The banquet hall was a floral wonderland, covered in freshly flown-in blooms from France.
Maeve stood in the center of the crowd, radiant in an elegant designer gown, soaking up the compliments and admiration like a queen basking in her court.
When Maeve spotted Claudine at the entrance, her lips curled slightly. Her face said welcome, but her eyes screamed mockery.
She walked through the crowd and took Claudine’s hand with fake warmth.
“Claudine, I’m so glad you could make it to my birthday,” she said in a sugary voice. “The baby and I are truly grateful,” she added, placing a gentle hand on her belly. Her gaze flicked toward Elliot with a shy smile, like a doting mother waiting for approval.
Before anyone could process what was happening, Elliot stepped up to the mic.
“Tonight isn’t just a celebration of my sister-in-law’s birthday,” he said. “I also have an announcement to make. From now on, all assets of the Graves Corporation will go to the child Maeve is carrying. He or she will be the sole heir to the Graves legacy.”
The room erupted into applause and congratulations.
Elliot stepped off the stage and leaned close to Claudine, whispering in her ear.
“Melvin died saving me. We owe this to Maeve. And let’s be real—you won’t be able to have children, Claudine. This baby is probably the only heir the Graves Family will ever have. But don’t worry, you’ll never have to struggle. I’ll make sure all your needs are taken care of."
But his eyes never left Maeve, who stood glowing at the top of the stairs, soaking in every moment.
That look—so full of love—cut through Claudine like glass.
Of course it hurt. Of course it was the people closest to you who knew exactly where to twist the knife. The wounds they left behind were the deepest. The ones that never quite healed.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Before she could collect herself, Maeve turned to her, beaming.
“We had a little misunderstanding, Claudine and I,” Maeve said to the crowd. “But now that I’m about to be a mother, I understand her emotions better.”
She turned to Claudine, voice syrupy and sweet.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to apologize to me, Claudine? Don’t be shy now. Everyone’s watching. Admitting you were wrong is the first step toward making things right.”
All eyes shifted to her.
“Claudine, you need to apologize,” Elliot said sternly, giving her no way out.
Whispers rippled through the room like wildfire.
“I heard she pushed Maeve down the stairs because she couldn’t handle losing her own baby.”
“God, that’s sick. That poor baby never even had a chance.”
“She’s lucky all she has to do is apologize…”
Claudine caved.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice trembling, her eyes fixed on Elliot—who stood there in silent approval.
But Maeve wasn’t finished.
“You don’t sound very sincere,” she said lightly, with a fake little laugh. “How about you show us how sorry you are? Drink the wine and I’ll consider you forgiven,” She gestured to a long table covered in tiny, gleaming shot glasses—lined up in neat little rows.
Ninety-nine glasses of wine.
Claudine’s eyes bounced between the glasses and Maeve.
This woman had already caused her to lose her baby. Had yanked her down the stairs. And now she wanted her to drink—knowing full well she had alcohol intolerance?
Maeve wasn’t just humiliating her. She was trying to kill her.
Claudine turned to Elliot, praying he would stop this. That he’d finally, finally defend her.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he spoke like she was the one being unreasonable.
“Don’t embarrass her tonight, Claudine. It’s her birthday.”
It felt like a slap.
“But… I’ll die,” she said through clenched teeth, anger flaring in her gut.
“You won’t,” he replied coldly. “Besides, all of this started because of you.”
Claudine let out a bitter laugh. There was no use fighting anymore.
She picked up a glass.
Then another.
And another.
One by one, she downed them like water, her throat burning with each swallow.
The liquor stung like fire.
Her tears mixed with the bitterness, drowning her in shame.
