Chapter 12
“Clinton’s furious,” he said, leaning back in my office chair. “I pulled three of his biggest investors last night. They’re with me now.”
I blinked, then snorted into my coffee. “Good. Let him seethe. It’s poetic, don’t you think? You taking back what he used to brag about as his untouchable empire.”
Nathan laughed, a sound so warm it settled somewhere deep in my bones. “Oh, he’s seething all but that didn’t last long. She’s back right. And rumor says Alynna tried to beg him to keep her with your father now.”
–
My chest tightened for a second at the thought of Leo. Once, the mere mention of him would have made my hands shake. Now? It was just background noise.
“Let them grieve,” I said lightly, swirling the spoon in my mug. “They dug their grave. I’m just letting them lie in it.”
Nathan tilted his head, lips twitching. “Savage. I love it.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “You knew this part of me was always there. You just refused to let me bury it.”
He leaned forward, elbows on the desk, grin wicked. “So. Should we send them an invitation to our wedding? Really give them something to gossip about?”
I let out a sharp laugh, my heartbeat thudding at the thought – not fear this time, but the thrill of reclaiming my own life. “Oh, that would be delicious. Watching them squirm while we toast to their failure.”
“Then it’s settled,” Nathan said, standing to pull me from my chair. He pressed his forehead to mine, voice soft but charged. “I want them all there. Leo. Clinton. Even that snake Alynna. I want them to see that you’re never coming back that you were never theirs to break.”
–
“And what about the venue?” I asked, feeling that wild spark bloom in my chest.
“I’ve arranged it already,” Nathan said. “A banquet. Everyone who’s ever doubted you? Invited. We’ll do it in style.”
He paused, smirking. “Masquerade, maybe. Makes it more fun, doesn’t it?”
For days, I threw myself into the planning. I ordered roses by the dozens, deep reds and soft creams, flowers that had nothing to do with mourning but everything to do with power.
I worked with the caterers, chose the wine, the hors d’oeuvres, the music. I left the business calls to Nathan, who was more than happy to sit back and watch me command a room in a way I’d never been allowed to before.
It was mine – all of it. And this time, no one was going to take it away.
When the night finally came, the hall glowed like something out of a story. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, candles flickered against marble columns, and the guests drifted through it all in all those false faces hiding masks of velvet and gold. There was something almost poetic in it – ugly truths.
Nathan was by my side, his mask simple but elegant, his hand warm against the small of my back as he led me through the crowd. As we made our way through the hall, I caught sight of
1/2 52.3%
them like a stain I’d expected to see sooner or later.
Clinton, mask half-tilted up as he downed another glass of wine. His hair was a mess, his tie askew, eyes darting around like he was looking for an escape route that didn’t exist. I saw Alynna too, clinging to Leo’s side like a spoiled child who’d lost her favorite toy. Leo stood stiff pretending not to notice the looks people gave him.
I almost laughed. They looked so small.
Nathan leaned in to whisper, his breath warm against my temple. “He’s furious, you know Clinton. I heard him ranting to someone in the hall about how I ‘stole’ his contracts. Like they were ever really his to keep.”
I smirked, tilting my head just enough for Clinton to catch sight of me. “Good. Let him see what a real thief looks like.”
“Ready?” Nathan asked, stepping in front of me, offering his arm like a prince in one of those fairytales I’d stopped believing in.
“Always.”
He led me to the center of the grand room, where the music softened and people turned, masks half-raised, whispers coiling like smoke around us.
Nathan raised his glass, voice calm and confident as it rang through the hall. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I wanted you all here family, friends, partners – because I have something important to announce.”
–
He turned to me then, and my chest tightened in that way it did when I remembered how soft he used to be with me back when we were just two kids sharing secrets in the dark.
“I’m getting married,” Nathan said, voice echoing off the marble, slicing through the chatter like a blade.
He reached up and tugged his mask free, dropping it to the floor. I followed his lead, slipping mine off too, letting the world see me again.
Across the hall, Clinton stood frozen, wine glass slipping from his fingers, shattering on the floo at his feet. His eyes met mine wide but I didn’t flinch.
2
4:26 pm
