The world tilted. My back collided against the cold, unforgiving wall, pain exploding along my spine. A sharp gasp escaped my lips as the impact sent a ringing through my ears.
The room fell into stunned silence before the whispers began.
“What do you mean, Nadine?!” Colette’s voice rang out, feigning shock, twisting the narrative in her favor.
Her eyes darted around, taking in the growing audience, her mind already crafting a new scene—one where she was the victim, and I was the villain.
She placed a trembling hand over her chest, her voice dropping into something delicate, almost wounded.
“Why are you showing off your intimate relationship with Raphael? I know we’re friends, but isn’t that something you should keep private?”
Oh, she was good.
I was still catching my breath, still reeling from the force of her shove, when the murmurs spread like wildfire.
“Intimate? Wait… does that mean Nadine just slept with Raphael?”
“No wonder she was missing all night.”
“But isn’t that a bit much? Flaunting it in front of Colette? Poor girl.”
“Colette and Raphael are basically destined for each other. Their families have known each other forever.”
“Did Nadine do it on purpose? To challenge Colette?”