His eyes narrowed. "You think you can be my side piece?"
In that moment, I couldn't understand my former self more than ever.
This man standing in front of me.
Shallow. Arrogant. Utterly classless.
Why had I ever fought with Effie over him?
A cold laugh escaped my throat.
I shoved him aside and walked away.
My partner came to apologize.
I stood at the banquet, quietly sipping my orange juice.
A sharp whistle.
Seven or eight men settled into the seats around me, boxing me in.
"Well, well. If it isn't the princess herself. Patrick's engagement party, and you actually showed up."
"We were taking bets on whether you'd be too heartbroken to come."
"Looks like the princess is still carrying a torch."
A hand reached over and pinched my dress strap.
I scowled and slapped his hand away. Hard.
"Ooh, a few years studying abroad and she's got a temper now!"
"This isn't like the old days when you were begging us to put in a good word for you, is it?"