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."

me do you even know who he

head slightly. "And if

say you're dumber

had been spoiled, adored, shielded from

if she could already see the cracks forming beneath my

don't belong in his world." She leaned forward slightly, voice lowering into something almost gentle. "Be smart about this. Pack your things

held my

stick around just long enough to

I said nothing.

really-what was there

on my heel, ready to

But she moved faster.

reached for my wrist, her grip delicate but insistent. Without thinking, I pulled back. I hadn't even used

And yet-

heels slipping against the polished

glasses down in a

restaurant seemed

could hear was the sharp ring

switch had

arrogant

tears welling in her wide, delicate

she whispered, voice trembling,