"Mr. Stephens is so attentive. He never lets his wife touch a single drop."
"Remember that fool who tried to pressure Mrs. Stephens into drinking? He flipped on the spot. Who would've guessed that a man with such impeccable composure would put someone in the hospital over it?"
"That's what they say. Love your wife and the fortune follows. Just look at how far Stephens Corp has come!"
I smiled through all of it, but the smile never reached my eyes.
The devotion they envied was nothing more than a carefully constructed illusion. Only I knew what filthy betrayal and calculation lurked behind it.
The words had barely settled when Julie glided over on the arm of a date.
"Hey, sis. Hey, brother-in-law." She leaned into her companion's shoulder with practiced intimacy. "Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend."
Piers's smile froze. A sharp crack split the air as the champagne flute shattered in his bare hand.
He seized Julie by the arm and wrenched her away from the man. "Come with me."
"Piers, what are you doing?!"
He said nothing. His face was ashen as he dragged her away, leaving the entire room buzzing.
I had no interest in cleaning up their mess. I slipped out during the commotion.