Celia’s face twisted as if someone had struck her across it.
Her lips trembled. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to swallow the scream burning in her throat.
And then—
She snapped.
“So what if I called you to the hotel?” she burst out. “So what if I took some photographs? That doesn’t give you the right to humiliate me like this!”
Her voice echoed through the room.
“You were supposed to sign the deal with my dad! And now you’re acting like this—embarrassing me in front of her?” She pointed sharply at Sophia. “How can you do this to me?”
Her eyes were red with fury.
“I’m the one you love! Don’t you remember that?”
Magnus stared at her.
“When the hell did I ever tell you that I love you?” he demanded.
Celia let out a sharp laugh.
“Everyone in college knew it! You were always around me. I was the only girl close to you. Of course you loved me. Everyone said so!”
“Fuck college!” Magnus exploded.
He ran a hand roughly through his hair, his face dark with rage.
“I don’t give a damn what people said!” he roared. “I never cared about rumors. You were my classmate. That’s all.”
His voice dropped lower, colder.
“I saw through you from the very first time we met. I stopped being friends with you first. I had already cut you off, you crazy woman!”
His eyes burned.
“What fantasy are you living in?”
Celia folded her arms across her chest arrogantly, lifting her chin.
“Oh please,” she said with pride. “You just thought I would come running back to you. Beg you to be friends again. Maybe even accept your proposal.”
Her lips curled.
“But I don’t chase men. You didn’t expect that, did you? Did I hurt your ego?”
Her eyes glittered with arrogance.
“You expected me to beg. And when I didn’t, you couldn’t handle it. That’s why you refused my dad’s deal. That’s why you’re tormenting me. You just want me to confess that I’m in love with you.”
For a moment—
Magnus was speechless.
His hand went to his forehead as if he physically couldn’t process what she was saying.
He let out a sharp breath of disbelief.
