Page 151 of Tangled Kisses
“Jesus,” Pearl whispers, taking me in. “You look awful. Worse than I do. Are you okay?”
I huff out a laugh, sounding more like a sob. “No. I’m pretty fucking far from okay.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Reese
I’ve spent the last 48 hours in hell.
I know the part I’m supposed to play tonight—smile, nod, stay quiet. Pretend I don’t ache with every step. Pretend the bruises under my dress don’t exist.
Otherwise, I’ll be sent back to my room, a.k.a. my cell—the four walls with one door that always remains locked.
The laughter feels louder tonight, sharper, like it’s aimed at me. Glasses clink, ice rattles, and the Hale’s Hamptons estate hums with wealth and cruelty in equal measure. I move through the crowd with a glass of vodka I don’t drink, my free hand brushing past sequined gowns and starched sleeves. Every glance sticks to me—pity, disdain, smug triumph.
Let them look. Let them whisper. I’m not here to charm them.
I’m here to survive.
I spot Vander across the room, holding court with two men whose cufflinks gleam like trophies, acting as if he isn’t holding a woman against her will.
A frantic bird in a gilded cage, willing to break her neck for freedom, only to realize too late that her wings are clipped.
But he’s smiling tonight. Pleasant, even.
And although he’s been anything but amenable to me since my forced return, I have to believe some kernel of goodness still exists inside him.
Time to put that theory to the test.
His colleagues see me before Vander does, tipping their glasses in my direction. They don’t know the truth. All they see is Vander’s willful fiancée is safely back under wraps.
Of course they’re polite, but they have undoubtedly dragged my name through the mud repeatedly.
“Vander, may I speak with you for a moment?” My voice is steady, though my chest aches from the effort.
He hesitates, suspicion flickering, then excuses himself and follows me to the side. “Something wrong?”
“How much longer do you intend to keep up this ruse?” I rest a hand gingerly on his forearm, receiving a pointed glare in return, as if I’m contagious. “You deserve better. You have everything—your name, your money, and lines of women who would kill to stand beside you.”
His gaze sharpens. “True, but that’s not the point.”
I push on, desperate. “Can’t you have mercy on me? What happened to the man I met in the club all those years ago? We had some great times together.”
He tilts his head, curious. “What, you loved me?”
I should lie, but my mouth can’t form the words. “I tried. But after so many women, so many lies… you made it impossible.”
His lip curls as he adjusts the cuff of his suit, the motion sharp, dismissive. “So you think playing nice for a few days will repair what you’ve broken?”
What I broke? That’s rich.
“I thought—” The words tangle on my tongue. “I thought I would announce tonight what I’ve done to you. Take all the blame. Humiliate myself so you can walk away untarnished.You could call off the engagement publicly. I’ll make myself the villain.”
For a moment, silence stretches between us. Then his smile sharpens, cruel. “Do you really think that gets you off the hook?”
“I thought it might get us both off, actually.” Glancing around the room, I scan the faces of the partygoers. “Where are your parents?”
“They’re not coming out this weekend.”
