Ronald had thought she would calm down after a few days. Instead, she'd given him blow after blow--and now, she added a slap to the list.
It didn't hurt, but under the gaze of over a hundred onlookers, her unapologetic strike shattered every ounce of poise he'd worn like armor.
"Cecilia, have you lost your damn mind? It's time to get back to your real life!" Ronald ground out, fingers vise-locking around her wrist.
She twisted free, stumbling back against the wall. Her vodka-hazed gaze slid to Nick's still-unconscious form sprawled on the floor.
"This is my life," she slurred, lip curling. "Unlike you, still choking on your own pathetic delusions."
Ronald's laugh could've flash-frozen the room. "OH? THIS IS YOUR LIFE?"
He jabbed a finger at her disheveled state.
"Half-naked and blackout drunk with some random junkie--" His voice shattered into a roar.
"Since when do you get a vote?" Cecilia fired back, each word a scalpel.
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU NOW?"
Ronald froze.
The Cecilia he knew--the one raised in penthouse ballrooms and Swiss finishing schools--would've eviscerated him with a six-syllable insult.
Not this...this vulgarity.
Nick, still sprawled on the floor, burst out laughing. "Goddamn," he wheezed. "She really does go for the throat."
"Ron." Gia materialized, threading her arm through Ronald's like a claim stake. "They're waiting."
Cecilia didn't even spare her a look. Instead, she flicked a finger at Nick.
He sprang up, dusting off his jacket with exaggerated servitude. "M'lady," he crooned, offering his arm. "The night is young, and so, tragically, am I. Shall we?"
"Permission granted," Cecilia muttered, pressing her hand to her pounding head.
She glanced at the nosy crowd that hadn't yet dispersed--no doubt tomorrow's headlines would be deliciously scandalous.
Cecilia Martin--freshly married--seen drinking and cavorting with a lover, only to run into her ex...
But she didn't care anymore. There were fewer and fewer things in this world that were worth caring about.
She'd made it three steps when Ronald's voice cut through the noise--quiet, raw, and finally honest,
"Cici, there's one thing I meant with all my heart." Ronald's voice came almost like a whisper, as if he were speaking to himself. "I wanted to marry you. Not for gain. Not for show. I meant it."
Cecilia lowered her head. Her shoulders began to tremble.
Nick frowned, not understanding.
The way her shoulders shook...Was she crying?
Suddenly, she raised her head--laughing uncontrollably, as if she couldn't stop.
"Hahaha--"
She found that statement--that statement--more absurd than anything she'd ever heard.
When she finally turned to face Ronald, her eyes were bright with cruel amusement.
"I'm just curious--how do you say something like that while standing next to your new girl?" she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"Ronald, you wrote yourself a good script. HELL, you even cast the roles perfectly. Too bad you're a TERRIBLE ACTOR. One slip, and your whole act falls apart."
"Cici--"
"Do you know what they say about whores and players?" Cecilia swept her hand slowly through the space between him and Gia. "A match made in hell."
"CECILIA!" Gia roared, eyes blazing with fury. Her clenched fists betrayed her urge to strike back, to rip that smug face apart.
But Cecilia didn't care. She turned away with a smile, not sparing another word.
Ronald stood in silence, watching her figure disappear into the crowd.
***
Outside the bar, the city's neon lights shimmered, casting a dizzying glow in Cecilia's eyes.
The world spun--brilliant, chaotic.
Nick hailed a cab, pulled open the door, and gently shoved her in. "Fare's covered. Just tell the driver where you're going."
Cecilia stared at him, dazed, the alcohol clearly rushing to her head.
She watched his mouth move, slowly, deliberately. But what was he saying?
Nick frowned. Was she seriously zoning out again after all that drama?
Suddenly, Cecilia reached out and clung to his arm, her lips curling into a sly smile. "What kind of gentleman leaves a lady alone under this beautiful night?"
Nick stiffened. "What the--"
"Sir, take us to Peninsula hotel," she said sweetly--then yanked him into the cab with her, her grin turning dangerously mischievous.
Nick looked utterly stunned, instinctively shielding himself. "Wh-what are you trying to do?"
"Have sex with you..." Cecilia murmured as she slumped into his chest, completely still.
Nick froze, hands raised in surrender. He didn't dare move a muscle.
Then--his phone buzzed.
With one wary glance at the unconscious woman beside him, he reached for it and answered.
"You on your way back?" Liam's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.
"Bro, your girl's got a real talent for drama. She doesn't say much--but when she does? Damn."
A pause. "Explain."
"Just get to the Peninsula. You'll see."
Liam ended the call, staring out his penthouse window at the blur of people hurrying below.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, he let the curtain fall.
A black Cayenne tore down the rain-damp streets, tires slicing through puddles and spraying water in its wake.