Chapter 4

The Grand Ballroom of the City Hotel. The Annual Foundation Gala. Crystal chandeliers glittered. The city' s elite, academics, philanthropists, all gathered. This was the arena where Vicky was to be crowned.

Ellie walked in, her father by her side. He was still apprehensive, but he was there. A murmur followed them.

"Is that Eleanor Vance? I heard she had a breakdown."

"Poor girl. Can' t accept her cousin' s success, or that Ethan chose Vicky."

"They say she' s been making threats. Quite unstable."

The whispers, fanned by Vicky and Ethan, had done their work.

Ethan spotted them. He approached, Vicky on his arm, radiating false modesty.

"Ellie. Arthur. So glad you could make it." Ethan' s smile was tight. "Shows there are no hard feelings, eh?"

Vicky simpered. "Ellie, dear. I do hope you' re feeling better."

Ellie met Ethan' s gaze. "We' re here to see justice done, Ethan."

He scoffed, a low, patronizing sound. "Justice? Ellie, the world has moved on. Vicky is the future. You should be careful. Making a scene will only damage your own reputation further." His eyes held that flicker again, the memory of their past, his belief that she was still his, deep down.

"Perhaps you should be careful, Ethan," Ellie said, her voice calm and clear. "Sometimes the past has a way of catching up to the future."

He looked at her, a moment of uncertainty before his arrogance reasserted itself. "You' re still so dramatic. Vicky is about to receive a major honor. Don' t ruin her night."

Later, as the preliminary speeches began, Ethan found Ellie alone near the terrace.

"Ellie," he said, his voice softer now, almost conspiratorial. "I know you' re hurting. But Vicky... she needs this. Her success is my success. If you publicly support her tonight, just a few words about her talent... I can make sure you' re brought back into the fold. Gracefully. People will forgive your... earlier outburst."

He paused, then added, his voice dropping further, "Vicky is generous. She wouldn' t even mind if you... stayed close. To me. As her support. We could all be... happy."

Ellie stared at him, the sheer, unadulterated audacity of it. A threesome, with her as the tolerated appendage to his and Vicky's triumph.

"You are unbelievable," she said, not bothering to hide her disgust.

He frowned. "Don't be difficult, Ellie. This is your best option."