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."

even know who

tilted my head slightly. "And if

scoffed. "Then I'd say you're dumber than you

The one who had been spoiled, adored, shielded from the real

if she could

his world." She leaned forward slightly, voice lowering into something almost gentle. "Be smart about

held my

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

I said nothing.

was there

I turned on my heel, ready to walk

But she moved faster.

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

And yet-

staggered, heels slipping against the polished

and glasses down in a cascading

entire restaurant seemed

I could hear was the sharp ring

a switch had flipped-Nina

sharp, arrogant woman from

welling

whispered, voice trembling,