Chapter 2

Isla POV

  I tried again to stand, but the weight of my dress, now drenched in champagne, made it impossible. I pushed against the floor, but my knees gave way, sending me back down into the puddle of broken glass and spilled champagne. 

My face burned with embarrassment, and I could hear the murmurs of the guests as they watched me struggle.

  Jaxon sighed, his annoyance and frustration evident. Slowly, he stepped forward and reached down to help me. His hands gripped my arms, but he did it so carefully, so reluctantly, making sure none of the champagne on my dress transferred to his suit. 

It felt mechanical, as if he was performing a duty rather than helping his wife. His touch used to make me feel safe, but now it was cold, distant.

  “Stand over there,” he muttered, nodding to the far end of the room, away from the guests and the shattered glasses. “Wait for me. I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Without another word, he turned his back to me and walked off, his mind already elsewhere. I was nothing more than an inconvenience to him tonight, and that realization hurt more than I cared to admit.

 I stood alone, sticky and uncomfortable, trying to ignore the whispers around me. I wanted to disappear, to melt into the floor and never be seen again, but I couldn’t. 

  The deed had already been done, and there was nothing I could do about it.  So instead, I stood there like a wet lost puppy waiting for its owner, while I tried to ignore the glares and snares thrown my way.

 I shifted in place, my dress clinging awkwardly to my body. Where was he?

Moments later, Jaxon returned, his expression still unreadable. But by his side was the lady from earlier, and again, she was standing too close for comfort. 

He was smiling so fondly at her. My husband was smiling so fondly at another woman.

   “Isla,” he said, turning to me, “I want you to meet an old friend, Lucinda.”

  She smiled sweetly at me. “It’s lovely to meet you finally, Isla,” she said smoothly, her tone friendly but with an undercurrent of something– something I couldn't quite figure out. “I would shake you, but you know…”

   I forced a smile, not oblivious to the subtle jab. “It's fine. Nice to meet you too.”

  Lucinda’s eyes shifted briefly toward Jaxon’s mother, Auriela,  who was watching us closely. She waved at Auriela, who smiled, waving at Lucinda in return.  

As the duo exchanged looks, I felt out of place, more like an outsider. And as much as I hate to admit it, I felt a little bit of jealousy as I watched them both.

  “We go way back,” Lucinda said, her gaze flicking back to me. “Jaxon and I, that is.”

    I nodded politely, not knowing how to respond.

 Jaxon, unaware of the tension, glanced down at his phone and frowned. “I’m sorry,” he said, “I need to take this business call. Lucinda, could you help Isla find a change of dress? The one she has now looks a bit…” His voice trailed off, clearly noticing the discomfort I was trying to hide.

 “Of course!” Lucinda smiled warmly. “Come with me, Isla. I know exactly what you need.”

 Before I could protest, Lucinda grabbed my hand and led me away from the main hall. I glanced back at Jaxon, but he was already on his phone.

 In the dressing room, Lucinda’s friendly act remained, I wondered how long it would take until she finally revealed who she truly was.  There was just something about her that made me feel uneasy. 

She picked out a gown from the wardrobe, something sleek and glamorous. It was a black glitter bodycon dress and handed it to me.

“Try this on,” she said, watching me closely. “It’ll suit you much better.”

   I accepted the dress. “Thank you.”

“The bathroom is over there,” she said, pointing at a dark door just by the corner. “Wash up and change up. I will wait.”

 I shut the door quietly behind me, and stripped, stepping under the shower. As I scrubbed the stench of champagne from my body, Lucinda continued speaking.

 “You know, Jaxon and I have always been close,” she began. “We practically grew up together. His family has always considered me part of them.”

I stood there staring at myself in the mirror. My makeup had smeared, my hair was clampy from the champagne and I was……bleeding?

I inspected my arm and sighed. I was so filled with embarrassment that I didn't even realize that I had a piece of glass in my arm. “What a mess,” I muttered as I reached for the nearest cabinet.

Some wipes to clean out the dried blood and a tiny pair of scissors to pull out the glass.

I heard a knock on the door, followed by an annoying high-pitched voice. “Everything okay in there Isla?”

“Yeah,” I yelled in response, “I’ll be out in a minute.”

I pulled it out with a wince and quickly rinsed my arm in running water.  Quickly, I discarded my soaked dress and washed up quickly.

 “Oh you're done, finally,” she said, as soon as I stepped out of the bathroom.

   Lucinda continued, as if  she hadn’t noticed my discomfort. “His mother, Auriela, has always thought I’d make the perfect daughter-in-law. But, well…life happens, doesn’t it?”

 “That’s nice,” I murmured, slipping into the dress. The dig was subtle, but it was there. I could feel the weight of her words as I struggled to adjust the gown. 

It fit better than the dress I had been wearing. And as much as I wanted to hate the dress, I loved it.

 When I was finally dressed, she gave me a once-over, nodding approvingly. “Much better,” she said with a smile.

   By the time we returned to the main hall, the party was already in full swing.

  As soon as we stepped inside, Jaxon’s mother spotted us, her gaze zeroing in on Lucinda with a smile that seemed far too affectionate. 

 “There you are, Lucinda!” Auriela exclaimed, her voice brimming with warmth as she tucked her arm through Lucinda’s. “I’ve missed you. You can’t miss the gift opening. It’s my favorite part of the evening.”

 Lucinda laughed lightly. “Oh no Auriela, I wouldn't miss it for anything.”

 Auriela's attention was fully on Lucinda while I stood awkwardly at their side. It was clear that Auriela was much more pleased to see Lucinda than me, her supposed daughter-in-law. 

She had not for once acknowledged me since I arrived. But I was fine. Besides, it's something I've gotten used to.

  Guests began to gather around as Auriela prepared to open her gifts. I stood in the background, feeling more out of place than ever, mainly because I had forgotten to get her a present in my haste to get ready for the party.

  Before I could retreat further, one of the guests called out to me.  “Isla! You’re Jaxon’s wife, right? Why don’t you present your gift first?”

   A wave of panic rushed over me. 

I hadn’t expected to be put on the spot like this, and now, all eyes were on me. I could already feel the weight of their stares, knowing I was about to make a fool of myself.

  “I–uh…” I stammered, my mind racing. Just as I was about to admit I didn’t have a gift, Lucinda stepped forward, saving me from further embarrassment.

 “Oh, don’t worry, Isla!” she said, her voice light and cheerful. “I brought a gift for Auriela. Why don’t you help me with it?”

 I shot her a grateful glance, though I wish I had known better. She led me toward the table, where a beautifully wrapped gift sat. I helped her carry it over to Auriela, feeling the eyes of the guests on us the entire time.

Auriela opened the gift with eager hands, but the moment the box was revealed, her smile faltered. 

     “Oh…” she murmured in shock.

 Inside the box was a delicate porcelain figurine, or at least it had been. Now, it was broken, the pieces rattling as Auriela held it up for all to see.

 A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. The guests whispered among themselves, casting suspicious glances in my direction. 

I could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on me. I stared at the broken pieces in horror, my mind scrambling for an explanation.

 It wasn’t my gift, but somehow, I was the one being blamed for the damage. After all, I had helped Lucinda present it.

Auriela turned to me, pissed. “Isla, what the hell is this?” she asked.

“I–i didn’t,” I stammered, trying to find the right words.