Cynthia Stephens had been a dignified woman her entire life. She'd probably never had her reputation dragged through the mud like this.
"Candice, I know long-distance relationships are hard, but you can't just—"
I realized no amount of explaining would fix this.
So I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.
I'd barely punched in 9-1 when Claude snatched it from my hand.
"Don't make a scene on our big day. I believe you, okay? Isn't that enough?"
"The engagement ceremony's about to start. Calling the cops over something this trivial? Bad luck."
I stared at him, my head buzzing like a hive of angry bees.
Ever since Emma appeared a year ago, I'd sensed Claude pulling away. He didn't cling to me the way he used to. When I got into that minor car accident in Alderhaven, he'd barely shown concern.
I'd told myself it was normal. Relationships cool down over time. The spark fades.
But now I saw the truth: it wasn't that he'd stopped caring. He'd just found someone else to protect.
"Are you worried the police will ruin our engagement—" I forced my voice steady, "—or are you afraid they'll arrest the person spreading these lies?"
I shoved down the hurt clawing at my chest and wrenched my arm free when Claude tried to grab me.
"Candice, I—"
Before he could finish, Emma burst into theatrical sobs.
"I'm sorry! This is all my fault!" She wailed, tears streaming. "Please, Mrs. Stephens-to-be, don't fight with Mr. Stephens because of me! There are so many business partners here—think about how he'll face his clients if you cause a scene!"
She hiccupped, dabbing at her eyes. "I got her mixed up with someone else, okay? I was talking nonsense. There. Happy now?"
I almost laughed.
She's good. Playing the victim while twisting the knife.
Everyone in that room had heard her insinuations. They all thought I'd been selling myself overseas.
If I didn't clear this up today, Claude would be the one walking around with a target on his back—the man whose fiancée made porn.
I clenched my jaw and fixed Emma with a cold smile.
"I don't care what your angle is or why you pulled this little stunt."
"You're going to explain yourself. Now. Or I won't be polite about it."
Emma's face went white.
Then the waterworks intensified, her whole body trembling like a leaf in a storm.
"I already said I was wrong! What more do you want from me?"
"That account's been deleted anyway. I'm not showing anyone the videos I saved."
"Please—" Her voice cracked. "Don't use your position as the future lady of the house to fire me..."
"I'll get on my knees and apologize if that's what it takes!"
She made a show of starting to kneel, her legs bending dramatically—
Until someone caught her.
Claude steadied Emma and shoved past me so hard I stumbled.
When he turned, his expression had gone cold. The look in his eyes wasn't frustration anymore.
It was hatred.
"Candice, are you done?"
His voice was ice. "I've been patient. More than patient. Even if you had a lapse in judgment and made those videos, I was willing to look the other way!"
"So why do you have to keep pushing? Why are you standing here bullying her?"
I couldn't breathe.
My heart felt like it was being crushed in a vise.
This man—the one who'd consumed a third of my life, who'd gotten down on one knee an hour ago and promised me forever—
He didn't believe me.
So what was the point of any of this?
"Fine." My voice came out hollow. "If we can't settle this here, we'll settle it at the police station."
I reached past Claude, trying to pull Emma out from behind him.
She shrieked like a rabbit caught in a snare, thrashing and sobbing.
"Mr. Stephens! Mr. Stephens, save me! She's going to kill me!"
