Chapter 61

Angela POV

I placed my hand in Christopher's, acutely aware of the eyes watching our every move.

As we stepped onto the dance floor, I caught Sean's expression darkening from the corner of my eye. Even with Christina trying to hold his attention, his gaze remained fixed on us.

The string quartet had just begun a slow waltz. Christopher's lead was impeccable, each step flowing naturally into the next. I had to admit, he moved with the kind of grace that came from years of prestigious boarding schools and social training.

"You've changed, Angela," Christopher observed as we moved across the floor. "There's a strength in you now that wasn't there before."

"Life has a way of teaching us what we need to learn," I replied carefully, maintaining the proper distance between us as we turned. I felt the sapphire earrings Sean had given me catch the light, a subtle reminder of the complexities of my situation.

"Indeed it does." His hand at my waist was perfectly proper, yet somehow still managed to convey an intimacy that made me uncomfortable. "Tell me, does it bother you? The way they talk about your marriage?"

My step never faltered, though my pulse quickened slightly. "Which part? The fact that it's a business arrangement, or the speculation about its impending end?"

Christopher's laugh was low and private. "Both, I suppose. Though I must admit, you wear the role of Mrs. Shaw with remarkable grace for someone who knows it's temporary."

"Practice makes perfect," I answered with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. As we turned again, I caught another glimpse of Sean. His jaw was clenched, his posture rigid. Christina stood beside him, her red dress a stark contrast to his black tuxedo, her hand resting possessively on his arm.

"Ah, but is it just a role?" Christopher's fingers brushed against my hair as we completed another turn, the gesture so subtle it might have been accidental. "You've always been more than you appear, Little Angel."

The old nickname struck me like a physical blow. Memories flooded back-his subtle cruelties, the way he'd use that gentle tone while reminding me of my place, his smiles masking contempt as he watched me struggle to fit into Sean's world.

The music drew to a close, and Christopher stepped back with an elegant bow. "Thank you for the dance," he murmured, his eyes holding mine for a moment too long. "We should do this more often."

Before I could respond, Sean's voice cut through the moment. "You and Christopher seem quite comfortable together." His tone was carefully neutral, but I could hear the tension thrumming beneath the surface.

I turned to face him, noting how the perfect knot of his bow tie had somehow come slightly loose. "Do we? How observant of you to notice, considering how busy you've been with Christina."

"At least I haven't danced with Christina tonight," Sean snapped.

I didn't want to argue anymore. The crowded ballroom suddenly felt suffocating, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. I turned and left the ballroom, heading toward the powder room.

I stood before the mirror in the powder room, pressing a cool, damp cloth to the back of my neck.

The evening's tensions had left me feeling slightly lightheaded, though I couldn't be sure if it was the pregnancy or simply the emotional toll of navigating these treacherous social waters.

After leaving the powder room, I decided to take a moment to catch my breath in Christopher's garden. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the stuffiness of the party.

As I walked along the stone path, voices carried from around the corner, making me pause.

"Did you see how she was throwing herself at Christopher?" Jennifer Moore's voice dripped with venom. "Sean hadn't even finished breaking up with her, and she's already moving on to the next rich man."

I froze, realizing with shock that Jennifer was still here despite Sean having thrown her out earlier. Christina's laugh joined in, sharp and mocking.

"What else would you expect from a girl like her?" Christina's voice was thick with disdain. "She's nothing but a gold-digger who got lucky with Sean. And now that he's finally seeing through her act, she's desperately searching for her next target."

"The way she was dancing with Christopher..." another voice chimed in. "Like a born whore. Did you see how close they were?"

"Christopher really is the perfect catch," one of Christina's friends sighed. "I was planning to ask him for a dance tonight. But that bitch Angela stole all his attention!"

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. The rational part of my mind told me to walk away, to not give them the satisfaction of a response. I was tired, and all I wanted was to go home and rest.

But as I turned to leave, my heel caught on a fallen branch, the crack echoing in the quiet garden.

"Well, well," Jennifer's voice turned gleeful. "Look who's been eavesdropping."

I turned to face them, keeping my expression neutral. "Eavesdropping implies I care what you have to say. I was simply taking a walk."

Jennifer stormed toward me, her face contorted with rage. "You think you're so much better than us, don't you?" She reached for my hair, but I stepped back quickly, my hand instinctively moving to protect my stomach.

"Don't touch me," I warned, but she kept coming.

When she grabbed my arm, I reacted without thinking. My heel came down hard on her foot, making her howl in pain. But she didn't let go. Instead, she yanked me forward, her other hand still reaching for my hair.

"Jennifer, stop!" I tried to pull away, increasingly worried about my baby. The struggle grew more intense, with Jennifer pulling and pushing while I tried to protect myself without escalating the violence.

Christina moved closer, presumably to help Jennifer. In the chaos of the moment, she lost her balance on the uneven garden path. I watched in horror as she fell backward, her head connecting with the base of a marble statue with a sickening thud.

The garden went silent except for Christina's pained moan.