“How far you’ve fallen.” Her gaze swept over me—my plain dress, my trembling fingers—before landing on my face. “Matthew used to call you his whole world. Now he can’t even be bothered to look at you.”
The words hit like glass splintering in my chest. “That’s not true.”
Claire’s laugh was soft and merciless. “Oh, Evelyn. I’m his confidante. The things he tells me… you’d break if you knew.”
I tried to move past her, but her hand shot out, nails biting into my wrist. She leaned close, her whisper hot and poisonous.
“Do you know why, after three years, you’re still childless?”
Ice flooded my veins.
“Because he doesn’t want one with you.” Her breath brushed my ear. “He told me himself—he can’t imagine tying himself to you like that. But with me? He dreams of legacy. Of an heir. My heir.”
I ripped my arm free, tears stinging my vision. “You’re lying.”
“Am I?” Her head tilted, smirk curling. “Why do you think he’s always working late? Why he never makes it home for anniversaries? He doesn’t love you, Evelyn. He loves me. And soon everyone will know it.”
Grief and rage collided inside me. Before I realized it, I shoved her.
Claire stumbled, gasping theatrically, then collapsed onto the rug with a cry just as heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs.
“Claire!” Matthew’s voice thundered. He rushed into the hall, eyes snapping to her crumpled form—then to me, standing above her.
“What the hell did you do?!” His glare sliced through me, so fierce my knees nearly buckled.
“I didn’t—she—”
“Matthew,” Claire whispered, her voice trembling with perfect fragility. She clung to his sleeve like a drowning woman. “Don’t be angry with her. She didn’t mean it. I shouldn’t have provoked her.”
The portrait of innocence.
“Provoked? She pushed you!” Matthew snarled, rounding on me. “Are you out of your mind?!”
“No!” My voice cracked. “She’s twisting everything, I swear—”
But already guests were gathering, phones raised, whispers cutting into me like blades.
Matthew bent and scooped Claire into his arms as if she were porcelain. Bile surged in my throat. He shielded her, defended her—against me, his wife.
“Let’s just go,” Claire sobbed into his chest. “She’s my best friend. I don’t want her humiliated.”
Matthew’s jaw clenched, his fury barely contained. “Evelyn. With me. Now.”