We're sorry, Ms. Robinson. Your ride request has been forcibly canceled by the system...
Dominic hadn't been bluffing. He was using everything at his disposal to seal off every exit.
He wanted to back me into a corner with no way out, to make me understand that I was nothing more than something he owned.
I clenched my jaw and scrolled through my contacts.
I would not give in.
I dialed Vivienne Hartwell.
"Vivienne, come get me. I'm outside the bridal shop on Champs-Élysées."
On the other end of the line, Vivienne's voice came through thick with tears.
"Gabriella... I'm so sorry..."
"Dominic just called my dad. He threatened that if I dared come pick you up, the Hartwell family's entire funding chain would collapse by tomorrow."
"My dad locked me in my room... Gabriella, please, just give in. Dominic's lost his mind!"
My heart sank.
Dominic had cut off my very last escape route.
Through the rain-blurred glass, I could see him holding a glass of red wine. He swirled it lazily, savoring the sight of me standing in the downpour.
Millicent was kneeling at his feet, massaging his legs.
The scene burned my eyes and killed whatever feeling I had left for him.
I realized then that you shouldn't go digging through the trash for something worth keeping. Garbage was garbage. It belonged in the bin.
I drew a deep breath and shoved my frozen hands into my pockets.
If no one was coming, I'd walk.
I turned around and plunged into the rain.
Bang! I hadn't taken two steps before a black Maybach screeched to a halt in front of me, spraying a curtain of muddy water.
The window rolled down. Spencer stepped out under a black umbrella.
He looked me up and down with open contempt, then dropped a garment bag at my feet.
Through the half-open zipper, I could see a cheap white bridesmaid dress inside. The loose threads hadn't even been trimmed.
Spencer stared at me, his tone dripping with condescension.
"Miss Robinson, Mr. Kessler has been generous enough to extend an offer."
"Miss Abbott is walking the red carpet tonight, and she's short an assistant to carry her train."
"Mr. Kessler says all you have to do is put this on and attend to Miss Abbott this evening."
"Your credit cards will be unfrozen by tomorrow, and there might even be a seat for you at the wedding."
He wanted me to carry the train for the woman who stole my gown?
Wearing this?
It was pure humiliation.