A dance with the enemy
952 Words
JULIETTE
I wish the ground would just open up and swallow me whole.
Jane and Evan are walking toward us, hand in hand, smiling like they don’t have a care in the world. My heart pounds, my throat tightens, and my fingers curl into fists at my sides. Not only did Jane steal my mate, but now she’s parading him in front of me, as if I need another reminder of what I lost.
I force a breath in. Then another.
Kaelan is still beside me, his hand resting lightly on mine. I don’t move, but I can feel the weight of his presence, a silent reminder that I am not alone in this moment. But it doesn’t make it easier.
“Juliette,” Jane says, her voice coated in false sweetness. “I never got to tell you congratulations on your wedding.”
“Thank you,” I manage, keeping my voice steady.
“You must be so happy.” Her smile sharpens, and I know she doesn’t believe it. She knows exactly what kind of marriage this is. “I mean, to think—married to Kaelan of all people. I never would have imagined it.”
I hold my polite smile, refusing to take the bait.
Evan clears his throat beside her, his expression unreadable. “It’s good to see you again, Juliette.”
I nod stiffly. “You as well.”
The air between us is thick with tension. I can feel Kaelan’s gaze flickering between us, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t need to. The damage is already done.
Soon, we all settle down for dinner.
I sit beside Kaelan, my hands folded tightly in my lap as the evening drags on. Across the table, Jane and Evan are all over each other, whispering, touching, stealing kisses like they can’t bear to be apart for even a second. It’s completely inappropriate for the setting and company, but no one says a word.
Not my father. Not Marianne. No one.
I grip my fork so tightly my knuckles turn white. The clinking of plates and soft murmurs of conversation feel distant, drowned out by the hammering in my chest.
Then the food is served, and Jane starts again.
“Oh, Juliette,” she sighs, spearing a piece of meat with her fork. “Evan was just telling me the other day how surprising it was to hear you were getting married. I mean, after everything that happened.” She laughs lightly. “It must have been so sudden.”
I don’t respond.
Kaelan, beside me, doesn’t react either, but I can feel the shift in the air.
Jane hums, as if waiting for me to say something, then shrugs. “Still, you look… content. That’s all that matters, right?”
I bite my tongue so hard I taste blood.
The rest of dinner is a blur of whispered remarks and knowing glances, each word like a needle piercing through my skin. By the time dessert is finished, I am burning with humiliation, my body stiff, my face flushed with quiet anger.
And then, the music starts.
Couples begin making their way to the dance floor, the soft melody filling the space around us. I stay rooted in my seat, my hands curled into my lap, my nails pressing into my palms. I don’t want to look up, but my gaze betrays me, flickering toward the floor.
That’s when I see him.
Evan.
He leads Jane onto the floor, his hand on the small of her back, his lips close to her ear as he whispers something that makes her laugh. The sight is like a dagger straight to my heart.
I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the tears away.
I will not cry.
I focus on the floor, staring so hard I almost convince myself I am somewhere else, somewhere far away from this nightmare of a night.
Then, a hand appears in front of me.
I blink, startled, and look up.
Kaelan.
His smile is still in place, easy and calm, as if he hasn’t just shocked me completely. I don’t understand.
“How?” The question is on my lips, but I never voice it.
I hesitate for only a second before he pulls me forward. Instead of leading me to my feet, he pulls me down—onto his lap.
Gasps ripple through the room.
I freeze, my body stiff against him, my hands gripping his shoulders on instinct. My breath catches in my throat as his arms snake around my waist, holding me firmly in place.
A ripple of laughter spreads through the crowd, but I barely hear it. My heart is beating too loudly, my head spinning too fast.
I glance at Evan.
His jaw tightens, his grip on Jane stiffening. His eyes darken, and for a brief moment, I see something flicker in them—something I can’t quite place.
Jane, however, looks unbothered. Amused, even.
“Look at me.”
Kaelan’s low voice pulls my attention back to him.
His gaze is locked on mine, steady, unyielding. The noise around us fades into a dull hum as I stare into his eyes. I don’t know what I expect to find there—mockery, amusement, indifference. But it’s none of those things.
And for a second, just a second, I forget.
I forget that he hates me.
I forget that this marriage is nothing but a cage, a lifetime of unhappiness waiting for me.
All I see is him.
Then he leans in.
I freeze as his lips press against mine.
For a heartbeat, I don’t move. I don’t think.
But to my shock, I realize I’m kissing him right back.
- Writer
