Page 42 of The Wrong Fiancée

"Why?" Dante looked confused.

"Dante," I warned.

He grinned cheekily. "I get why you thought Elika wasn't your intellectual equal 'cause she's superior to you. That woman is all heart and strength."

"I—"

"Darling." Felicity slipped her arm around my waist. "Isn't this party fabulous? Daddy and Mummy are about to give a speech, and they want us to say a few words, too."

I understood business and networking. My parents had drilled that into us at an early age, and using an engagement to show off and bring people together was absolutely something they would approve of.Butfor some reason, it felt wrong, almost vulgar.

You just don't want to celebrate it in front of Elika.

Or at all!

I admitted that seeing Elika again had shifted something inside me. It reminded me of how much I had liked her, how much I had wanted her. It also made me realize that what I had with Felicity wasn’t on the same level. The passion was different, less intense. Seeing Felicity outside her polished, professional persona—just as the daughter of the wealthy—made me question whether I really knew her at all.

Dante excused himself.

"Fee, you need to talk to your mother," I told her.

She cocked an eyebrow. "About?"

"About how she talks to Elika. What she said to her at the buffet crossed all lines of decency. And warn her that Dante is going to speak with her as well. Another incident like what happened today, and he's going to ask us to leave."

She looked shocked and then tittered, "Is this some kind of joke? Do you know how much my father pays Giordano Hotels & Resorts every year?"

"I think Dante doesn't think there's enough money to let you treat one of his people the way?—"

"What's it with you andher? Seriously, Dean. Are you having an affair?"

I was taken aback by that. "What?"

"Are you sleeping with her? She's got a reputation, you know? Fucks the guests. Didn't Dante tell you?"

Before I could ask her to explain herself, Sam was on the dance floor, banging his finger on the microphone to unnecessarilytest it.

I felt my temper rise. But my anger was directed at myself. What the fuck was wrong with me? How had I not seen who Felicity was?

"Welcome, welcome, all," Sam announced. He had a slight slur. Well, he'd been drinking all fucking day, so, no surprise there.

The scent of smoked meat and tropical fruits filled the air, blending with the gentle hum of island music, toned down to allow Sam's voice to rise above the cacophony of the party.

Games were set up across the grounds—corn hole boards, coconut bowling, even a small volleyball net near the beach where a few of the younger guests were already splashing into the surf. The whole thing was perfectly curated—casual enough to feel laid back but so obviously luxurious that no one could forget what kind of party this was.

I wanted out! I wanted out now.

"As you know, we're thrilled that Dean Archer is going to be our son-in-lawverysoon. You all know the Archers; both Tate and Marcella are sorry not to have made it today. Still, I have it on good authority that they'll be coming here before the summer is over, so we'll have an excuse to do thisagain."

Everyone applauded.

"Fee, baby girl, Dean, come up here."

Felicity grabbed my hand, and I let her walk me to the dance floor.

Ginny took the microphone from her husband. "We're so thrilled that Felicity and Dean will be married soon. Don't they look lovely together?"

More applause. My eyes wandered to land on Elika who stood at the bar, a smile on her face as she poured a drink for a guest.

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