He sat there, drink in hand, swirling a glass of whiskey with the carelessness of a man who had nowhere better to be. Women draped themselves around him like ornaments.
Wealth, excess, indulgence. So this was all it amounted to.
Through the noise and the laughter, I heard someone speak up. "Jesse, that Adela Sullivan of yours — you're still not tired of her?"
My breath caught. I stood frozen, waiting for Jesse's answer.
What came next sent me plunging into ice water. Every word chilled me to the bone.
"Pretty face, killer body. An absolute ten. Tell me you wouldn't do the same."
"Only problem is, she's been getting ideas lately. Keeps pushing me for a ring, for a title. Real buzzkill."
Laughter erupted through the room. When it died down, Hudson Simmons shook his head with a sneer. "That's your own fault, man. You put her on too high a pedestal. No wonder she started getting delusional."
"She's an actress, Jesse. An actress. And she thought she could become Mrs. Swanson?" He let out a scoff. "Honestly, dumping her right after you had your fun was the smartest move you've ever made. Just wait. She'll figure out where she stands soon enough, and she'll come crawling back on her knees, begging like a dog."
My head was ringing. Whatever came after that, I couldn't hear anymore.
Nora caught me before my legs gave out. Her eyes were bloodshot, murderous. "These pieces of garbage — how dare they talk about you like that!"
Just then, a waiter passed by carrying a tray of bottles.
Before I could react, Nora snatched one off the tray and kicked the door open so hard it slammed against the wall. "Swanson! I've never seen a man as pathetic as you! Get out here and face me!"
Every trust-fund prince inside flinched. Hudson Simmons shot to his feet, his voice laced with menace.
"Who the hell are you, barging in here screaming?"
"One phone call. That's all it takes, and you'll be at the bottom of Victoria Harbor feeding the fish."
The moment I heard how brazen he was, my own heartbreak didn't matter anymore. I stepped into the room and planted myself in front of Nora. "She's my friend. If you want to settle a score, Mr. Simmons, you can take it up with me."
Seeing me appear, Hudson went still for a beat. Then a slow, amused grin spread across his face, and he kicked Jesse's leg. "Hey, Jesse. What did I tell you? You've spoiled this woman so rotten she doesn't know her place anymore. You gonna handle this, or what?"
Every person in the room set down their drinks, their cards, their phones. All eyes turned to us, waiting for the show.
I looked straight at Jesse. I was waiting too.
A long silence passed before he finally lifted his head.
The lights in the room were dim. I couldn't make out his expression. All I heard was his voice, level and unhurried, without a trace of anger.
"This isn't a place for you."
"Addie, go home."
He knew. He knew I'd heard every word. And still he could say Addie like nothing had happened.
He really was the same as always. Perfectly composed. Every inch the well-bred heir.
I closed my eyes and forced the tears back. Then I turned toward him and bowed, deep and deliberate.
"Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Swanson. I know my place now. You have my word — Adela Sullivan will never appear before you again or be an eyesore to you."
I grabbed Nora, who was still refusing to leave, and pulled her out of that room.
The second we stepped outside the club, a swarm of reporters descended. They'd been waiting.
Camera flashes erupted in the darkness, one after another, so relentless I could barely keep my eyes open.
Microphones were shoved in my face, the questions sharper than knives, each one more cutting than the last. The one they kept circling back to was how it felt to be abandoned by Jesse Swanson on my wedding day.
I pushed Nora into a corner behind me, shielding her, then reached for a handful of the microphones. My voice rang out, clear and unwavering.
"The wedding was nothing but a rumor. Mr. Swanson and I have parted ways amicably. This relationship was always me reaching above my station."
"And I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to my fans. I, Adela Sullivan, have decided to retire from acting and withdraw from the Harbor City entertainment industry indefinitely."
