The ballroom hummed with chatter, but it all faded when Melissa glided forward, her black gown slicing through the crowd like a blade. Lauren’s arm trembled in Alex’s, her grip faltering as Melissa’s sly smile locked onto them, venom dripping from her lips.
“Well. Well. Well,” Melissa said, her voice loud, cutting. “If it isn’t the golden boy and his favourite little shadow.”
Lauren shrank back, her breath catching, eyes darting to the floor. Alex tensed beside her, his hands gripping his chair.
Melissa’s gaze raked over Lauren, slow and cruel, lingering on her dress, her ring. “Interesting,” she sneered, louder now, drawing stares. “You just can’t stop picking up my scraps, can you, Lauren? Always the sad little stray begging for what I don’t want.”
Lauren flinched, her voice barely a whisper. “Melissa, please, don't do this here.”
“Please?” Melissa mocked, stepping closer, her laugh sharp. “Oh, look at you…pathetic! What, did you think dressing up in that cheap silk makes you somebod
