Chapter 16
The champagne tower cast fractured light across the crowd, and the soft violin music couldn’t mask the tension crackling in their corner.]
Yelena swirled her champagne, her lips curving into a mocking smile as she continued.[]
“Your company’s getting gutted by that little gold digger, and you’re here at cocktail parties?“]
Kieran’s eyes went dark, his knuckles white around his glass: “Watch your mouth.“[]
“What? Did I hit a nerve?” Yelena let out a harsh laugh, pulling Lorraine protectively behind her. “Aurora’s drained what, enough cash from Harper Industries to buy her own private island in the past three months?“]
Guests were starting to stare, whispers rippling through the crowd.[]
Lorraine frowned, tugging at Yelena’s slee
“Yelena, let’s just go…“]
“He’s not ashamed to embarrass himself, why should I shut up?” Yelena’s voice got louder. “Kieran Harper destroyed his own company chasing after some gold digger, and now he’s got the balls to come harass you?”
Kieran’s jaw clenched as he grabbed Lorraine’s wrist again: “We’re talking. Now.“[]
“Get
your goddamn hands off her!” Yelena smacked his hand away. “You’re divorced! What the hell is this supposed to be?”
More guests were pulling out phones, the attention getting intense.]
Lorraine took a deep breath: “Follow me.” “D
In the garden, night air carried the scent of roses.
The fountain’s splash muffled the party noise, but couldn’t cool the explosive tension between them.]
“Lorraine.” Kieran’s voice was rough as he reached for her. “This isn’t what you think.“[]
“It doesn’t matter.” Lorraine backed away from his touch. “Kieran, we’re done.“]]
“Whatever went down before, I don’t give a shit anymore. Just stay out of my life.“[]
“Lorraine, stop acting like a goddamn child!” He stepped closer, his voice getting sharp with frustration. “I never wanted to divorce you. Aurora’s just… she’s all alone, I have to take care of her. Why are you being so jealous? I…“[]
SLAP!
The sharp crack sent birds flying from the trees.[]
Yelena shook out her stinging palm, laughing coldly: “Take care of her? You call letting her blow through company funds ‘taking care‘? Letting her move into your fucking marital home? Letting her post your jewelry gifts on Instagram?“[]
“There are plenty of people in the world who need help–why don’t you rescue all of them?“]
Kieran’s head snapped to the side, his tongue working against his burning cheek, eyes stormy: []
“You don’t understand. Aurora’s different, she’s…“]
“She’s what?” Yelena cut him off viciously. “An orphan? All alone in the big bad world?“[]
She yanked out her phone, finger stabbing at the screen: “Take a look at what your ‘innocent angel‘ has been up
to!”
Photo after photo flashed across the screen.
Aurora wrapped around some middle–aged oil exec on a yacht. Aurora sliding poker chips to a blonde guy at a casino. Most damning–Aurora walking
“This is bullshit…” Kieran’s pupils blew wide, stumbling backward.[]
“You think she came back to the States for you?” Yelena went in for the kill. “That sob story about her ‘gambling addict father‘? Total bullshit! She racked up massive gambling debts overseas and the Russian mob was after her, so she ran back here!“]
Lorraine’s head snapped up, shock flashing in her eyes.[]
Kieran went white as paper, veins popping at his temples: “You’re lying!“]}]
“Am I? Why don’t you hire a PI and find out?” Yelena pulled Lorraine close, patting her arm protectively. []
“Stop putting on this act about ‘taking care‘ of her. You just wanted to have your cake and eat it too, but Lorraine broke free from your control, so now you’re losing your shit, right?“]
“Lorraine, it’s not like she’s saying…” He looked desperately at Lorraine, his throat working. “I didn’t know about any of this, I swear…”
“It doesn’t matter anymore, Kieran. It’s better if we never cross paths again.“[]
With that, Lorraine grabbed Yelena’s arm and walked away without looking back.
Watching her resolute departure, pain flashed across Kieran’s face. His hands shaking, he pulled out his phone and called his assistant.[]
“I need you to investigate everything about Aurora from the past few years. Every fucking detail. I need to know who’s been playing me.“[]
