Page 130 of Tears of Ink

His face drops. “I would have liked to dance with you in that dress,” he says. I meet his eyes to ask him what he means, but Jennifer is on the small stage at the end of the ballroom calling for everyone’s attention with the clink of two champagne flutes.

“Thank you everyone for joining us.”

There’s a murmur of responses. She looks regal up there in floor-length black. Small gems glitter across the full skirt of her gown. I’m sure her gaze rests on me for a moment, on my hand on Eli’s chest with my giant diamond sparking under the lights.

That reminds me, I need to discuss the ring with him again.

“What a glorious evening this has been. The brain child of my wonderful and talented son, Elijah.” There’s a cheer for Elijah and my pool of pride doubles in size. “To realise he’s been hiding this talent all these years, keeping his gift a secret.” She shakes out her honey hair. “That all changes tonight. I’m proud to announce the Fairclough Trust for Art and Design. The first recipient of which will be our own Faith Hitchin, the leader of this year’s event.” There is absolutely no mistaking her emphasis on this.

I glance up at Eli. His face is a mask. Closed and empty.

Jennifer continues as I give a small wave to all the people who have craned their necks to get a look at me. “Tonight, we are not just celebrating the end of a wonderful event, one of which I’m so proud to be involved with.” Is she kidding me? I turn to roll my eyes at Eli, but his face is a little on the green side, strained. There’s a pulse thudding along the golden skin of his throat. I lean a little closer to ask him if he feels ill. Maybe he’s got what Tabitha has? Jennifer is still chiming her clear-cut tones into the microphone. “Elijah, my darling. Sienna, Sweetheart. Come up here so everyone can see you.”

“Elijah, darling, shall we?” A vision in red steps between us. It’s her. I’ll see you both at the ball…

Why is she being called up onto stage? It should be me…unless…

Oh, God.

He’s lied.

The world tilts.

My hands fall to my sides and I look into his face.

Those blues that have taken me apart and made me change everything stare back at me with fathomless depths.

“I’m sorry.” The words fall from his lips, but I don’t really register them. Two words. I’m sorry.

Jennifer is still trilling away. “We are so delighted to re-announce the engagement of Elijah and Sienna. What a stunning couple they make and we know the timing is perfect this time for the happy couple.”

I stumble back. My heart splinters.

I can’t stop looking at him though. The liar. The traitor.

He lied to me.

How long has this been fact? Him and her?

I smooth my dress, breathing in deep.

More fool me.

Sienna links her arm through his, just like I did last night out in the garden, and I watch as they take to the stage and Jennifer air-kisses them. Eli is smiling, waving at the crowd.

It’s like I don’t exist.

Like this has all been nothing.

I step away, my chest labouring as I try to breathe. My heart cracks and aches until I want to stop breathing.

I’ve let another man hurt me.

The red glimmer of my glass heart catches my eye. Fuck, how foolish have I been? Did I think this was a fairy tale? Did I really believe in a prince on a white horse?

I know better.

In three steps, I’m next to the heart. My own is pounding and squeezing.