"Us too!"
Within minutes, the private room that had been buzzing with noise was reduced to scattered glasses and empty chairs. Everyone was gone.
Samuel was the last to leave. He lingered at the door, worry etched across his face.
"Serena, you've had too much to drink tonight. Go home and get some rest. Want me to give you a ride?"
I pushed his hand away. "No."
I called a car of my own and headed to the hospital Carter always went to. Sure enough, I spotted him the moment I walked in.
Attentive. Devoted. Hovering at her side like she was the only person in the world.
He'd even fallen asleep at her bedside.
Mia leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. When she looked up and saw me, she froze.
The hospital corridor was cold and sterile.
Mia stepped out, her voice dripping with pitiful sincerity as she pleaded with me.
"Serena, I know you used to have feelings for Carter too, but he's already said it himself—he doesn't love you anymore."
"You've been clinging to him for so long. If you were really his true love, he would've married you ages ago. But clearly, that's not the case."
"Please, for old times' sake, just give us a little dignity."
"Stop clinging to him, okay?"
The way she said it, you'd think I was the homewrecker who wouldn't let go.
I stared at her, my expression ice-cold.
Everyone knew the Prescott beauty queen—talented, gorgeous, delicate as a flower. The kind of girl people instinctively wanted to protect.
Even at the reunion.
All she'd had to say was that she'd been clumsy back in high school and accidentally slipped her love letter into the wrong bag, and that one silly mistake had kept them apart all these years.
Every single person believed her without question.
But I just smiled coldly.
"Mia, drop the act. Who exactly are you performing for right now?"
The color drained from her face.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Other people might not know, but did you really think I didn't?"
"I saw it with my own eyes back then. You never put that letter in the wrong bag. That love letter was always meant for Brendan."
Mia's composure cracked. Her eyes darted sideways. "You're lying."
"Brendan? That chubby kid who couldn't pass a test and looked like a toad? Why would I ever be interested in him?"
The cold smile on my face only deepened.
"Because he was rich."
I'd seen it all back then.