Chapter 5
ELODIE’S POV—
My hands shook so badly I could barely find the tiny buckle on Carmela’s heel strap. I tried to steady them, tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it was useless. Two hot tears slipped down my cheeks, falling to the ground.
And just as I reached forward, pain shot through me.
I screamed. Carmela had stomped her stiletto heel onto my fingers, pinning them down. Gasps tore through the hall. My cry echoed against the high ceiling as agony spread like fire through my hand. I whimpered, curling in on myself, clutching my throbbing fingers to my chest.
“Elodie!” Calhoun’s voice snapped, alarm flashing across his face. He moved instinctively, but before he could reach me, Carmela collapsed into his arms, her fake tears pouring like a performance she had rehearsed her whole life.
“Oh, Calhoun!” she sobbed, pressing her face into his chest. “I didn’t mean to...honestly, it was an accident. My heel slipped. If Elodie feels wronged, I can always go down on my knees and beg for her forgiveness.”
Those words knocked my breath from me. I sobbed quietly, clutching my bleeding fingers. Pain twisted every nerve, coldness creeping into my body as though my soul were draining out of me. My knees shook.
But instead of defending me, Calhoun exhaled heavily, his face hardening as he stroked Carmela’s hair. “Never mind, Carmela. It was a mistake. I’m sure Elodie understands.”
His words hollowed me out. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. It felt like something inside me had shattered beyond repair. Was this what breaking truly felt like? I wondered if I would ever be whole again after what he had done to me. Tears blurred my vision as Carmela peeked out from his chest, her lips curling into a wicked smirk only I could see.
Calhoun wrapped a possessive hand around her waist, ready to guide her away, but she dug her heels stubbornly into the floor and whined, “Wait. I have something else, Calhoun. A collar I designed. I want Elodie to try it on for everyone.”
My blood turned to ice. Calhoun stiffened, a flicker of shock flashing across his face before a deep frown settled there.
“Carmela—” he started, but she stroked his arm gently, her voice saccharine.