He could have defended me. He could have silenced the rumors with a single denial. Instead, he fed me to them.
Claire touched his arm gently, lowering her eyes in practiced grace. “Matthew, please. Don’t humiliate her further. She’s my best friend. I’ll forgive her.”
Forgive me. The bile rose in my throat.
The crowd applauded her saintly mercy, showering her in admiration. Their eyes slid past me as if I were no more than a stain on the evening. My destruction was complete.
The rest blurred. I became furniture in my own home while Matthew entertained his colleagues with Claire glowing at his side. She poured his drinks, whispered into his ear, laughed too brightly at his jokes—everything I used to do before she replaced me.
Hours later, the house emptied, leaving silence as heavy as stone. Matthew finally faced me. His expression was cold, precise.
“You embarrassed me tonight.”
“You humiliated me first,” I whispered.
His gaze sharpened. “Don’t twist this. Claire defended you. She begged me not to punish you further. If you weren’t so jealous, you’d see how much she cares for you.”