Ex's Revenge

CHAPTER FOUR

“This might be a lot harder than I expected,” I muttered under my breath, the words slipping out almost inaudibly as I stood frozen in place.

I scanned the room to find him, hoping to give it another shot, but the sound of laughter and chatter was an almost deafening backdrop to my torment. I was hanging by a thread, breath by breath, ready to fall apart at the slightest thing. I clung to my champagne flute as if it were the only thing keeping me earthbound.

The ballroom felt suffocating, packed with people who didn’t care about me, all wearing pretentious and fake smiles. All I wanted was to vanish into the shadows, but this was Grandpa Willow’s sixtieth birthday, and we had to make a family appearance.

Bethany stood at the center of attention, radiant in her dress, her best smile plastered on her face. She looked poised and perfect as usual. Her voice cut through the crowd like a blade.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Bethany called out loudly, commanding the attention of the entire room. She shone under the sparkling chandeliers, the picture of blistering glamour. My stomach churned.

“Tonight is a big day, a day filled with love and celebration—a day to celebrate family. Speaking of family, all this wouldn’t have been possible without my lovely sister.”

Oh no. My stomach dropped into a rumble. I knew exactly where this was heading.

Bethany scanned the room, her sharp eyes zeroing in on me. “My lovely sister, please come to the stage.”

Hundreds of eyes turned in my direction. Butterflies erupted in my stomach—not the kind that made you feel good.

“Don’t be shy,” she added, the mockery evident in her tone despite her smile never faltering. “Come up, Amy.”

Her voice was like venom as the crowd parted to let me through. I took a deep breath, setting my champagne glass on the table, and plastered the most neutral expression I could muster onto my face. My legs felt heavier with every step I took.

“Give her a round of applause, everyone!” Bethany’s words rang out.

Bethany wrapped her arm around me as I reached the stage. “Isn’t she stunning?” she asked, looking out at the crowd. Everyone nodded in agreement.

She turned to Collins, her fiancé, who stood stiffly beside her. “Doesn’t she look rather dashing tonight?”

Collins barely glanced at me. “She does,” he replied dismissively, his tone flat, as if I meant nothing to him.

Bethany’s smile grew even wider. “It’s funny how life works. If it weren’t for my dear sister, I might never have met Collins. Isn’t that right, Amy?”

My chest tightened as Bethany looked straight at me. “I love you, Amy,” she said, her tone sweet but empty.

She didn’t mean it. And I didn’t say it back.

Her smile grew brighter, and the crowd laughed at her words, oblivious to the daggers she was throwing my way.

“Isn’t it amazing how fate works?” she continued, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “She introduced us, and now we’re engaged. Don’t you think so, sister?”

She handed me the mic with an expectant smile. “Say a few words, Amy. We owe it to you.”

I froze. The room spun around me as their eyes bored into me. Bethany’s words echoed in my head. Memories of Collins and I came rushing back, each one stabbing at my heart like a dagger.

“Amy, we’re waiting,” Bethany prompted, her voice saccharine.

“I…” My voice cracked. I cleared my throat, forcing back the tears. “I’m happy for you both.”

Those were the only words I could manage. They tasted bitter and sour as they rolled off my tongue.

Bethany patted me on the back, like one would praise a child for a job well done. Her smile never faltered as she took the mic from my trembling hand.

Unable to endure another second, I stepped off the stage. Tears filled my eyes, and I walked as fast as I could, trying not to break into a run. Laughter followed me like a shadow, growing louder and louder, feeding on my humiliation.

The hallway was like a sanctuary—quiet, dim, and peaceful. I leaned against the wall, my breath heaving as I clutched my chest tightly. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and the heartbreak and humiliation clawed at me like a relentless storm.

I slid to the floor, burying my face in my knees, wrapping my arms tightly around them.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway, breaking the silence.

“Go away,” I said hoarsely, my voice trembling.

The footsteps grew closer.

“Hi, Amelia, is it?”

“I said, go away!”

“Amelia.” The voice was sharp and commanding.

I raised my head and froze. Jeremy Windsor stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.

I quickly turned my face, wiping away the tears. “Now you want to talk to me? What do you want?”

He ignored my question. “I saw what happened in there,” he said, his voice steady and calm.

“Good for you,” I snapped. “Go ahead, laugh. Just like the rest of them. Feel free to continue the humiliation if you haven’t had enough.”

“I’m not here to laugh or humiliate you.”

Something about the way he looked at me made my heart skip a beat. He was so much more striking in person—his towering figure, the piercing blue eyes, his voice both soft and cold.

“I’ve been watching you, Amelia,” he said, stepping closer. “You don’t deserve this. Not from Bethany. Not from Collins. And certainly not from your parents.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Why do you care? Some minutes ago, you walked past me like I didn’t exist. What do you want? What’s in it for you, Jeremy?”

He closed the gap between us, his presence overwhelming. “Because someone has to care. And I know you’re stronger than this.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but his intense gaze silenced me. His eyes held something raw, something I couldn’t quite decipher.

“Why do you care, Jeremy?” I whispered, breaking the charged silence.

He lifted my chin gently, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Because I don’t want to see you destroyed. And I have a proposition for you.”

“A proposition?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took my hand, his grip warm and firm. “Marry me.”

The words hit me like a bad joke.

“What?” I let out a disbelieving laugh, but his expression remained unchanged.

“Marry me,” he repeated, his voice low but resolute. “Let me be your ticket out of this.”

The hallway suddenly felt smaller, his request hanging in the air like a challenge.