I smiled until my cheeks ached. I shook hands with investors, accepted condolences about the "miscarriage" with a graceful nod, and played the part of the supportive partner perfectly.
“You look stunning, darling,” Nathan murmured, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back. He looked dashing in his tuxedo, the picture of the successful young CEO.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice smooth. “You’ve done well, Nathan. Everyone is impressed.”
“We’ve done well,” he corrected, clinking his champagne glass against mine. “I couldn’t have done it without you by my side.”
It was almost laughable. He actually believed it. He believed that after everything, we were back to normal. That the trip to Italy he thought we were taking tomorrow had fixed everything.
“Excuse me,” I said, spotting a waiter. “I need some water.”
I slipped away from him, weaving through the crowd. I needed a moment to breathe. I needed to escape the suffocating weight of his lies.
I found a quiet corner near the terrace doors and took a sip of water. From my vantage point, I could see the entire room.
And I saw her.
Danica was there, of course. She was wearing a dress that was a little too short, a little too red, and a little too loud for a corporate event. She was standing by the bar, laughing uproariously with one of the junior partners from the acquiring firm.
She touched his arm. She leaned in close, whispering something in his ear. The man laughed and placed a hand on her waist.
Then, right there in the middle of the room, she kissed him.
It was sloppy and brazen.
I watched, not with jealousy, but with a detached curiosity.
Then I saw Nathan.
He was across the room, talking to his grandfather. But his eyes were glued to the bar. I saw his jaw clench. I saw the vein in his neck throb. He excused himself abruptly, leaving Arthur mid-sentence.
He marched across the room, his stride long and angry. He didn't make a scene—he was too careful for that—but the way he grabbed Danica’s elbow was anything but gentle.
He whispered something in her ear, his face dark. Danica pulled away, looking annoyed. He grabbed her again and steered her toward the side exit that led to the gardens.
I waited a beat, then set my glass down.
I followed them.
The garden was dark, illuminated only by the fairy lights strung in the trees. I stayed in the shadows of the hedges, moving silently on the grass.