Megan’s POV
Chapter 80
The adrenaline didn’t leave my body until we were halfway down the drive.
I didn’t say much after the fight. Elijah didn’t push.
He just drove.
The quiet between us wasn’t awkward. It was steady. Like he was holding space for me.”
When we reached the apartment, he parked but didn’t get out. Just waited. Like he knew I needed the first word.
I sat still, staring out the windshield. “She snapped. Over the rumor.“”
The silence settled between us.
“Did you know the article was coming?” I said, breaking the dead air.
Elijah exhaled, slow. “I didn’t. But I know who planted it.“\
I looked at him then.
He met my gaze. “Jane. It was her.”
The words didn’t surprise me. But hearing them confirmed left a cold pit in my chest.”
“She wanted to destabilize you,” he said. “And it worked on Mellan instead.”
And now she’s hosting a gala,” he muttered, scrolling through the press release on his phone.”
‘Cross Foundation to Host Gala in Support of Women’s Legal Empowerment‘
The irony made me sick.
“She’s trying to reframe the narrative,” Elijah added. “Their family’s falling apart. She’s hoping a public reset will make people forget.”
I looked out the window, heart beating slow and cold. “Then I guess I’ll have to remind them.””
My chest burned. “They tried to have me assaulted.”
“And now they want to be applauded for ‘supporting women.”
I looked out the window again. The city lights blurred behind the film on the glass.
I’d spent so long playing the part they wrote for me. The dutiful wife, quiet sister, the forgettable twin.”
But I wasn’t forgotten anymore.”
I turned back to Elijah. “I’m going.”
His brow rose. “To the gala?“}
“Yes.”
“You weren’t invited.“[
“I don’t need an invitation.”[
-E
I arrived late.
On purpose.[
Jane’s PR team had outdone themselves.\
The ballroom was dripping in silver and navy. Cameras lined the velvet ropes. Staff moved like chess pieces across the floor. And Jane stood at the center of it all, looking flawless, polished, and glowing under the lights.
“This is going to be the comeback of the year,” she murmured to herself as the press snapped photos of her beside a custom sign that read:/
“Empowering Women Through Legal Support”
Hypocrisy had never looked this glamorous.
Mellan arrived shortly after. She wore white but her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her clutch. Her eyes darted, searching the crowd.
Jaxon arrived, alone. Hair slicked back. Face unreadable.
“Smile,” Jane hissed as she walked by him. “And stay close to Mellan. We’re reclaiming control tonight.“}
Until I stepped through the front doors.
Cameras snapped. Conversations dropped. People turned slowly, like watching a ripple on still water.” Jane froze. Mellan’s glass tilted in her hand. Jaxon’s mouth twitched at the corner.”
didn’t stop walking.
切
I didn’t smile.
I just walked straight toward her.”
Jane saw me approaching and stiffened. Then she recovered too quickly.”
“Megan,” she said, the voice of a practiced hostess. “How wonderful of you to attend. I didn’t expect to see you tonight.“”
I stopped three steps from her. “You should’ve.“”
“Oh?” Her smile strained. “Why’s that?”
“Because it takes real nerve to host an event for women’s empowerment right after orchestrating a smear campaign to humiliate another woman. And not just any woman but your own sister–in–law.“”
The smile cracked. The cameras tilted.
Jane’s eyes narrowed. “You’re making a scene.”
“I’m making a point,” I said, louder this time. “To every donor and every guest here. That while you sip champagne and pose for applause, you’re the one leaking fake stories to the press to destroy a woman who simply wanted out of your toxic little dynasty.”
Gasps.
Click.
Mellan was halfway across the room, wine glass in hand, eyes wide.
Jane stepped in closer. “You don’t know what you’re doing.“}
I met her gaze dead–on. “No, Jane. For once, I do. I’m telling the truth and I’m letting the room decide who they believe.”
A few claps started in the back. Some were startled. Some were smug.
Jane turned, desperate to salvage it when Mellan stormed forward.
“She’s lying!” Mellan cried. “She’s twisting everything! She always plays the victim!”
She came fast, her white gown a beacon under the lights.
I didn’t flinch. I didn’t speak.
I didn’t have to.
Because as she turned sharply to face the crowd with arms raised and voice rising, her heel caught the edge of a lighting cable, hidden under the stage riser.
She stumbled.[
Her foot slid.
And the left strap of her designer dress snapped.
It slipped. Hard. Fast. Exposing far more than it was ever meant to
She shrieked.!
The flashbulbs went wild.
One photographer actually gasped.
Mellan clutched her dress to her chest and spun, humiliated, screaming at no one in particular.
Jane’s mouth fell open.
Her golden moment crumbled into chaos in ten seconds flat.\
And I?
I simply stepped back and let the silence say everything.
