I moved toward the refreshment table, pretending not to notice the lingering gazes. My fingers wrapped around a wine glass, and I poured myself a drink just to keep my hands from shaking. The liquid sloshed slightly as I lifted it.
“Brielle,” a gentle, honey-sweet voice called behind me.
I turned slowly.
Victoria Blackwell approached, her smile polished but hollow. The scent of jasmine clung to her, thick and overwhelming, making my stomach twist.
“Happy birthday,” she said brightly. Then she tilted her head, her lips curling faintly. “Or maybe I should say… happy Liam’s day instead?” She let out a soft laugh that scraped against my nerves.
I said nothing. I simply watched her, waiting for whatever cruelty she had prepared.
She leaned closer, her breath brushing against my ear. “I heard you can’t have children anymore,” she murmured softly, her voice coated with false concern.
My heart stumbled.
“Didn’t Xavier tell you?” she continued, her tone dropping into something colder. “He admitted it to me himself. He poisoned you. He didn’t want you carrying his pup, Brielle. He even said he’d rather never have children at all than have one with you.”
For a moment, everything around me faded.