Chapter 2

Sebastian gave a cold, humorless laugh, his face dark and ugly.

I couldn't care less how his face looked. He was the one who'd insisted on inviting me, so he should have known what he was getting.

The fact that I was even sitting here drinking his liquor was more than he deserved. He could go light incense in thanks.

There was nothing gentle or pleasant between the two of us.

The girl waved a hand, breaking the standoff. "Let the music and dancing begin. Let's not dwell on these unhappy things."

The dinner picked up into a lively hum.

The champagne tower stacked high in front of me.

I picked a color that looked pleasant enough and drank it.

"That one's harsh and bitter. Why don't you try this instead, sister?"

The girl poured me a glass. "Try this one, sister. Sebastian loves this. You mix in a bit of this, and this, and also—"

She tilted her head, glancing at Sebastian for help.

I couldn't be bothered to look at him. I reached for the Fendi.

The girl looked a little surprised. "Yes, that's it! How did you know, sister? Sebastian likes it that way too. He says it's very sweet. I've never tried it. You should, sister."

That was the drink I'd mixed five years ago.

Sebastian had wanted something sweet, so I'd mixed it for him.

And it wasn't sweet.

It was bitter.

Because Sebastian didn't deserve sweet.

"Sister, are you married?"

"I am."

She froze for a second, clearly not believing it.

"Sister, do you know who Sebastian's fiancée is? Tell me, if she found out I'm pregnant…"

I smiled and pointed at the champagne tower in front of me. "She'd shove you straight into that."

"What kind of person is she?"

I had no idea what she was getting at, but I still humored her with an answer. "Obviously, a bad one."

"Then what if she—"

She kept chirping away beside me, question after question.

I was getting annoyed.

I pressed my lips together over the drink and looked at her, out of patience.

"If she knew you were sitting here playing dumb while you understand perfectly well, she'd slap you across the face."

She smiled, innocent, dimples deep.

This was the first time we'd met, and I could tell she was a clever girl.

And yet here she was, playing the fool.

"Sister, I don't understand."

At last, the final thread of my patience wore through.

I flipped the table in front of me. "If you don't understand, then go die."