His chest heaved violently, his ragged voice laced with anguish.
"Ten years! I held you in my heart like the moon in the sky—untouchable, sacred. I couldn't bring myself to lay a finger on you because I thought you were pure. Precious!"
"And this is how you repay me?"
I stared at his contorted face and let out a bitter laugh.
"The moon in the sky? Claude, if you ever truly cared about me, why didn't you believe a single word I said? Not once."
"You didn't even bother to verify if the video was real or fake before deciding I was filthy?"
"Did it never occur to you that it could be an AI face-swap?"
Emma's shrill voice cut me off.
"Mr. Stephens put you on a pedestal, and this is how you treat him?"
"The evidence is right there! What, is he supposed to gaslight himself into believing you're innocent?"
I didn't waste another breath on her.
I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.
"Emma, spreading rumors might only cost you an apology. But creating and distributing deepfake pornography? That's detention and fines at minimum. Prison time at worst."
"If you want to dig your own grave, I'll hand you the shovel."
Emma's face went chalk-white. She clutched her stomach and shrieked.
"Ah! My stomach... don't push me!"
She threw herself backward, slamming into the champagne tower behind her.
Crash!
The crystal pyramid collapsed in an instant—glass exploding outward, champagne flooding the floor in a glittering cascade.
"Emma!"
Claude's eyes blazed red with panic. He lunged to shield her, then whirled around and shoved me hard.
I didn't see it coming. My legs buckled and I crashed to the ground.
Several jagged shards of glass drove deep into my palm. Blood welled up instantly.
Claude's gaze flicked to my bleeding hand. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes—a reflex of concern.
It vanished just as quickly. He looked away, his voice turning harder.
"Save the victim act. Candice, I must have been blind. You make me sick."
"Don't think you're irreplaceable. Plenty of women would kill to be with me."
"I don't want you anymore. Get out."
Whispers rose around us like vultures circling carrion, every word dripping with contempt.
"Always knew there was something off about her. Finally showing her true colors."
"Mr. Stephens is right to dump her. Shameless tramp—she's disgraced her entire family line."
"Disgusting. She deserves to be thrown out like trash."
Mrs. Stephens closed her eyes. When she opened them again, only exhaustion and disappointment remained.
She shook her head slowly, released a weary sigh, and turned back to her seat. She didn't even offer me a hand.
A hotel attendant approached cautiously.
"Mr. Stephens, should we still have the officiant proceed with the engagement ceremony?"
Claude's answer came out like a roar of defiance. "Yes! Why the hell wouldn't we?!"
He grabbed Emma's hand and announced to the room:
"Today, Emma and I are getting engaged!"
Emma's eyes flew wide, her face alight with barely contained euphoria.
She nestled into Claude's arms, sobbing softly—just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"Mr. Stephens... you really mean it? You'll give me and our baby a proper title?"
The blood in my veins turned to ice. I stared at Claude, shock stealing my breath.
"You... slept with her? She's pregnant?"
Claude's jaw clenched so tight the muscles jumped beneath his skin.
"Yes. So what? You get to whore around overseas, but I can't find a decent woman?"
He pulled Emma closer, right in front of me.
"At least Emma is clean. At least she's pure—which is more than I can say for you."
He jabbed a finger toward two security guards by the entrance.
"Throw this piece of trash out. Don't let her contaminate my engagement party."
The guards moved in and grabbed my arms.
I struggled to lift my head, my eyes locking onto Claude's. A hollow smile twisted my lips.
"Before you throw me out, Claude, I have one question."
I pointed at Emma, still basking in her moment of triumph.
"Did you know she has HIV?"
The words dropped like a bomb. The ballroom went deathly silent.
