All Chapters of Demoted to the Throne : Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

Bianca sat at her dresser, alone in her bedroom, still in her silk robe, staring at her reflection in the vanity mirror.It’s been two days since the gala. Two days since she'd watched Alaric walk past her—past her—and offer his hand to a stranger. Two days since the whispers had started."Poor Bianca." "I certainly didn’t expect that." "She must feel so humiliated."She'd heard every single one as she'd fled the ballroom. She'd seen the pity in their eyes. The barely concealed glee.Bianca Ashford—the woman who had everything—had been publicly rejected.Her grip on her hairbrush tightened. The handle creaked.She wasn’t humiliated. She was angry.Anger was easier to hold onto than the humiliation, the latter felt like she was cracking her chest open like a wound she couldn’t stop picking at.She set the brush down and pressed her palms against her temple.He chose his assistant . Over her.The moment replayed over and over. The way he'd walked past her, not sparing a single glance. T

Regina was staring at her phone.The message had come through ten minutes ago, and she'd read it at least seven times. She still couldn’t think of anybody that could have sent it."Meet me at The Grind. 12:30. Come alone."Maybe she was the cat in the proverb about curiosity because she wasn't even sure why she was considering going. But something about the message felt deliberate—like someone had been watching her, waiting for the right moment to reach out.She glanced toward the marketing department's entrance, where Selene used to sit. The desk was empty now. Selene was up on the executive floor, playing assistant to the CEO, getting all the attention, all the praise, everything Regina had worked for.The familiar bitterness rose in her throat like acid.It should have been me.She had been at Blackwood Corps longer than Selene. She had worked harder, stayed later, sacrificed more. And yet Selene—sweet, humble, perfect Selene—had been the one Mr. Harris recommended for promotion. S

Selene stepped into the executive floor for the first time in over a week.Everything looked the same. The polished floors that her heels clanked on. Her desk waiting for her afar off. The receptionist that greeted her happily.But even with that, it was still different.Was it the week at the hospital? Living off snacks and fast food. Watching her grandma fight for her life.Or was it her boss that she was currently about to face, after a very awkward last interaction?At least, everything was back to normal. For now.Back to normal, Nyx snorted, because that’s definitely what this is. Selene ignored her and settled into her desk.Everything was just as she had left it. Maybe even better. Her plant was watered. Chair tucked in. Files and documents removed and probably sorted already.She did not have to ask.She knew who had done it.Why would he—Because he likes you, Nyx said flatly. Obviously.He doesn’t. He probably got someone to do it on his behalf. Sure. And I’m just a figm