Chapter 43

Emily's POV

I was now sitting at the table with Liam's date, and I was uncomfortable. She kept staring at me, and it was making me feel self-conscious and awkward. I didn't know what to say to her, and I just wanted to get out of there.

The silence was broken by her words, "I didn't expect Ethan to settle down for someone like you." I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, and I didn't know how to respond. I just sat there, feeling humiliated and small.

"What do you mean by 'someone like me?'" I asked her, trying to sound brave and confident. But inside, I was feeling completely insecure. I felt like I was being judged and found wanting.

"You know."

She looked at me up and down with a disgusted look on her face. I felt like I was being appraised and found lacking. She was being so rude, and I couldn't understand why. I hadn't done anything to offend her, so why was she acting this way?

Before I knew it, Liam's speech was over, and I hadn't even registered what he had said. My mind