LET'S SEE WHO HE CHOOSES
896 Words
Elaina moved toward Madeline, who was busy chatting with her friends.
Vanessa moved faster, a wine glass in her hand. “Hey Ellie,” she called out, blocking her path. “I have something for you.”
“Move.”
An evil smile played on Vanessa’s lips.
“Or what? You’ll run to Madeline? Oh wait…” She lifted the glass. “Let’s see who Damian will choose.”
Her wrist twisted. Red wine hit Elaina’s chest like a slap, spreading across the black gown.
Vanessa staggered back, eyes wide with perfect fake shock. “Oh my God! Ellie, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! I slipped!”
She reached forward, fingers hovering like she might wipe it off.
“I’m sorry, Ellie. I really didn’t mean to!”
Elaina didn’t flinch. She just watched Vanessa’s act. Her mouth curved into a smile.
“No wonder you won the Best Actress award, Miss Hale.”
Damian and his friends came over.
“Vanessa! What’s going on here?” His voice was sharp.
“I didn’t… Damian, it was an accident! I was trying to talk to her and I slipped! I’m sorry, Ellie, I swear I didn’t mean to!” Vanessa’s tears streamed down her cheeks.
Elaina didn’t answer. Her eyes were on Damian, watching the two of them. Annoyance and nausea rose in her throat.
The room went quiet.
Madeline walked forward with Gordon at her side. Every step was measured, every inch of her radiating authority.
She stopped in front of Vanessa and looked her up and down.
“Miss Hale,” Madeline said, voice calm but cutting.
“I don’t remember inviting you.”
Vanessa blinked. “Mrs. Black, I…”
Damian stepped forward to ease the situation. “I invited her, Grandma.”
The words dropped like a stone in still water.
Madeline didn’t look at him. She kept her eyes on Vanessa. “You invited her,” she repeated, voice flat. “Into my home. To insult my granddaughter-in-law.”
Damian’s jaw clenched. “She didn’t mean to… she already apologized.”
“Of course she didn’t, Grandma,” Elaina said with a small smile. “It’s your birthday. Let’s not ruin it over a small matter.” She looked at Damian. No emotion in her eyes.
Madeline’s gaze flicked to Elaina, then back to Damian. Her voice dropped lower.
“Damian. This isn't the first time. Tonight your guest has disrespected your wife.”
Vanessa grabbed Elaina’s hand, crying with a pitiful look. “I’m sorry, Ellie! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! Please don’t hate me!”
Gordon’s face hardened. He didn’t look at Vanessa. He looked at Damian.
“Your guest assaulted my granddaughter-in-law in my house, in front of everyone. Take her away from my sight before I call security to throw her out.”
Damian froze.
He looked at Vanessa’s pleading face, then at Elaina—standing there dripping wine, soaked and humiliated, but still composed.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. He didn’t know what to say.
“Grandma, Grandpa, I’m not feeling well. I’ll go home to rest.” Elaina pulled a small velvet box from her purse. “Happy birthday, Grandma.” She handed it to Madeline.
She turned to leave. Gordon stopped her.
“Let this i***t take you back home.”
Elaina smiled. “I’m okay, Grandpa. Let him escort Miss Hale.”
She gave Damian one last glance.
_Goodbye, Damian. This is the last day you’ll see me._
She turned and left the party.
---
Elaina slipped outside, the cold night air hitting her skin.
She pulled out her phone and dialed.
“Lyra. Did you get everything done?”
“Yes girl, everything’s done,” Lyra’s voice came through, bright and sharp.
“Your flight’s in two hours. I already prepared the divorce papers for you.”
Elaina exhaled. The tension in her shoulders dropped for the first time all the day.
“That’s good of you. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
She ended the call and looked back at the ballroom doors one last time.
She stepped into the car and drove to Lyra’s apartment.
Lyra opened the door and took one look at her soaked dress.
“I think you need to freshen up first. You look messy.”
Elaina nodded and headed to the bathroom.
When she came out, she sat down on the couch beside Lyra.
Lyra handed her a large envelope. “Here. Everything you need.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Lyra asked quietly. “I mean… keep your babies a secret from him?”
Elaina nodded without hesitation. She pulled out the divorce papers and signed.
“I’ve decided, Lyra,” she said. “My babies don’t need him. It’s time for me to give up on one-sided love. I’ll go back to my real life. In time, everything will be okay.I don't want my babies to be called mistake as our night.”
Lyra looked at her. “You still love him, don’t you?”
Elaina bit her lower lip. “Does it still matter?”
Lyra pulled her into a hug. “I’m still here. It’s his loss. He doesn’t know what he neglected.”
“Okay,” Lyra said, standing up. “Let’s go before you miss your flight.”
- Writer
