Chapter 2 Do you want to spend the night with me

Violet

"She should've thought about her health before pushing both of us into the pool!"

Everything went quiet, and all eyes turned toward Nora. She looked at me, eyes wide, like a deer caught in headlights.

Normally, I wouldn't say anything. Normally, I'd swallow my pride, bite my tongue, and let her play the victim like she always did. But today, she crossed a line.

She almost cost me my life.

I glared at her. "Well? Cat got your tongue?"

She flinched. "W-what?"

"Say it," I demanded. "Tell them the truth. You pushed me into the water on purpose."

Matthew blinked and turned to her, startled. "Nora... is this true?"

She looked down, and bit her lip, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and said softly, "Matthew... do you really believe this nonsense? Do you honestly think I'd drown myself, on purpose? For what reason?"

She looked up at him with those eyes, the same wide, glassy eyes that had everyone wrapped around her finger since the day she reentered our lives.

"You know I'm not that kind of person."

"What?" I whispered. "Are you serious?"

People started whispering around us.

"Yeah, she wouldn't do that."

"Who would jump in a pool if they couldn't swim? That's ridiculous."

"It doesn't make sense."

I bit down on my lip so hard it stung. My eyes burned with frustration and disbelief as I turned to Matthew, some foolish part of me still hoping he'd take my side, that he'd believe me.

"I'm telling the truth," I said. "She pushed us. She did it on purpose!"

His jaw clenched.

Please believe me.

Please.

He looked at me, then looked away. "Enough of this."

My stomach dropped.

He shook his head. "Nora would never push herself into danger. Violet, you must've... you probably drank too much. You don't remember it right."

My stupid, fragile heart ached in a way I didn't know was possible. I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt the tears slide down my cheeks.

I wasn't just hurt.

I was erased. He just believed her.

"I didn't want to say anything, but you were the one who actually pushed me, Violet. I instinctively grabbed your hand when I fell." She glanced at Matthew. "But I told myself it had to be a mistake. That's why I didn't say anything."

I stared at her. My lips parted, but nothing came out.

Matthew didn't hesitate.

"See?" he said, turning to her like she was the one who needed comfort. "Violet made a mistake. Don't take it to heart, Nora."

At this point, I didn't know whether to laugh or scream.

I nodded slowly, more to myself than anyone else. The pieces were finally clicking into place.

"I see it clearly now," I whispered.

Matthew's brows pulled together. "What?"

I looked up at him, my voice hollow. "You never loved me, did you?"

He flinched.

"When I first saw Nora, I noticed the resemblance. I thought it was just your type, same eyes, same smile, the way she laughed...but it wasn't a coincidence, was it? I was just a placeholder. A warm body until your woman came back."

His face turned pale. "Don't talk nonsense, Violet. That is not true."

"Not true? Then tell me, why is it always her and not me? If we were both hanging off a cliff, you'd save her. If we both needed a kidney, you'd give her yours. If we were both drowning, you'd pull her out. Oh wait, you already did."

He stood up, cradling Nora in his arms. "I'm taking Nora home. I don't want to listen to this bullshit," he said. "I'll call my driver to take you back. I don't think I can come home tonight, Nora needs me. You can call your friends to stay with you."

I sat there, hugging myself tightly. The cold water clung to my skin, but it was nothing compared to the chill inside me. I didn't even have the strength to argue, or scream. I was just drained.

My love, my loyalty, my trust had been wasted.

I was about to stand when I felt something heavy and warm wrap around my shoulders.

I froze.

The scent of expensive cologne filled the air as I looked down at the oversized black coat wrapped around me, confused.

A low, throaty chuckle echoed beside me.

I turned my head to see a man standing to my left, hands in his pocket, drenched from the pool, his dark hair wet and tousled, falling over a sleek black mask that covered the upper half of his face. I'd forgotten, this was a masquerade party. But even with the mask, I could tell he was really attractive.

He was the man who saved me.

His striking blue eyes scanned me, curious, and a lazy smirk curled on his lips. That look made my heart skip a beat.

Matthew stiffened. "Who are you?"

The man barely glanced at him. His gaze flicked over Matthew like he was a bug.

"I'm highly disappointed." His deep voice echoed through the walls.

His voice was the kind that made powerful people tremble. It was commanding.

Matthew frowned. "I don't know who you think you are, but mind your business. You saved my girlfriend, and you have my thanks. But don't meddle."

The man tilted his head, utterly indifferent. "Are you not even ashamed?" he asked, his tone almost mocking. "You are thanking someone for saving your woman, when you had every chance to do it yourself?"

Matthew's jaw clenched.

The man continued, bored. "I should ask my secretary where he found you. You're a funny little thing."

Matthew wanted to say something, clearly pissed, but the man didn't even look at him anymore.

His full attention shifted back to me.

Those blue eyes looked at me like he could see past my wet clothes and trembling body, and straight into my soul.

"Do you want to spend the night with me?" he asked.

My heart thudded.

"...."

What did he just say?

"What?"

"Do you want to spend the night with me?"

He repeated. "Will you let me pleasure you tonight, and make you come over and over, in my sheets?"

I choked on my spit. My lungs forgot how to breathe.

Behind me, Matthew exploded.

"What the hell do you think you are?!" he barked, face red with disbelief. "How dare you say that to my girlfriend?!"

The man barely turned his head. His voice was cold "Keep your mouth shut, boy. Kids don't speak, when adults are talking."

I stared at him.

So did everyone else.

I'd never seen anyone talk to Matthew like that.

People feared him, not for who he was, but for who his adoptive father was. He was rich, powerful, and ruthless. The kind of man who could destroy reputations with a phone call. People tiptoed around Matthew because of that legacy. But not this man. This man looked at him like he was nothing.

His gaze returned to me. He tilted his head. "So, what do you say?" His smirk deepened. "Will you let me ruin you tonight?"

Heat bloomed in my stomach. I felt it crawl up my neck.

"How dare you!" Matthew shouted again. "Security! Escort this lunatic out of here!"

The guards didn't move.

Matthew turned, red-faced. "Are you all deaf?! I said get him out of here, now! If you don't want to get fired!"

They still didn't move. Nora spoke up. "Matthew....do you think Violet knows him?"

He turned to me. "Who the hell is this? Violet, do you know him?"

I looked at him. He was still holding her.

The woman who had nearly killed me. The woman he believed over me. The woman who got his coat, and everything he couldn't offer to me.

Why was I still trying? Why was I clinging to something that was never really mine?

I looked at the stranger.

He hadn't moved, but he was watching me closely like he already knew the answer, but wanted me to say it.

I took a shaky breath, and tugged lightly at the hem of his pants.

His head lowered, curious. When he bent down, in one motion, I reached up and cupped both sides of his face and kissed him.

He paused, and a low chuckle vibrated through him.

"I'll take that as your answer, princess." he murmured against my lips, and then he kissed me properly.