BETTY

BETTY

By the time I make it downstairs the next morning, the house is already alive with chaos.

Vendors swarm the halls like ants, hauling in towering bouquets, glittering balloons, and a massive golden sign declaring “Harriette’s 80th”, its golden metallic shine stabbing at my nerves.

I close my eyes and let out a dramatic sigh, the kind that would make Harriette frown in amusement if she were here.

Another event I don’t want to attend, but one I can’t skip. Not if I want to stay on the good side of the only person in this house who actually likes me.

I tighten my grip on the envelope containing Grace’s permission slip and steel myself.

I head toward Nathaniel’s study, hoping, praying, that he’s in a better mood than yesterday, and I find his door is slightly ajar.

I pause, draw a slow breath, and push it open.

Inside, his chair is empty, and two maids are hovering over dusting shelves and furniture, their movements precise but sharp with irritation.

I clear my throat, and they snap their heads toward me, their faces screaming why the hell are you here?

“I’m looking for Nathaniel,” I blurt, darting my eyes between them.

They exchange glances, one rolling their eyes at me. “He already left,” the other replies, barely looking at me.

I squint, my shoulders slumping, and I let out a huge sigh. “Already? It’s still early…” I mutter under my breath.

The maids ignore me, returning to their dusting as if I were air. I step out, feeling the weight of invisibility settle on me, and stare down at the envelope.

The signature is needed by midday, and failing Grace isn’t an option. My jaw tightens. “Fuck, I have to go see him at his office.”

The thought of going to that office makes my stomach twist, the way it did two years ago when Nathaniel told me that I shouldn’t be seen anywhere near Blackwell Enterprises unless it was an emergency.

Emergency. I never dared test the definition, not until today.

I step into the foyer, where Anders is orchestrating the chaos like a conductor with a short temper, and he spots me instantly.

His spine straightens, arms folding neatly behind him. “Anything I can do for you, ma’am?” he asks, politely but distant.

I offer a small smile and nod. “I need to head into town. Can I have someone drop me off?”

His expression doesn’t budge, but he sighs, slow and irritated. “All the drivers are out.”

I tilt my head and smile at him, all teeth out. “I’ll drive myself then, if you don’t mind.”

That earns me a look. The questioning one. The are you sure you can even handle that? look.

Before he opens his mouth, I cut him off. “Yes, Anders. I can drive, and I’ll be careful. I’ll bring the car back in perfect condition.”

He hesitates, then reaches into his pocket and hands me a set of keys. “You'd better. Those cars are not cheap.”

I scoff with a shrug. “I know, Anders. Thanks.”

I squeeze the keys in my palm and head toward the garage. Only one car remains—the rest are gone, and this one is unmistakably Nathaniel’s favorite.

A sleek, obsidian-black convertible. Low, muscular frame. Chrome edges sharp enough to cut someone. Leather interior that smells like power and privilege.

“Fuck!” I slap my forehead and do a three sixty, fear prickling down my spine.

But then the envelope in my hand catches the light, and I take a deep breath. “For Grace,” I whisper to myself.

I slide into the driver’s seat, breath catching in my throat as I hit the ignition, and the engine roars to life.

I pull out slowly, easing onto the driveway, then the road.

The wind rushes in, sweeping my hair back, and something loosens inside my chest until I find myself smiling, actually smiling. It’s been so long since I felt… free.

I turn on the radio, the music filling the car, and the road opens before me.

Within the hour, the city skyline rises like a wall of glass and steel, and Blackwell Enterprise stands in the middle of it—tall, silver, merciless.

I park right at the entrance, because I won’t be staying long, and I step out.

The glass doors slide open, and the building greets me with its usual chaos. Phones ringing nonstop, and people rushing past with files stacked to their chins.

I head straight for the elevator and press the top-floor button. My heart thuds faster the higher we climb, and by the time the doors open, my pulse is a drumbeat in my ears.

The top floor is different. Quiet. Cold, and the air feels heavier, like money and power and secrets.

I walk slowly, softening the sound of my heels just to make sure there is no attention drawn to me.

Nathaniel’s secretary’s desk is empty, so I look around to see if she is anywhere in sight, but I can’t see her.

I swallow, grip the envelope tighter, and step toward his door, but his voice coming from the other side of the door stops me in my tracks.

He sounds like he is speaking to someone. But I am not sure if someone is in there with him or if he is on the phone.

I turn and look at the secretary’s desk again and sigh. “Where the hell is she? I can’t just stand here like I am lost.”

My eyes sweep the hallway before I turn back to his door, and I’m seconds away from knocking when a woman’s voice floats from inside. I freeze.

Confusion hits me hard, rooting me to the spot, and I don’t know what to do next.

“How could you still be married to her, Nathaniel?” I hear a spiteful female voice ask.

I frown, and curiosity nudges me closer. I don’t mean to listen, God knows I don’t, but I can’t stop myself, so I lean in my ear against the door.

“My marriage to her is complicated,” Nathaniel answers, his voice cold as steel. “I had to. It was either that or lose my place in the family. It was out of obligation.”

My stomach twists violently.

