, realizing that, for the first time since Dad had died, I was actually full-on crying. I didn’t recognize myself in this fragility.
I’d always prided myself in my strength.
“Stupid…” I sniffed, my entire face a sea of snot and tears. “You’re so stupid.” I yanked the stupid heels from my stupid feet. “Thinking you could somehow fit in with these people.”
So much for rejecting the glitz and glamor of Maryland’s elite my entire life.
In one reckless night, they’d served me the reminder I’d tried to ignore—that I could be the side piece, but girls like Eileen Yang would forever be the endgame.
“Farrow.” Dallas’ voice erupted from behind me. I craned my neck, watching her charge toward me. “Wait up, please.”
I shot up, taking the steps two at a time.
I didn’t want to wait. I didn’t want her to see me so thoroughly humiliated, and I definitely didn’t want to listen to her little white lies, designed to make me feel better.
When I reached my room, I locked the door behind me, pressing my back to the wood. I closed my eyes, sucking in a deep breath.
