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With a final glance between Esther and me, Elijah turns on his heel and heads for his office. “Esther. My office. Now.”

Without glancing back, he disappears behind the door.

Esther scrambles after him, stopping at my side.

“Ah, Gemma,” she says sweetly, with cold, calculating eyes. “You look troubled. Is everything alright?”

“Everything’s fine, Esther.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Esther’s expression hardens. “Let me be clear. You’re nothing more than a little toy he’ll discard.” Her gaze flicks dismissively over my simple dress. “Elijah is mine. We’re engaged in case your simple mind has forgotten.”

Part of me wants to lash out, but engaging with her pettiness is pointless. I am not some fragile doll to be mocked. Not anymore.

Drawing myself up, I meet her gaze. “I think you’re severely underestimating me.”

“Am I? Look at you, a naive little girl playing dress-up with delusions of grandeur.” She leans in. “Let me enlighten you about the real world, dear. Men like Elijah don’t settle for faded wallflowers like you.”

She’s threatened by me.

“You can insult me all you want, but it won’t change the truth. Elijah wants me, not some shallow, materialistic arm candy.” I lean in, my voice low. “And deep down, you know it.”

“In the end, I’m the one with the ring.” She holds it up.

She’s right. Why am I getting like this over a man who continues to hold me at arm’s length while parading around his picture-perfect fiancé in public? I’m the other woman, only wanted behind closed doors.

“Goodbye, Gemma.” Esther sweeps past me into Elijah’s office.

What is happening to me? I don’t want to be like this. Will he do the same with her? Why did I let myself be charmed by him? And why does it hurt so much?

As I make my way out, I repeat Amanda’s advice in my head: eyes on the prize.

How could I be so stupid? I pivot on my heels.

Fuck you, Elijah Milton.

I flick my hand at the building, directing my middle finger towards Elijah in my mind. The surrounding people regard me with furrowed brows. Let them.

When my heavy breathing slows down, my hand falls to my side.

I will never let him near me again unless it’s for business or if he ends things with Esther. No. No, if’s.

I pluck out my phone, pulling up the chat with my mother.

Gemma: Mom, set up another blind date for me.

I deserve more than that. Let the blind dates come. They’re at least not engaged or married.

Mom: What changed your mind? You usually complain about these things.

Gemma: Things changed.

Mom: Okay. I already have someone in mind.

I dare you to crash one of my dates again, Elijah.

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