My heart tightened as I listened to the way Sullivan casually dismissed .
In their eyes, I was nothing more than a tool—barely even human, just a disposable pawn in their grander sches.
Sullivan had spent his entire life working to bring the Fay family under his control through this engagent. Now, that plan was crumbling right before his eyes, and he hated it. I could see it in his sneer, the way he barely even looked at .
In the past, Cole had never protested the engagent to Sophie. He accepted it, no questions asked.
But this ti was different—he was different. And that terrified . The future, which once seed so certain, was now shrouded in doubt.
From this mont forward, I was stepping into the unknown, completely blind to what the coming days would bring. Every familiar certainty had crumbled beneath my feet, leaving standing on the edge of a future I couldn't predict.
My future had changed. I hadn't been cast away, exiled to so forgotten island to be left to rot. No, I was still here, still fighting.
Cole's eyes narrowed dangerously, and when he spoke, his voice was stony as his face. "Have you forgotten that my own mother ca from a poor family? From unknown origins, just like what you're saying now. Are you mocking my family?"
Sullivan paled, his smug confidence cracking. "That's not what I ant, but . . ."
If I were him, I'd keep my mouth shut. Every word he spoke was like another shovel of dirt, burying him deeper in a grave he was digging for himself.
And honestly, pushing yourself on a man who didn't want you—it was humiliating. I knew that all too well.
I'd been that fool before, clinging to sothing that was never mine, chasing a love that was always out of reach. It was a bitter lesson.
But I couldn't entirely bla them. Letting go of the Fays now? That was like signing your own death sentence, especially with Sinclair standing firm against them.
Desperation made people reckless, and they were teetering on the edge of destruction.
"There will be no engagent between and your
maid
," Cole said, his tone absolute, leaving no room for argunt.
Sullivan and Sophie's faces drained of all color. They couldn't even muster the energy to be angry anymore—there was nothing left but the bitter sting of defeat.
Sophie, red with embarrassnt, stord off, disappearing into the crowd without a word.
I suppose the party was over now. Good. At least I could finally go back and get so rest.
But Sullivan wasn't finished. His voice lashed out like a whip, dripping with venom. "I hope you're happy now, Eve. You've ruined this party, and worse—you've destroyed Sophie's engagent. After everything we've done for you, is this how you repay us?"
I frowned. What was he even talking about? They were the ones who had wrecked their own lives, and they almost ruined mine.
If it hadn't been for Sinclair, I would've lashed out at him right then and there. How dare he accuse ? He was the one behind my kidnapping, the one who nearly ended .
Cole knew that too. He had to. By now, he must have figured out that it was Sullivan who had ordered the whole thing.
But for so reason, he hadn't said a word. Maybe it was because of Sinclair, or because I hadn't said a word about that incident. Either way, he was silent about it which I didn't know what to think of.
If not for Sinclair, I would've confronted Sullivan myself. But I bit back the rage, holding it inside.
"Let's go, Eve."
The voice cut through the stiffness, freezing everyone in place.
All eyes turned to Sinclair as he strode toward , the crowd parting for him.
When he reached out his hand, it felt like a lifeline, and without hesitation, I took it.
"Eve . . ."
Cole's voice stopped , barely a whisper, but I heard it. I wasn't used to that tone—the warmth, the softness, the gentleness. It chipped away at the ice I had carefully built around my heart.
With everything in , I wished he would go back to being cold, indifferent Cole. Anything but this. Not now. Not like this.
I had spent years longing for him to love , to speak to with the sa tenderness he was showing now. How ironic that, when I finally let go and no longer wanted him, that wish was coming true.
It was too late.
Without looking back, I walked away with Sinclair, leaving the party behind. We had accomplished what we ca for—there was no need to linger in this ss any longer.
As we settled into the car, I had no idea what to expect from tomorrow's headlines. But one thing was certain: this night would be the talk of everyone for months to co.
And in the center of it all—was and Sophia.
=== ===
Sophie stord into her room, trembling with rage. Everything she touched instantly shattered against the cold, unforgiving floor—vases, perfu bottles, delicate trinkets—all destroyed in her fury.
"Eve! That
bitch
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!" she scread, her voice raw with anger, every ounce of her heart's tornt pouring out in that single word.
Monts later, Sophia rushed in, pulling her distraught daughter into her arms. She stroked Sophie's back, her voice a soft, soothing lody. "Honey, relax. Don't let her get to you."
"How can I relax, Mother?!" Sophie's voice cracked, her eyes burning with hot, bitter tears. "Eve ruined everything—my birthday, my
special
day! It's all about , but she stole all the attention, humiliated in front of everyone! And worst of all, Cole . . . Cole's breaking off the engagent with !"
Sophia gently wiped the tears from Sophie's cheeks, her touch comforting, though her eyes glead with a cunning edge. "Not everything is lost, darling. You're still a Rosette by blood. Eve, on the other hand? She's nothing but an adopted na. When Sinclair is no longer around, do you really think the world will still accept her? It's only a matter of ti before she loses everything."
Sophie's sobs quieted, her breath still hitching as her mother's words sank in.
"As for Cole," Sophia continued, her voice low and calculated, "don't give up so easily. You have
plenty
of chances, Sophie. You're the true heir to the Rosette na. Fate is on your side. Trust the process, my dear. You can still have whatever you desire—because of who you are. The Rosette na holds power.
You
hold power."
Sophie's trembling began to subside, her mother's words like poison dripping into her ears, soothing the sting of her defeat.
She nodded, her tear-streaked face hardening with resolve.
The ga wasn't over yet.
Not by a long shot.
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