Silk Over Steel
1197 Words
Across town, Danielle hurled her phone against the sofa with such force it nearly split.
“He’s bringing her?” she hissed, pacing in rage. “He’s actually bringing that woman to my event?”
Her breathing came hard and fast, fury vibrating through her slender frame.
Her assistant, Mark, approached carefully, his expression calm but calculating. He laid a hand on her shoulder.
“Miss Greene,” he said softly, “You know Mr. Anderson. He may say one thing, but in the end, he has never failed to stand by you. That hasn’t changed. That won’t change no matter who he brings with him.” He paused, letting his words sink in before adding with a sly smile.
“Have you already forgotten what he did for you two years ago? The way he chose you then. He hasn’t changed.”
Danielle’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile of triumph.
But then, unbidden, the image of Tessa’s cold blue eyes surfaced in her mind, and the smile faded.
Danielle had known Raymond for more than fifteen years. He wasn’t just a friend, he had been her brother’s brother-in-arms, the man who had stood beside him through war and loss.
When her brother was killed, Raymond had sworn to look after her, insisting he owed her family everything.
Your brother saved my life, he had said, and he made it his mission to repay that debt through her.
But Danielle had never wanted protection. She wanted him.
For years she’d tried to turn Raymond’s sense of duty into something deeper, something that belonged to her alone.
And just when she was close to succeeding, Tessa had come crashing into his world.
A girl Danielle dismissed as nothing more than an intruder. A thief. A little demon who had taken what was supposed to be hers.
Raymond didn’t love Tessa, that much Danielle knew. It was her leverage, her lifeline. But it wasn’t enough. Not until Tessa was out of the picture for good.
She rolled her eyes at Mark’s soothing words, her voice dripping with venom.
“Fine. Let her come. Let her stand next to me tomorrow. I’ll make sure she regrets ever showing her face.”
Her tone was ice, thick with hatred, and Mark’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
—
Tessa’s stormed upstairs in fury. She glared at Raymond, who had followed her up and was staring blankly at her now. Arms shoved in his pocket.
“I never agreed to this,” she bit out, her brows drawn tight in rage.
Raymond only scoffed. “Haven’t you always complained about me keeping you in the shadows? About never taking you out? And now, when I finally decide to change that, you’re still not satisfied.” His tone was casual, but his eyes, those unreadable, cutting eyes shined mischievously.
Tessa let out a bitter laugh, the sound sharp and hollow.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to ruin the perfect picture of Mr. Anderson and Miss Greene. So no, I’m not going.”
Raymond’s mouth curved into a smirk. He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers as though sealing a deal.
“Sounds like someone is jealous of the rumors about Danielle and me. Tell me, Tessa, are you sure you still want that divorce?”
Her stomach twisted, her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
His words weren’t just insulting, they were a blade, cutting into the one wound he knew she couldn’t cover.
“Believe me,” she hissed, breathless with anger, “I want nothing more than to divorce your sorry ass.”
_
The car was already waiting by the time Tessa finished her meal. Raymond rose from his seat, adjusting his cufflinks, and watched her head toward the stairs.
“Tessa,” he called, his voice deep, commanding. “Come with me.”
She stopped mid-step, turning just enough to throw him a puzzled look. “For what?”
He almost rolled his eyes at her tone. “We’re going out.”
Tessa let out a cold laugh. “Don’t you have to pick Danielle up? Don’t worry, you don’t need to play the dutiful husband. I’ll meet you at the event.”
Her words struck, but Raymond’s expression only hardened. “You are not stepping into that event in those ridiculous clothes of yours.” His gaze raked over her, sharp and merciless. “I didn’t marry someone from the gutter.”
Tessa froze, speechless for a heartbeat. Then she let out a bitter scoff. “Oh, right. I forgot. I need something exquisite, branded, expensive so you can parade your status to people as shallow as yourself.”
Raymond didn’t so much as blink. “Jim,” he said coolly, “clear out her wardrobe. I’ll take her to get something appropriate for tonight.”
Tessa’s frown deepened. Jim, the butler, hesitated, caught between obedience and the warning in her eyes.
“Jim, don’t you dare touch my wardrobe,” Tessa snapped, her voice cutting like a whip. Then, softer, she added, “Thank you.”
She turned her glare back to Raymond. He held it, unflinching. Finally, with a bitter exhale, she gave in.
—
He drove her to one of the nearby luxury malls, striding through the marble halls like a man on his own estate. He didn’t bother asking her opinion, just led her straight to the couture outlet.
Inside, Tessa was presented with rows of gowns that shimmered under the soft lights.
Raymond excused himself to take a call, leaving her standing there among silks and sequins that felt like costumes for someone else’s life.
She trailed her fingers across the fabrics, sighing. Two years married, and this was the first time he’d ever brought her here.
Behind her, the sales associates whispered, not nearly as quietly as they thought.
“That’s Mrs. Anderson? No wonder he’s having an affair.”
“Honestly, she’s so… plain. Nothing special about her.”
“She can’t hold a candle to Miss Danielle. Now that’s beauty.”
“Well, maybe we shouldn’t underestimate her. If she managed to seduce Mr. Anderson looking like that…”
They all laughed.
Tessa’s jaw tightened. She cleared her throat and held up a gown. “Excuse me, do you have this in my size?”
The girl handed her a different size, barely disguising her disinterest.
Tessa picked another dress from the rack, but the girl quickly stepped in. “Sorry, ma’am. That piece is reserved for a very important client.”
Tessa frowned. “Surely you have more?”
The girl’s reply was sharp, dismissive. “It’s a special order. You can try the others.” She whisked the gown from Tessa’s hands and carried it across the hall, her smile suddenly radiant.
“Miss Greene! Perfect timing.”
Tessa didn’t need to see her face to know. But when the blonde woman turned, her figure poised and flawless, teeth flashing in a bright smile, Tessa’s chest tightened.
Danielle Greene.
Standing there, holding the dress that had just been taken from Tessa’s hands, as if the universe itself delighted in humiliating her.
- Writer
