Chapter 21: The White Lotus
VANESSA BELMONT
"Really?" I smirked. "I’d love to see your new necklace."
Hah. That was my precious bauble. The ruby-and-diamond necklace, along with other family jewelry pieces, was stored in the family vault at the old house.
"I’ll show you when Nathan gifts it to me," she bragged. "Probably tonight when we dine at Georgio’s."
Okay, that one hurt. Georgio’s was my favorite restaurant, and Nate knew it. So did Fiona. I didn’t have the emotional armor to hide my reaction, so Fiona knew she’d scored a direct hit. She stood next to the bed and reached out to pat my leg. "You look so pathetic. Did you really have pretend sick to get his attention?"
A sharp pang of betrayal twisted in my chest. Okay, that one hurt. Georgio’s wasn’t just some random restaurant. It was our place. Mine and Nathan’s. Nate knew how much it meant to me.
So did Fiona.
The realization hit me like a physical blow, and I didn’t have the strength—or the emotional armor—to hide my reaction. My breath hitched, my fingers tightening around the edge of the blanket. Fiona’s smirk deepened, her sharp eyes locking onto mine with predatory satisfaction. She knew she’d scored a direct hit.
She stepped closer and put her hand on my leg in a mockery of comfort, her fingers pressing a little too hard. "God, you look so pathetic," she cooed, her voice dripping with faux sympathy. "Did you really have to pretend to be sick just to get his attention?"
I almost choked on my laughter. "Isn’t that your schtick?"
"What is the point of you?" asked Fiona. "Some business-arranged marriage? Nathan could have real happiness with me."