Open Marriage, Broken Promises: When Love Turns to Ashes novel Chapter 22

She glared at Emily. It was obvious to everyone that Alex was standing up for her.

And among those "everyone" was James.

James stalked over like a guard dog protecting its meal.

"That dress—did Alex give it to you?"

Emily ignored him.

Since arriving, she'd barely acknowledged him twice.

James grabbed her arm.

"Give it back."

Susan scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"James, what the hell is your problem? You didn't want to buy her a dress, so someone else did. Get over it."

Alex chimed in, casually adjusting his cufflinks.

"She's right. I gave it to her. Voluntarily."

The murmurs around them grew louder.

Emily rubbed her temples.

She had no interest in being caught in the middle of this mess.

She turned to Alex.

"Do you have something else I can change into?"

To James, though, it sounded like submission.

His arrogance returned in an instant, chin lifting.

"Make sure Alex gets one for Lily too. She is your sister, after all."

Robert added smugly,

"Exactly. Stop being so difficult. You fight at home, you fight in public—try not embarrassing yourself for once."

Emily's gaze flickered to Lily, who was cowering behind them.

They had no shame.

So why should she give them any face?

"I don't have a sister. Or is her mother dead now, and she's decided to start calling a corpse ‘Mom'?"

The room went dead silent.

No one had ever heard this particular family secret before.

Robert's face twisted in rage.

"You ungrateful little—"

His hand swung up, ready to slap her.

Alex stepped between them, blocking the hit effortlessly.

"Mr. Hayes, let's all stay civil."

He gestured to a waiter nearby.

"Take both ladies upstairs to get changed."

Lily's face turned pale, then flushed deep red.

Her biggest insecurity—her illegitimacy—laid bare for all to see.

Emily had just publicly humiliated her.

How the hell was she supposed to show her face in society after this?

The waiter led them to the stairs.

Just as they reached the top, Lily grabbed Emily's arm.

"You actually think getting close to Alex Brown is going to turn you into Cinderella?"

"You…"

Emily let out a soft chuckle.

"Lily, don't think I don't know exactly what you're trying to do."

She pressed her hand more firmly against Lily's stomach.

"You dragged me up here, making a scene. What, hoping I'd push you so you could fake a fall?"

Her voice was quiet, but something about it sent a shiver down Lily's spine.

"Thing is…" Emily whispered, "I actually do want you gone."

Lily gasped.

Then—

A piercing scream.

Lily stumbled backward.

Her hands flew protectively to her stomach.

Shit.

This was bad.

Really bad.

But before she could hit the ground, a strong pair of arms caught her.

She turned, breaking into desperate sobs.

"James! Oh my God, you got here just in time!"

James held her close as she trembled violently in his arms.

His jaw tightened.