The Unveiled Rose

"But that just makes me want to say it more! Listen, Jessica. I'll bring up what you two did every single time I see you."

I was tired of wasting time on her. "If you keep standing here and ruin my mood, I'll grab a microphone and tell everyone here exactly what you did."

Jessica's face turned ashen immediately. She quickly scanned the room to make sure no one was watching before hurrying away.

Moments later, Sasha joined me with her own plate of food. She dropped into the chair beside me before grumbling, "My dad just dragged me around and introduced me to everyone."

I smiled at her troubled face. "Aren't you annoyed?"

"God, yes!" Sasha grabbed my hand. "They all act so formal, saying things like 'Oh, I held you when you were a baby!' How am I supposed to remember that?"

Then, she continued, "I'd seem rude if I didn't say anything, so I just kept nodding."

She stabbed a piece of meat with her fork before shoving it in her mouth. "These events are awful. I'll never come to another one!"

Just as she finished speaking, Steven appeared. I dropped my smile. First the mistress, now the cheater.

Clearly, crowded events were not my thing. I looked away, planning to ignore him and get a fresh plate of food.

"You were lying earlier, weren't you?" Steven blocked my path and asked, "You're not really dating Zane..."

I stepped back to create some distance between us. Staring at him, I coldly asked, "Why would I bother lying to you? Steven, you're not important enough in my life for me to make up stories about."

He still would not believe it. "Even if you don't love me anymore, you'd need time to move on. You wouldn't jump into something new so quickly."

I took a deep breath. "It hasn't been quick for me. You seem to forget how I met Zane. It was when you threw me out while I was penniless and homeless."

Steven fell silent.

"In our six years of marriage, you never treated me well." I continued slowly, "But Zane was different. He took me in, cared for me, and helped me heal from my husband and son's betrayal. I started to have a new life."

I found myself smiling. "Looking back at everything that happened, I'm grateful that we divorced. Thankfully, Zane and Willow chose me as family."

Upon hearing that, Steven's face darkened. Meanwhile, I went up to Zane when I saw him approaching.

Having finished her food, Sasha crossed her arms while eyeing Steven with disgust. He looked decent enough, shame about his character though.

She knew Annalise was tired of Steven's pursuit and warned, "Stay away from Annalise. She's too kind to expose what you and that woman did, but I'm different! I'm not nice at all!

"I'll buy headlines on every news site and let everyone know what you did!"

Steven glared at her impatiently. "This is between me and her. It's none of your business!"