Chapter 128
Elodie’s Pov~
Cara looked ready to march over there and give both of them a piece of her mind. Her whole body was tense, entirely coiled like a spring.
But I reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her.
She turned to me, her eyes blazing. “Elodie p>
I shook my head calmly. “It’s okay p>
“It’s not okay p>
“Cara.” I kept my voice calm, even though something bitter was crawling up my throat. “It doesn’t matter p>
Maybe I didn’t have much of a personality. Maybe I was too gentle, too quiet, too boring.
But I knew who I was.
And whether or not Rex Hardin or anyone else, found me interesting didn’t change that.
I didn’t need their approval.
I didn’t want it.
A moment later, Rex and his friend finished their drinks, set their glasses down, and walked away, completely oblivious to the fact that we’d heard every word.
Cara was still fuming. “I used to think Rex had taste. That he was different. Interesting, even. But no, he’s just like the rest of them. Completely charmed by Sienna p>
I opened my mouth to respond, maybe to tell her it didn’t matter, that I was fine but before I could, a man approached us.
He had this sleazy, greasy smile and eyes that lingered too long in all the wrong places.
He knew Cara, apparently, because he grinned at her before turning his attention to me. “Cara, is this your friend p>
Cara’s expression went ice-cold immediately. “What kind of person are you to even look at my friend? Get lost p>
His smile faltered. “Cara, you p>
She shot him a look so sharp it could’ve drawn blood.
The man wisely backed off, muttering under his breath as he slunk away.
Cara downed half her glass in one gulp, her jaw tight with anger. “That’s the fifth… no, sixth guy tonight who’s tried to hit on you. And why is it always the trash? Why do all the decent ones only have eyes for Sienna p>
I didn’t answer right away. I just reached over and patted her back gently, trying to calm her down.
I was about to say something, maybe that Sienna was impressive in her own way, that it wasn’t surprising people were drawn to her, when Cara’s entire body went rigid.
I followed her gaze. And there she was.
Sienna. Out of all people, standing not far away, holding two glasses of water, her eyes fixed on us.
I didn’t know how long she’d been there.
But judging by the slow, satisfied and venomous smile on her lips, she’d heard everything.
Rex’s conversation. His friend’s comments. All of it. Our eyes met and her smile deepened.
She didn’t say a word. Just gave me a cold, disdainful once-over, like I was something she’d found on the bottom of her shoe.
Then she turned and walked away.
“Damn it p>
Cara’s hands clenched into fists, her whole body shaking with rage. “She’s the daughter of a mistress, and she’s a mistress herself! What the hell does she have to be so smug about? And ’the one everyone loves’, I think she’s just a pile of shit”
“Cara,” I said quietly, pouring her another glass of water. “What do you mean, ’the one everyone loves p>
She blinked, then sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It’s what they’re calling her now. Sienna. ’The one everyone loves.’ All those second-generation heirs in the circle, the ones with more money than sense, they’re all obsessed with her p>
Cara’s voice dripped with disgust. “They act like she’s some kind of goddess. Like she’s the most fascinating woman to ever exist p>
She paused, then muttered, “And the worst part? Even guys like Dante and Rex p>
She stopped abruptly, her eyes widening as she realized what she was about to say.
“Wait, no, I mean… Elodie, I didn’t mean to p>
I shook my head. “I’m fine p>
“Are you sure? Because p>
“I’m fine, Cara p>
Since childhood, I’d been surrounded by people who turned their backs on me. My father, Logan, who’d always favored Sienna.
My aunt Lauren, who’d made it clear I was never good enough.
Old Mrs. Brown, who’d looked at me like I was a mistake her son had made.
And then, in the last few years, Dante, now falling head over heels for Sienna.
And Liora, my own daughter, wanting her to be her mother.
Through all of it, I’d never spoken to anyone about how I truly felt.
I’d never cried. Not once.
If I couldn’t bear it, any one of those things should have broken me. Should have shattered me into pieces so small I’d never be able to put myself back together. But I’d survived.
I’d gotten through it all.
So compared to everything I’d already endured, what did Rex Hardin and his friend matter?
What did their careless words mean in the grand scheme of my life?
After hearing them talk, my heart had remained calm. Unaffected. Or at least, that’s what I told myself.
Cara didn’t say anything for a moment. Then she reached out and pulled me into a tight hug. “Elodie p>
I smiled against her shoulder. “It’s getting late. Let’s go home p>
She pulled back, her eyes searching mine. “What about your grandmother’s birthday present p>
“We’ll find something another day,” I said. “I don’t believe we won’t find something perfect p>
She nodded, her expression fierce. “Damn right we will p>
We held hands and walked toward the exit together.
As we stepped outside into the cool night air, I saw Dante and Sienna. They were walking toward the parking lot, side by side, close enough that their arms were almost touching.
Dante’s eyes flicked toward me. Just briefly.
I looked away first, pretending I hadn’t noticed, and climbed into the car.
Cara shot them both a glare before sliding into the passenger seat. “Assholes,” she muttered under her breath.
I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, my hands steady on the wheel.
In the rearview mirror, I saw Sienna glance at Dante, then gave a soft and sweet and victorious smile. I looked away and kept driving.
After dropping Cara off at her place, I was about to head back to my apartment when my phone rang.
I stared at it, only to see it was Liora.
I connected the call to Bluetooth, keeping my eyes on the road. “Hi, sweetheart p>
“Mommy, when are you coming home p>
Her voice was small. A little lonely.
I swallowed the tightness in my throat. “I’m not coming home tonight, baby. But I’ll come see you tomorrow after I finish some things, okay p>
“Oh… okay p>
I could hear it in her tone. She was bored. Restless.
She’d been spending so much time with Sienna lately that she probably didn’t know what to do with herself now that Sienna was busy.
And she’d thought of me.
Not because she missed me. Not because she wanted to spend time with me.
But because she had no one else.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “Goodnight, Lio p>
“Mm. Goodnight, Mommy p>
The line went dead.
I drove in silence for a while, the city lights blurring past my windows.
And for the first time all night, I felt the cracks starting to show.