Chapter 28

Drew’s face hardened the moment Max's lips brushed against my cheek. It was as though he was holding back an eruption, like a volcano teetering on the edge of explosion. His jaw tightened visibly, the muscles along his temple twitching, and his eyes those cold, unreadable eyes bored into me with a mixture of disdain, confusion, and something deeper I couldn’t begin to unravel.

Then he spoke.

“Well,” Drew said slowly, his voice low and dripping with sarcasm. “Am I to believe you and Max are now… an item?”

Each word landed with a deliberate sting. His tone didn’t rise, but the disdain laced in it was unmistakable. And it wasn’t directed at Max. No, it was all for me. He didn’t look at Max when he asked, he looked at me. Only me. And that made it worse.

I opened my mouth, unsure if I wanted to explain or defend myself or if I even could. But before I could form a syllable, Max, ever eager cut in, with his grip tightened subtly around my waist, and he stepped in before I could say a word.

“Yes,” he said quickly, his voice firm and proud. “What does it look like?”

I froze. My breath caught. It felt like someone had knocked the air out of my lungs.

My lips parted slightly, stunned, but no words came out. Drew’s eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking to Max’s hand still resting far too low on my back. That muscle in his jaw ticked again.

Drew’s eyes didn’t leave mine. The storm brewing in them wasn’t loud, but it was furious. There was something dangerous behind the calm, a quiet rage that twisted in his tightly composed features.

I had forgotten Kimberley was still there with us until she spoke up “That's nice, you guys look good together.”

I turned to Max, trying to pull my arm from his hold, but his grip didn’t falter.

Before I could say anything, Max leaned down slightly and whispered with a too casual chuckle, “We should go take our seats. The event’s starting.”

I said nothing. Could say nothing. My lips were dry, my tongue heavy. We turned and walked toward our table as the lights began to dim slightly.

I couldn’t protest, not here, not now. My skin crawled under his touch, but I let him guide me toward our table, trying to keep my composure, trying to process what just happened.

All around us, people murmured, laughed, and sipped champagne, unaware that I felt like the world was crashing down inside me.

I sat down rigidly, folding my arms across my lap, needing to feel something anchored. My thoughts spun wildly.

What had just happened?

I was starting to see it now, clearer than I had before. This wasn’t about support or care. This wasn’t about Max being kind and stepping up for the baby. No. This was a game. A performance. Some twisted battle of pride between two men, and I was the trophy.

The realization made my stomach twist.

I stared straight ahead, fists curled tightly in my lap. I wanted to scream, but I sat still, letting the noise of clinking glasses and polite laughter drown out the war in my chest.

This wasn’t the Max who texted me good morning every day. This was someone else. And whatever he was hiding it was bigger than I’d imagined.

He had claimed me. Publicly. Without my consent. And Drew… Drew had looked at me like I’d betrayed something sacred. And maybe I had. Maybe I was betraying myself.

I could feel Max glancing at me out of the corner of his eye, gauging my reaction. But I didn’t give him one. I kept my eyes fixed on the stage.

The host of the evening stepped up, microphone in hand, flashing a dazzling smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here. We’re honored to welcome you to this charity gala, benefiting children’s health and education initiatives across the country. And now, for the highlight of the evening, our exclusive charity auction.”

Polite applause followed. Servers glided between tables, refilling glasses and offering food. But I had no appetite.

Item after item was presented; a signed football jersey, a vacation home package, art pieces. The crowd was lively, people raising placards and cheering on their friends. Max tried to lean in a few times, to whisper something charming, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response.

I barely registered what was happening until the final item was wheeled onto the stage under a velvet covering.

“And now,” the host said with a flourish, “our final and most anticipated piece of the evening a one of a kind Colombian emerald and diamond necklace, once belonging to a European duchess. A collector’s dream and a showstopper at any gala.”

Gasps filled the room as the velvet was pulled back to reveal the necklace.

It was stunning.

Vivid green emeralds lined with delicate diamonds shimmered under the lights. It looked like it belonged in a glass case in a museum not around someone’s neck. But it was magnificent, and all eyes were on it.

“Starting bid,” the host called, “fifty thousand dollars.”

A hush fell over the room.

Max turned to me with a glint in his eye. “I’ll get it for you,” he said, his voice soft and smug.

I turned to him slowly, eyes narrowing. “What?”

“The necklace. It’s perfect for you.”

“No, Max. Don’t.”

He smiled like I was being modest. “Come on, Lila. Let me do this.”

“I said no,” I said again, firmly.

But he was already raising his placard.

“Fifty-five thousand to the gentleman at table nine!” the host called.

I clenched my fists under the table. I could feel the tension crawling up my spine. I turned instinctively, eyes searching across the room.

And there he was.

Drew.

His expression unreadable. One arm resting casually across the back of his chair. But his eyes were locked on me.

The moment his gaze met mine, he raised his placard.

“Sixty thousand,” he said evenly.

My stomach dropped.

“Oh boy,” Max murmured beside me, a smirk playing on his lips. “Looks like someone wants to impress Kimberly tonight.”

“Max…” I started, but he waved a hand, eyes still on Drew.

“Seventy thousand,” Max called out.

“Seventy-five,” Drew countered immediately.

The host grinned. “It’s heating up now, folks.”

The bids climbed quickly. Eighty. Ninety. One hundred. Neither man backing down. Each glance, each raise of a placard was a challenge. Not for the necklace.

For me.

I felt sick.

“One hundred and ten thousand,” Drew said smoothly.

Max paused. He hesitated, and for the first time all evening, the confidence in his expression flickered. His hand gripped the edge of the table, his smile fading just slightly.

“Going once!” the host called.

Max’s fingers drummed against the table.

“Going twice.”

He looked at me then. And whatever he saw on my face made him stop.

“Sold! To the gentleman at table five!”

Applause broke out again. Drew didn’t even look at the necklace. He glanced at me one last time, then turned away.

Max let out a low breath, then turned to me with a tight smile, trying to save face. “Guess Drew really wants that necklace for Kimberley.”

I stared at him, something in me snapping. “Take me home,” I said flatly.

He blinked. “What?”

“I want to go home. Now.”

“Lila, come on. It’s just a bit of fun…”

“This isn’t fun for me, Max,” I cut in sharply. “You just declared us as a couple in front of my boss. You bid on a necklace I didn’t want. And you’re treating this like some some twisted contest.”

“Common Lila, calm down. Don’t make a scene,” he whispered harshly, his hand brushing mine.

I pulled my hand away.

“Take me home,” I repeated, my voice low but deadly. “Or I’ll find my way myself.”

Max looked at me for a long second, then finally sighed and stood up.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

I didn’t say another word. I didn’t look back. I didn’t care about the whispers or the eyes on us. I just wanted to get out. Away from the lights. The eyes. The lies.

And as we walked out of the grand ballroom, my heels clicking against marble floors and the echo of applause still ringing behind us.

While I waited for Max to drive his car to the entrance from the parking lot I overheard some people discussing about the auction battle that happened between Drew and Max.

“It seems Drew is still very much interested in Kimberley, I thought what they had was history. I didn't think he would spend that much on a necklace for her.” One lady said

Another person responded and said “We are not sure if it was for Kimberley, he could have a girlfriend.”

“A girlfriend? Have you ever seen him with another lady after hKimberley and before the auction began I sighted the both of them looking all cozy. It could be that they are back together.”

Max pulled up immediately, I entered and the car and we drove away in silence.