Page 71 of My Ruthless Husband

Without saying a word, one of the girls gently ushers Skylar to sit down on the nearby lounger. The other quickly grabs a drink and hands it to her, their concern evident.

Skylar snatches the drink from her hand, barely looking up. She takes a sip, her eyes still fixed on the phone screen.

I wonder what could have upset her so much. I watch, concerned as they try to console her. But Skylar exclaims again, “How on earth did she snag it, Maria?”

“I have no freaking clue, but we totally underestimated her.”

I watch, stupefied as Skylar’s eyes fill with unshed tears. Unable to contain myself any longer I ask, “What happened, Maria? Why is she so upset?”

Maria sighs, “There’s this model. She and Skylar participated in a beauty pageant this year and she ended up winning.”

Skylar interrupts, still sniffling, “She wasn’t even supposed to be in it! She’s, like, three years older than us! Seriously, it’s like they just bent the rules for her.”

The other girl rubs her back. “Yeah, I feel you, girl.” Then she looks at me. “It’s totally unfair. She just came out of nowhere and boom! She swoops in, stealing the crown.”

This is news to me. I had no idea Skylar participated in beauty pageants.

Maria pushes to her feet and starts pacing. “And, like, let’s be real here, she’s got all these connections and a gazillion Instagram followers. She had an unfair advantage from the get-go.”

“Just like Skylar… right?” I ask in confusion, earning glares from everyone around me. From the little I’ve overheard, it sounds like she’s just as big on social media, with all the right connections to go with it.

“I don’t misuse my power and connections, River!” Skylar all but screams and I wince.

Maria explains, “She pulled off this absolutely insane stunt last year that went viral, like, worldwide viral. It was for charity, and it exploded all over social media.”

Skylar chimes in, still seething. “She gained more followers than me in a single day!”

The other girl isn’t stopping either. “She got famous. Everybody loved her. She began working with major brands, her name popping up everywhere.” Then she mentions how much she makes from just one paid partnership post on her social media account, a sum that completely astounds me.

They rant some more about how her career took off and she hit it big in such short time.

“But that’s in the past, right? Why is she so upset now?”

“Because this is where it gets crazier. There’s this limited-edition dress—only three of ‘em in the entire world. Skylar’s been obsessing over it for months, posting about it non-stop. She asked her dad to pull some strings and get it for her. But today? This bitch shows up at some high-profile gala in New York, wearing the exact dress.”

“She is a fucking stalker who stole my dress!” Skylar throws herself in her friend’s arms.

I watch helplessly as she cries. I’m not sure what to say, but I know I can’t just stand there. So, I move closer, crouching in front of her, gently taking her hands in mine. She looks up at me, eyes red, and I start speaking softly. “Skylar... I get it. That dress was everything to you, and it really sucks that it didn’t work out. But hey, one dress isn’t going to change anything, right?”

She stays quiet, so I press on. “I know you wanted that dress, and I’m sorry that it slipped through your fingers. But there’s always going to be something else, something new, something better. Life’s too short to let one thing knock you down. So takea second to be upset, sure. But then get over it. You don’t need a dress to show everyone how amazing you are.”

“You’re right.” She sniffles.

“You are beautiful, Skylar. And unique in your own way. Don’t let anyone affect you this much.”

She gives me a small smile.

I smile back and stand but she pulls me to sit beside her. Grabbing her phone, she thrusts it in my hand. “Look at her pictures and tell me.”

My brow furrows. “Tell you what?”

“Does she look better than me?”

I shake my head. “Skylar, you shouldn’t compare—”

“For my peace of mind! Please!”

I sigh and glance down at the screen, my eyes widening. The model stands tall, her long blonde hair flowing, exuding beauty and confidence. In the middle of the red carpet, she commands the cameras’ attention effortlessly.

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