The gown Rosalie currently wore was no ordinary boutique find; it was a custom masterpiece Hugh had commissioned from an elite designer a year ago, specifically tailored for Kaitlin's frame.
During its creation, he had been obsessed, checking in with the designer every other day to oversee everything from the silhouette's taper to the exact geometry of the gemstone embellishments.
At the time, he had vowed to give Kaitlin a wedding that would spark envy in everyone who saw it-yet here was that same promise, draped over Rosalie's shoulders.
"I'm so sorry... I had no idea. I just found it gorgeous and wanted to put it on. I'm so sorry, Hugh," Rosalie stammered with a faux-apologetic air, though the look she shot Kaitlin was pure, concentrated venom.
The slight was entirely calculated; Rosalie had never moved past the humiliation of being rejected by Hugh years ago while he was pursuing Kaitlin.
Now, she wasn't content with simply wearing Kaitlin's wedding dress and being with her fiance-she intended to destroy Kaitlin's life altogether, turn everyone against her, and leave her with nothing at all.
Hugh's expression turned stone-cold. "I gave her permission, Kaitlin. You're on your way out of Pioneer Group, so stop clinging to the past. If you're going to come here and harass Rosalie, then don't expect me to be polite. Apologize to her. Now."
Roughly seizing Kaitlin's wrist, he yanked her forward until she was forced to stand face-to-face with Rosalie.
Meeting his furious glare without blinking, Kaitlin realized that once the rose-tinted glasses were gone, Hugh didn't deserve a single ounce of her affection.
"I'll give her an apology, but only after I've finished one more task."
She brushed past them and requested a pair of heavy fabric scissors from the startled clerk.
Gripping the shears, she stepped back toward the couple, a chillingly faint smile touching her lips.
Before either could move to stop her, she drove the blades through the silk, slicing the intricate patterns right down the middle.
In a matter of seconds, the multi-million dollar masterpiece was reduced to nothing more than expensive scrap fabric.
As she looked at them, Kaitlin's face showed none of the heartbreak of the past-only the cold, hard edges of a woman who was finally done.
The sharp, metallic snap of the shears finally broke the stunned silence, jolting Rosalie back to reality.
Shaking violently, she let out a piercing scream, her face losing all color as she threw herself into Hugh's arms. "Do something! She's lost her mind!"
Hugh's features twisted with fury; he stepped in front of Rosalie to shield her and shoved Kaitlin.
Nearby, the bridal shop staff watched in paralyzed terror; they had been the ones to hand over the scissors, and they were already panicking about whether they'd be held financially responsible for the ruined gown.
Kaitlin stumbled back from the force of the shove and she began to lose her balance.
She instinctively braced for a painful impact with the floor, but instead felt a firm, warm hand catch her by the waist and pull her upright.
"It seems my timing is impeccable. This is quite the performance," Andrew remarked, his tone laced with dark amusement. "Honestly, Kaitlin, I had no idea your standards were so low. You actually settled for a man like that?"
Andrew was a man who commanded respect, and while his ties to Kaitlin had once been strictly professional, their new personal alliance meant he wouldn't stand by while another man dragged her through the mud.
Kaitlin blinked, her long lashes fluttering as she breathed out a soft, "Thank you."
Hugh tightened his grip on Rosalie, his face contorted with rage. "So, it's you, Mr. Evans. Let's get one thing straight. Rosalie is the love of my life. Kaitlin is just a manipulative gold-digger who plays games to get ahead. You'd be wise to keep your distance unless you want her clinging to you."
Though Kaitlin had heard his insults a thousand times, the cruelty of his words still managed to sting.
Letting out a dry, bitter laugh, she looked at Hugh with the cold detachment one might show a stranger. "I'm sorry for the mess I made. But truly, you two are a perfect match-a man with zero discernment and a woman who is utterly repulsive. I hope you enjoy spending the rest of your lives together."
Andrew arched an eyebrow, a mocking smirk playing on his lips as he piled on. "Wait, I seem to recall a headline about a Miss Douglas being publicly rejected and left in tears. My memory must be failing me-surely you aren't the same woman who crawled her way into Kaitlin's position as the 'other woman'?"
