Chapter 7: The Dinner

“Now that I think of it, this is a bad idea,” Adrian said, his fingers flexing on the steering wheel as he tried to reverse the car.

I whipped around to glare at him. “Are you out of your mind? It took me three hours to pull this glam. There’s no way we’re backing out now.”

He gave me a long stare, one that sent a ripple of heat through me despite my irritation. Then, slowly, his gaze drifted over me, lingering just a little too long on the neckline of my black dress.

“You look absolutely ravishing,” he said, his voice dipping low. “Although,” he added, his lips curling into a wicked smirk, “I think you’d look even better without all of it.”

My cheeks burned, and I tugged at the edges of my dress to ground myself. “Focus, Adrian. Are we doing this or not?”

“He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair, his frustration evident. “Are you sure about this? It’s not too late to back out.”

I nodded firmly, ignoring the nervous flutter in my stomach. “Absolutely.”

He let out a breath, shook his head like I was the crazy one, and pulled into the long driveway.

The house loomed ahead, its lights spilling golden onto the well kept lawn. It was the kind of place that screamed wealth.

Adrian parked and stepped out, circling the car to open my door. His hand extended toward me. I hesitated only briefly before placing my hand in his.

So this is what it feels like to be treated right by the right man.

The walk to the door was short but nerve-wracking. My heels clicked against the pavement, the only sound in the still air. Adrian rang the doorbell.

Nothing.

He rang it again.

Still nothing.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “Are you sure they’re home?”

The sharp clicking of heels on tile answered me.

The door opened to reveal Lucia, Damian’s mother, standing in all her glory. She was beautiful in that cold, calculated way. Blonde hair pinned into a sleek updo, her red lips curved in a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. The kind of woman who could gut you with a smile.

Her eyes landed on me, scanning me from head to toe with a disdainful look. When I’d dated Damian, she’d hardly acknowledged my existence. Regarded me as trash, unworthy of her attention. I wasn’t even sure she’d known my name back then.

Now?

Her lips curved into a slow, mocking smile. “So it’s true,” she said. “From the son to the father. Quite a leap, I must say.”

I stepped forward before Adrian could say a word. I can stand up for myself. Matching her sharp smile with one of my own. “More like a step up.”

Lucia’s smile wavered, but before she could respond, Damian appeared behind her. His expression turned murderous the second his eyes landed on me.

He took one look at us—at Adrian holding my hand.

“So you did bring this slut here, Dad,” he spat, his words flying with venom. Spittle actually left his mouth as he sneered at me. “To my engagement dinner. I shouldn’t have invited you at all.”

“Insult her one more time,” Adrian threatened, “and I’ll consider cutting you off my will.”

Damian’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but he didn’t say another word. His face flushing as he searched for a comeback that wouldn’t cost him.

“Now step aside, Lucia,” Adrian said smoothly. “Since I paid for this house, I’d like to go inside.”

Her nostrils flared, but after a moment, she stepped aside, her jaw clenched.

Adrian led me through the grand doorway, his hand still on mine. We walked into the dining room, a space so elegant it felt sterile. He sat at the head of the table, gesturing for me to sit beside him.

I took the chair to his right, ignoring the twin glares burning into me from Damian and Lucia as they followed us inside.

Adrian leaned close, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, biting back a grin. “Better than okay. The looks on their faces are hilarious.”

I knew exactly what this looked like to them. Adrian’s head tilted toward me, his lips brushing dangerously close to my ear. It probably looked like he was nibbling on me right there in front of them.

Adrian cleared his throat and shifted his attention to Damian, breaking the tension. “So, where’s your fiancée? Running late?”

“None of your concern,” Damian snapped, his tone barely controlled. He shot a glare my way, his grip tightening around his wine glass.

I watched him out of the corner of my eye as I sipped my own wine. His glare shifted between me and Adrian, his fury barely contained. I smirked to myself, reveling in the small victory. Payback, asshole.

Damian couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“This is funny,” Damian finally said, his voice rising. “Last time I checked, you couldn’t wait to throw yourself at me. Did my father’s bank account make him more appealing?”

“You’re right, Damian. I was desperate for something real. But clearly, I was wasting my time with a boy who couldn’t handle me. So I upgraded.”

Adrian’s hand covered mine on the table. “Elle doesn’t need to explain herself to you. Or anyone else. But if you’re feeling insecure, Damian, you should learn how to treat women better.”

Lucia’s laugh broke the moment. “Just like you treated me huh Adrian? Chasing everything in skirt?” she said, her voice thick with disdain. “You always did have a taste for young, damaged women. First me, now her.”

“Damaged?” I repeated, laughing. “Coming from the woman who’s been living off Adrian’s alimony for years? That’s rich.”

Adrian chuckled under his breath, clearly impressed.

“Watch yourself, dear,” Lucia snapped, her facade slipping. “I’m talking to my husband.”

“Ex,” I corrected, leaning forward. “And unlike you, I don’t need a man to prop me up. I’m here because I want to be.”

Damian’s face turned red, his anger boiling over. “You trashy slut,” he spat. “You’re using him to get back at me, aren’t you?”

I smirked, unbothered. “And if I am? At least Adrian has the guts to stand by me, unlike you. You always cared more about what Mommy thought than about me.”

Adrian’s voice thundered through the tension. “Sit back Damian. Have some manners.”

Damian’s face turned red, and he opened his mouth to yell, but then Adrian’s phone vibrated on the table.

“Why don’t you check your phone, Daddy dearest,” Damian said, smugness dripping from every word

Adrian frowned, pulling out his phone. His face darkened as he stared at the screen, his jaw tightening.

I touched his hand. “Adrian? Is everything okay?”

He didn’t respond.

Then my own phone buzzed. A text from my mom.

What is going on, Elle? Why aren’t you answering your phone? Where are you?

My heart thundered as I clicked the link she sent

My breath caught. The first picture was of Adrian and me kissing on the balcony, our faces partially hidden by masks. The second? My heart stopped. It was in the library. No masks, no mystery. Just bare skin and tangled limbs.

I looked up, my eyes darting between the smug expressions on Damian and Lucia’s faces.

They did this.