[Powder Room]
Olivia stood before the mirror and the warm golden lights above her caught the glint of her earrings.
Her reflection was perfect, every hair in place, every line of her makeup untouched and yet she looked like she could shatter the glass just by breathing too hard.
She then placed her clutch on the counter with a loud shard thud.
"Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath with her voice shaking with restrained fury.
Her fingers dug into the edge of the marble. "In front of everyone."
The way Alexander had spoken to her in public had cut far deeper than if he had shouted.
He had dismissed her again.
Her reflection blurred slightly as her eyes hardened. "The audacity—" she whispered. "Talking to me like that."
And to make things worse, Benjamin hadn't defended her.
Her nails pressed against her palm as she replayed Benjamin's words.
That tone and cold amusement reminded her that she would never truly be his equal, neither in name nor in respect.