“So she trapped you, right?. And you don’t love her, do you?”

I flinch. Because one thing is for sure is I don’t think I want to hear what comes next.

I want to turn around and get out of there, but somehow, my feet refuse to move. My heart begins to thud in my chest, the silence inside there deafening, but then, I hear him sigh.

“No. I don’t. I could never love anyone as I loved you.”

“What?” I gasp, my hand covering my mouth. My vision blurs, my ears begin to ring, and I feel the hallway begin to tilt.

I stumble back just as a hand touches my arm.

“Mrs. Blackwell? Are you okay?” I turn and find Nathaniel’s secretary looking at me, her face filled with concern.

I stare at her, struggling to breathe, and my throat tightens. “N…no,” I whisper, shoving the envelope into her hands. “Give him this. It’s for Grace. Tell him it must be faxed to the school by midday.”

Before she can respond, I turn and bolt for the elevator, my breath hitching in painful bursts.

BETTY

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in my room, I stare at the silver sequin gown Harriette sent earlier with a note that read, Wear this tonight.

The gown is beautiful, and it’s hugging me in all the right places.

For a moment, I almost don’t recognize myself. My waist looks smaller, my figure elegant, making me look like I belong, but when I lift my gaze to my reflection, the illusion fades.

Even with the makeup, my face looks pale and tired, like I haven’t slept in days. And the truth is, I haven’t. Not since I heard Nathaniel in his office, saying things no wife should ever hear.

I still can’t get his words out of my head, and every time my eyes close, I hear his voice. “I don’t love her. I will never love anyone as i loved you.”

My hands tighten around the edge of the dresser, taking a deep breath, forcing myself to look up at my reflection again.

“I wish I didn’t have to go downstairs,” I mutter out loud to myself.

It’s Harriette’s birthday tonight, and she’s the only reason I still have a place in this family. So no matter how I feel, I have to attend.

I smooth my dress one last time and grab the black and silver masquerade mask from my bedside table. “Just make sure Harriette sees you, then you can slip away,” I tell myself, taking a deep breath.

I put on the mask, tying the ribbons carefully at the back of my head, and somehow, the mask gives me a strange kind of courage. Maybe tonight I can pretend to be someone else.

I step out of the room, and the music and laughter hit me instantly. The house feels alive with gold lights everywhere, soft chatter, and perfume floating through the air.

I walk down the staircase slowly, the hem of my gown brushing the steps, every chandelier sparkling like the night sky.

I keep my head low and head straight for the bar, the only safe place in a room like this.

“Champagne, please,” I tell the bartender quietly, and he nods, sliding me a glass.

The first sip burns a little, but it helps, giving the courage to pretend to admire the room while scanning for Nathaniel.

I spot him near the far wall, surrounded by men in suits, drink in hand, mask perfectly in place.

I turn away quickly and take another sip, hoping, praying he doesn’t notice me. I would appreciate it if he kept his distance tonight because I don’t know what I might say to him when my head is filled with champagne.

“Fuck!” I gasp under my glass when my eyes spot Eleanor striding from the kitchen with a bunch of waiters following her.

She looks stunning, of course, wrapped in diamonds and a navy blue gown, but she has that same cold expression she always wears.

I turn quickly, pretending to order another drink before she can see me, and she passes behind me, leaving a trail of her expensive perfume.

“That was close.” I breathe out slowly, before a small smile tugs my lips. “First win of the night.” I whisper to myself and finish the rest of the drink in one go.

I grab another one, and another, starting to feel a little buzzed, and before I know it, I begin to enjoy myself.

“I can see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” a cold, calculated voice comes from behind me, and I blink dramatically, letting out a frustrated sigh.

Figures. Joy is always short-lived around here.

He grabs my hand, and I turn to face him, his eyes fierce behind the mask.

“I’ve been watching you,” he mocks, leaning forward to make sure no one hears him scold me. “That’s your fifth glass. Planning to get drunk and embarrass us tonight?”

I pull my hand away, my eyes darting around the room. “I’m not drunk, Nathaniel.”

“You better not be.” His tone hardens. “If you make a scene, I swear…”

“What, Nathaniel?” I cut him off, surprising us both. “What could you possibly do that you haven’t already done?”

He blinks, stunned, not expecting me to push back, and his face softens for a split second before hardening again as he clenches his jaw and steps toward me.

“Go back to your room. You already reek of alcohol.”

I shake my head quickly, the bubbles giving me courage I don’t usually have. “I’m here for Harriette. I’m not going anywhere.”

He’s about to say something else when the entire room quiets.

The music fades, conversations stop, and all eyes turn toward the grand entrance.

A woman steps inside. She is tall, beautiful, graceful, and every inch of her is glowing under the chandelier’s light, her red gown flowing behind her like fire.

The crowd parts for her without a word, like she is royalty, and she begins walking towards where Nathaniel and I are standing.

I follow the movement, and when I turn to Nathaniel, his jaw is tight, and his eyes are fixed on her like he’s seen a ghost.

“Amanda?” he breathes.

My heart stops. I know that name.

It’s her. His ex-fiancée. The woman he has refused to let go after all these years.