Chapter 83
Chapter 83:
It was blank.
“He did it!” Seraphina screamed, jumping up and down in the tiny, un-air-conditioned living room. “Liam actually did it p>
She didn’t question why it was blank. She didn’t question why it was in her mailbox and not Liam’s. Her vanity filled in the gaps.
She grabbed a pen. She wrote Ms. Seraphina Miller in her loopy, childish handwriting.
She called Liam.
“Baby! I got the invite! You’re the best p>
Liam, sitting in his office, frowned. “What invite p>
“The Vance Gala! Don’t play coy. I’m going to buy the most expensive dress in the city. Put it on the card p>
Liam rubbed his temples. He hadn’t requested an invite. He couldn’t afford a dress. But hearing Seraphina happy… it was a relief. It meant she wasn’t screaming at him about the apartment.
“Fine,” Liam sighed. “Just… don’t go crazy p>
“I’m going to be the belle of the ball,” Seraphina promised.
Skye, sitting in The Spire, received a text from Ethan.
Ethan: The trap is set.
Skye smiled. She walked to her closet. She pushed aside the red dress, the gold dress. She reached for something black—something that looked like mourning, but felt like an executioner’s hood.
“Checkmate,” she whispered.
The Vance Estate was a fortress of limestone and light. It made the Kensington Manor look like a dollhouse.
Skye stepped out of the Bentley. She was wearing the black dress. It was backless, plunging dangerously low, held together by thin diamond chains. It was severe, daring, utterly breathtaking.
Alistair Thorne offered his arm. He was in a tuxedo that fit him like armor.
𝖮nl𝘺 𝘤𝘰mple𝗍e𝗱 n𝗼𝘷еl𝘴 o𝘯 𝗯𝖾𝗹ո𝗼𝘷𝖾𝗹𝘀.𝗰𝗈𝗆
“Ready to break some hearts?” Alistair asked.
“Just one,” Skye said. “And maybe a bank account p>
They walked up the grand staircase. Cameras flashed—blinding and rhythmic.
Inside, the ballroom was a sea of old money. People whispered as Skye passed. They knew about the divorce rumors. They knew about the scandal. But seeing her on the arm of Alistair Thorne… that silenced them.
Then, the doors opened again.
Liam entered. He looked tired. His tuxedo was impeccable, but his eyes were weary. Beside him was Seraphina.
She was wearing a dress that looked like a wedding cake had exploded—layers of pink tulle, rhinestones everywhere. It was massive, designed to hide her sling and the soft cast on her leg. She limped slightly, leaning heavily on Liam, but her smile was manic.
“Oh God,” Harper whispered, appearing at Skye’s side. “She looks like a gender reveal party gone wrong p>
Seraphina spotted Skye. Her smile faltered, then turned into a sneer. She dragged Liam over.