Chapter 2
The chandelier’s glow felt suffocating. The room spun with laughter, clinking glasses, and expensive perfume, but all I could hear was my own heartbeat–loud, erratic, drowning everything else.”
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 tur
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 to tell my father everything. He stood across the room, drink in hand, shaking hands with men twice his age and ten times as comupt. If he knew what was happening to me, would he care?
No 3
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.
I’m 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 words
And then, like a snake slithering into my space, she appeared
“Oh my God, bestie!” 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, intoxicating, fake.
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 concem. “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?”
care of
“Oh, don’t be sensitive,” she cooed, looping her arm through mine and lowering her voice. “I just mean… you should take better 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.!!
I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat
I know what you are, Dulcie.!!
And I won’t forget
An hour later, I found myself in the restroom, gripping the sink, trying to steady my breath.
I needed to leave I needed air I needed-
The door creaked open!!
I turned, expecting some socialite fixing her makeup. Instead, I was met with Dulcio’s reflection in the mirror She smiled and locked the door behind her.
Something in my chest tightened
“What do you want?
It with my b
my best friend,” she purred “Just us
Dulcie took her time walking over, setting her clutch on the counter. “I wanted a private moment girts
I said nothing
She sighed, tilting her head “You look upset”
“Im fine “s
She liked “Lari
She reached into her clutch and pulled offe
ning gleaming under the fluorescent light
a small velvet box, flipping it open with a flick of her fingers. Inside sat a massive diamond
12:40 PM c
“Pretty, isn’t it?” she mused. “Custom–made. Reagan picked it out himself.
My stomach dropped.
She slipped the ring onto her finger, admiring 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.
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.”
My blood ran cold.
“What are you talking about?‘s
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.
Dulcie sighed, running a finger down the diamond on her ring.
“You w
were so easy to fool. Always so obedient:“}
Something inside me cracked.
I lifted my head, meeting her gaze B
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.
