After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 64

I never expected Nina to come looking for me.

The restaurant was crowded that evening, the warm glow of the overhead lights casting soft reflections on the polished wooden tables. I barely looked at her when I set down the dish, just another customer in the endless stream of faces I served every day.

"Enjoy your meal," I said, the words automatic, practiced.

But then she spoke.

"You're Cecilia?"

The way she said my name sent a slow chill through me.

I turned my head, finally meeting her gaze.

She was watching me, appraising me like I was something cheap on a store shelf, something barely worth a glance, let alone her attention. Her perfectly manicured fingers toyed with the stem of her wine glass, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

Then, she let out a soft laugh-sharp, disdainful.

"Do you even have more than a hundred dollars on you right now?" Her voice dripped with mockery. "Where the hell did you crawl out from, huh?"

I didn't react.

I just looked at her, my expression giving nothing away.

She smirked, tapping a nail against the glass. "Two years by Pax's side. You must be good at playing your cards."

you even know who he

head slightly.

"Then I'd say

their golden boy. The one who had been spoiled, adored,

amusement, as if she could already see the cracks

don't belong in his world." She leaned forward slightly, voice lowering into something

held my ground.

widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Or you'll stick around just long

I said nothing.

really-what was

my

But she moved faster.

from her seat and reached for my wrist, her grip delicate but insistent. Without thinking,

And yet-

heels slipping against the polished floor, her

glasses

entire restaurant seemed

a moment, all I could hear was the sharp ring of broken ceramic

switch

sharp, arrogant

expression crumpled, tears welling

she whispered, voice