Chloe looked me up and down with exaggerated curiosity.
“Really, because you seem rather lonely standing here all by yourself?”
I smiled politely.
“I’ve been enjoying the view.”
She glanced toward Manhattan as though the skyline had personally disappointed her.
“How charming,” she murmured.
I waited for her to move along, but she took another small step closer.
“Tell me, are you here with someone?”
I considered the question for a moment.
“Yes.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“Anyone I might know?”
“Possibly,” I answered.
Something cold flickered behind her smile.
“You’re being rather mysterious for someone nobody seems to recognize.”
I could have answered with a dozen explanations, but none seemed necessary.
I had never believed that a stranger was entitled to my personal information simply because she demanded it.
“I’m not trying to be mysterious,” I said.
Chloe gave a little laugh and looked toward the guests who were now openly observing our conversation.
“Well, that’s a relief, because people might start imagining you’re someone important.”
A businessman standing behind her shifted uncomfortably.
I saw Mara pause near the bar with her tray balanced against one hand.
The waitress looked concerned, but she was clearly afraid of interfering.
I kept my voice calm.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being ordinary.”
Chloe’s smile tightened.
“That’s exactly what people say when they don’t have a choice.”
I felt the first unmistakable sting of anger, although I refused to let it control my expression.
There was something particularly ugly about someone mistaking another person’s dignity for an invitation to insult them.
“I hope you’re having a pleasant evening,” I said, turning slightly toward the skyline.
Instead of accepting the polite dismissal, Chloe moved directly into my line of sight.
“Oh, don’t be sensitive, sweetheart.”
“I’m not being sensitive.”
“Then why do you look so uncomfortable?”
I met her eyes.
“Because you’re trying very hard to embarrass me, and I don’t understand why.”
For a brief moment, her expression changed.
I had spoken quietly, but the honesty of the observation seemed to catch her off guard.
Then she laughed.
“Embarrass you?”
Several guests looked away.
“Please, I’m only trying to make conversation.”
I studied the perfectly controlled smile on her face and realized that she wasn’t interested in conversation at all.
She wanted an argument, a display of insecurity, or some desperate attempt to justify my presence at the party.
Any of those reactions would allow her to present herself as the superior woman.
Unfortunately for Chloe, I had spent too many years learning how to recognize cruelty disguised as confidence.
“Then perhaps we should both enjoy the rest of the evening,” I replied.
I could see that my refusal to argue infuriated her.
She glanced toward the VIP lounge, where Julian remained out of sight, before turning toward the gathering crowd.
It was as though she had suddenly decided that humiliating me would be an entertaining way to recover the attention she had lost.
She raised her crystal glass slightly.
“Everyone seems far too serious tonight,” she announced.
A few people laughed nervously.
I felt an uncomfortable sensation settle in my stomach.
Chloe moved closer until the sparkling silver fabric of her gown brushed against my arm.
“You know what I think?” she asked.
I remained silent.
“I think some people need a little reminder that invitations don’t automatically make everyone equal.”
My fingers tightened against the railing.
“Chloe, that’s enough,” a woman near the bar said quietly.
Chloe ignored her.
Her eyes dropped toward my vintage navy gown, and a slow smile spread across her face.
“Oh, that’s a sweet dress,” she remarked.
I looked down at the familiar fabric.
“Thank you.”
“Is it vintage?”
“Yes.”
“How adorable.”
Her tone made the compliment sound like an accusation.
She tilted her head.
“I suppose not everyone can afford something new for an occasion like this.”
A few guests exchanged uneasy glances.
I thought of my mother standing beside me years earlier, patiently fastening the small buttons at the back of the dress.
The fabric had survived birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners, and countless beautiful memories without ever losing its meaning.
For the first time that evening, I genuinely wanted Chloe to leave me alone.
“Excuse me,” I said, preparing to walk around her.
She moved directly into my path.
“Where are you going?”
“Back to enjoying my evening.”
“But we’re having such a lovely conversation.”
I looked directly into her eyes.
“Are we?”
That simple question seemed to strike something fragile beneath her confidence.
Her cheeks flushed, and her grip tightened around the crystal glass.
For a heartbeat, I thought she might throw an insult and walk away.
Instead, she looked toward the VIP lounge once more.
Seguí su mirada y me di cuenta de que estaba esperando a que Julian regresara.
Quizás imaginó que a él le resultaría divertida su crueldad, o quizás pensó que humillar públicamente a otra mujer la haría parecer de alguna manera más poderosa.
En cualquier caso, había elegido a la persona equivocada y el peor momento posible.
—Adelante —dijo Chloe de repente, levantando su copa aún más.
La gente a nuestro alrededor guardó silencio.
“Démosle a todos algo que recordar.”
Vi cómo su muñeca comenzaba a girar.
Al principio, mi mente se negaba a comprender lo que estaba sucediendo porque el movimiento era tan deliberado y tan completamente innecesario.
Entonces vi cómo el cóctel de color rojo oscuro se deslizaba hacia el borde del vaso.
Mara jadeó desde algún lugar detrás de mí.
Instintivamente retrocedí, pero la barandilla de cristal me impidió escapar.
Durante un terrible segundo, Chloe y yo nos miramos fijamente, y vi la inconfundible satisfacción en sus ojos.
Luego inclinó la copa de cristal y vertió todo su contenido sobre la parte delantera del vestido azul marino de mi madre.
