Chapter 2 She Wore His Coat
774 Words
Julian returned at seven the next morning, bringing the cold in with him.
"The whole thing was ridiculous."
He yanked off his tie and dropped onto the edge of the bed.
"The drunk only wanted to extend his stay. Molly didn't know how to use the security lock, so she hid in a supply closet and cried for two hours."
His contempt eased something tight inside my chest.
"Then why were you gone all night?"
"She was too frightened to be alone. I drove her home to Queens and waited for a locksmith to change her locks."
"She's 27, Julian."
"I know."
He rubbed a hand over his face.
"After the wedding, I'll make it clear that I'm done. Whatever disaster she creates after that will be her problem."
I said nothing.
That was when I noticed he was wearing only the white shirt he'd left in.
"Where's your cashmere coat?"
He paused.
"She wasn't wearing a coat over her uniform when her shift ended. She was freezing, so I let her take it."
"I gave you that coat last week."
"It's a coat, Vivian."
He said it as if I cared about the price.
I looked at him and let the subject drop.
That evening, our engagement party was held at Halstead's resort in Aspen.
Molly was not invited.
Our old classmates knew about her obsession. No one wanted her turning the night into a spectacle.
She came anyway.
Julian and I were greeting guests at the ballroom entrance when she stepped through the revolving doors.
She had clearly made an effort.
The white dress didn't fit properly. One strap kept sliding off her shoulder, and the winter wind had left her makeup patchy.
But what I noticed first was the black cashmere coat around her shoulders.
Julian's coat.
Our friends recognized her and began whispering.
"She still hasn't given up?"
"Julian is getting married next month. Does she honestly think she has a chance?"
"Has she looked at Vivian? They're not even in the same universe."
The comments were cruel.
In the past, I might have stopped them.
That night, I couldn't make myself speak.
Molly walked toward us and removed the coat.
"Thank you for last night."
Julian frowned. His voice remained cold.
"Why are you here?"
Molly's eyes filled.
"You said that once you're married, you'll never help me again. I only wanted to see you one last time before that happens."
Then she looked at me and forced a smile.
"Congratulations, Vivian.
"You're beautiful and smart. You can help him run his company. You have everything I never will.
"You really are perfect together."
It sounded less like a blessing than a goodbye.
The hard line between Julian's brows eased.
Something complicated moved through his eyes.
The change was tiny.
I saw it anyway.
"Since you're here, you might as well have a glass of champagne," I said.
I wanted to prove that she didn't bother me.
I wanted to prove that nothing Molly did could touch the wedding waiting for me next month.
Halfway through the party, one of Julian's college friends raised a glass.
"Seven years ago, we all assumed this coldhearted bastard would marry a quarterly report."
The ballroom erupted in laughter.
"Then Vivian Sterling came along."
Photographs from our seven years together filled the screen behind him.
The Paris opening. The London acquisition. Our first magazine cover. Julian was on one knee in the snow when he proposed.
"To the future Mr. and Mrs. Halstead. May you always love each other and always stand on the same side."
Everyone lifted a glass.
In the corner, Molly stared at Julian.
She drained her champagne in one swallow. Tears spilled down her cheeks at the same time.
"I hope you're happy."
Then she ran from the ballroom.
The warmth in the room vanished.
Julian stared after her without moving.
"Julian," I said.
He seemed to wake from a trance. He set down his glass.
"She's been drinking. I'll have a driver take her down the mountain."
"Let security handle it."
"She won't listen to security."
He released my hand and hurried after her.
My fiancé had just left our engagement party to chase another woman.
Every guest in the ballroom was watching me.
I made myself smile.
"Let's keep going."
Before the musicians could begin again, the hotel manager burst through the doors, his face drained of color.
"Ms. Sterling, there's a problem.
"Ms. Reed ran onto the frozen lake.
"The ice cracked yesterday. The rescue crew can't get close to her."
He swallowed.
"She says she won't come back unless Mr. Halstead agrees to one thing."
- Writer
