Her body tensed, so I continued, “If not, then you’re one level beneath me. Oh wait—let me correct myself. Ten levels beneath, because I doubt Raphael even considers you a friend.”
Colette’s entire demeanor snapped. Her grip on my arm faltered, and for the first time, the composed mask cracked. The rage behind her gaze was raw, burning.
I did not see it coming until it was too late.
Splash.
The rich red wine soaked into my dress, staining the fabric like blood. A gasp rippled through the crowd. Before I could react, Colette shoved me—hard.
The world tilted. My back collided against the cold, unforgiving wall, pain exploding along my spine. A sharp gasp escaped my lips as the impact sent a ringing through my ears.
The room fell into stunned silence before the whispers began.
“What do you mean, Nadine?!” Colette’s voice rang out, feigning shock, twisting the narrative in her favor.
Her eyes darted around, taking in the growing audience, her mind already crafting a new scene—one where she was the victim, and I was the villain.
She placed a trembling hand over her chest, her voice dropping into something delicate, almost wounded.
“Why are you showing off your intimate relationship with Raphael? I know we’re friends, but isn’t that something you should keep private?”
Oh, she was good.
I was still catching my breath, still reeling from the force of her shove, when the murmurs spread like wildfire.
“Intimate? Wait… does that mean Nadine just slept with Raphael?”
“No wonder she was missing all night.”
“But isn’t that a bit much? Flaunting it in front of Colette? Poor girl.”
“Colette and Raphael are basically destined for each other. Their families have known each other forever.”
“Did Nadine do it on purpose? To challenge Colette?”
“I mean, I’ve had fun with my boyfriend, but I wouldn’t go around announcing it to the world.”
“Maybe Parisians think differently.”
At that moment, the cold sensation of wine also clinging to my skin sent a sharp shiver through me.
The deep red liquid seeped into my white blouse, darkening the fabric and making it translucent, exposing the lace outline of my black bra beneath.
Gasps and hushed whispers rippled through the crowd as people drew closer, their amusement turning into fascination, their mockery shifting into something more sinister.
"What a scene," someone murmured.
"Does she have no shame?"
"I bet she did it on purpose to seduce Raphael."
I gritted my teeth, the humiliation clawing at me like a beast, but I refused to let it consume me.
I slowly tried to push myself up, ignoring the way my legs trembled, the sharp ache in my back from the impact against the wall.
And then, a sharp, ugly expression flickered across Colette’s face.
For someone who had just staged a spectacle, she did not seem pleased by how it had turned out.
Still, she played her part flawlessly. Large, crocodile tears welled in her eyes as she let her voice break in feigned betrayal.
"Nadine, you know my feelings for Raphael, but why...?"
She sniffled, her delicate hands clenching over her chest as though she were the true victim in this scene.
The murmurs grew louder.
"Poor Colette… how could Nadine do this to her?"
"She was already humiliated, and yet she still flaunts that she had Raphael?"
"Disgusting. So shameless."
Just as I forced myself onto my feet, ready to end this ridiculous performance, a voice cut through the noise like a whip.
“What the hell are you all looking at? Focus on your own damn business!”
The authority in his tone silenced the crowd instantly.
I turned my head just in time to see Raphael, his sharp jaw clenched in fury, his piercing gaze sweeping over the gathered audience like a predator assessing its prey.
His steps were swift and controlled. Without hesitation, he reached for me, his hands firm yet gentle as he gripped my arms.
“Let me help you.”
Before I could protest, he had already pulled me up, his touch grounding me against the spinning dizziness of my emotions.
Then, in a move that stunned everyone, Raphael peeled off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, shielding my soaked blouse from prying eyes.
The warmth of his body still clung to the fabric, a stark contrast to the icy humiliation I had just endured.
For a brief second, I looked past him—at Colette.
She was not jealous.
No, her expression was something far worse. Satisfaction.
She stepped closer, her voice laced with innocent regret. "Raph, sorry... I only wanted to hold Nadine’s hand and talk to her, but she rejected me, and the wine—accidentally spilled."
Raphael turned to her, his expression darkening like a brewing storm.
"Then can you explain why she fell?" His voice was lethal.
Colette’s lips parted, but nothing came out.
For the first time, she looked small and weak, like a child caught in a lie.
