The night air was crisp as Chelsea stepped out of the elevator onto the rooftop lounge.
She wore a simple black slip dress she had bought from a thrift store. It looked inexpensive, but the thin fabric clung perfectly to the curves of her hips and waist.
Cason was pacing near the entrance. The moment he saw her, his face lit up with desperate relief.
He rushed forward and pulled her into a crushing hug, ignoring the stares of the wealthy socialites milling around the bar.
"I thought you wouldn't come," Cason breathed into her hair.
Chelsea stiffened her spine. She cast her eyes downward, playing the role of the intimidated outsider perfectly.
"I shouldn't be here, Cason," she whispered.
Cason grabbed her hand. "You belong with me."
He pulled her through the crowd and into the center VIP booth. A group of his old college friends sat around a table covered in expensive champagne bottles.
A blonde woman dripping in diamonds stared at Chelsea. Her eyes narrowed in recognition.
The blonde covered her mouth and let out a loud, theatrical gasp.
"Oh my god," the blonde said, her voice carrying over the music. "Aren't you that psycho girl who faked a suicide attempt at the frat house five years ago?"
The music seemed to stop. The air in the VIP section turned to ice. A dozen pairs of judgmental eyes locked onto Chelsea.
Chelsea immediately dropped her gaze to the floor. Her shoulders began to shake. She dug her fingernails into her palms, forcing herself to look utterly humiliated and broken.
Cason slammed his champagne glass down on the glass table. The crystal shattered.
"Shut your mouth, Amanda!" Cason roared. "Apologize to her right now!"
Before the blonde could respond, the crowd surrounding the VIP area suddenly parted like the Red Sea.
Jackson Brooks walked through the gap.
He wore a dark grey, subtly pinstriped suit. He radiated a dark, suffocating energy that instantly silenced the entire lounge.
Jackson didn't look at Cason. His cold, dead eyes locked onto Chelsea's face like a sniper finding his target.
Cason immediately stepped in front of Chelsea, shielding her with his body.
Ignoring Chelsea's frantic tugs on his jacket, Cason reached over and grabbed the DJ's microphone from the nearby stand.
"Listen up!" Cason's voice echoed through the massive speakers, bouncing off the surrounding skyscrapers.
Every head in the lounge turned.
"Chelsea Perez is my girlfriend," Cason declared loudly, his voice vibrating with protective fury. "And anyone who dares to disrespect her is disrespecting me, Cason Brooks. If anyone here makes her feel unwelcome today, I will personally ensure you never set foot in another high-end establishment in this city again!"
A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the rooftop.
Jackson picked up a glass of whiskey from a passing waiter's tray. He swirled the amber liquid, the ice clinking loudly in the quiet night. A cruel, razor-sharp smile touched his lips.
He took slow, deliberate steps until he was standing toe-to-toe with his brother.
"A touching display of loyalty, Cason," Jackson said, his voice low but carrying perfectly. "But are you really going to wage war on your own social circle over a used-up whore who fakes pregnancies for a living?"
Cason let out a guttural scream. He lunged forward and grabbed Jackson by the lapels of his suit.
Chelsea let out a high-pitched shriek. She grabbed Cason's arm, pulling at his sleeve.
"Cason, stop! Please!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Jackson didn't even try to break Cason's grip. He just stared over Cason's shoulder, his eyes fixed on Chelsea's crying face. His expression was a terrifying mix of absolute disgust and uncontrollable, violent obsession.
Security guards rushed in from all sides. They grabbed Cason's arms, dragging him backward.
The VIP section erupted into chaos. Glasses smashed. People shouted.
Using the distraction, Chelsea let go of Cason. She lowered her head and slipped backward, disappearing into the panicked crowd.
She power-walked down the long, dimly lit hallway leading away from the party. She pushed open the heavy door to the women's restroom.
She walked to the marble sink and turned on the cold water. She splashed her face, washing away the fake tears. She looked up at the mirror. Her eyes were dead, cold, and calculating.
She reached for a paper towel.
