“You okay?” he asks, skimming his thumb along my shoulder.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
“Did you like your surprise?”
I laugh. “Which one?”
“All of them.”
“I loved all of them.” Not a lie. “I just need to run to the restroom before the fireworks. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll wait by the door.”
I hurry off toward a bathroom I know won’t be in use because it’s back in the main portion of the house. As soon asI’m in, I lock the door and take a deep breath. I need to get myself under control because I’m freaking the fuck out inside. What I really need is to talk to Asher about what all this means, but that’s going to have to wait.
I do my business and give myself one more moment alone before I leave the bathroom to rejoin Asher. As I round the corner to head back into the ballroom, I see Conrad, Asher’s uncle.
“Ah, the woman of the moment,” he says, grabbing onto my elbow as I pass by. “What a night for you.”
I yank my arm out of his grasp.
He leans toward me, lowering his voice. “But do remember, Ms. Hale, that this isn’t real. That pendant around your neck will need to be returned. One day, it will adorn the neck of Asher’sactualwife. Someone suitable to his station. I would hate for you to forget that you are merely a PR stunt to keep the press focused on something new and shiny.”
My throat feels clogged as every insecurity I’ve felt today slams into me again at his words. But I refuse to back down to this jerk. He knows nothing of our situation, and neither Asher nor Harrington can stand him. I don’t know why he hates me so much, but he seems to have it out for me. And I’m over it. I square my shoulders and lift my chin, meeting his icy gaze head on.
“And yet the Langford name needed someone new and shiny like me to get that good press. So, doesn’t that prove that your power has limits? And whose face is the one selling products for Langford Holding’s newest acquisition? Whose name is stirring the buzz for this family? Is it yours? Is it Gregory’s or Celeste’s? No, it’s Asher’s and mine. Like it or not, I’ve built my own power. And now my name will be forever attached to this family, even if Asher does end up marrying someone else.”
I don’t know where my brash, confident words come from,but I don’t back down after they’re said. I still feel like I’m faking it half the time, but I refuse to cower to Conrad. Whatever is real or not real with Asher and me is our business, not his uncle’s.
Before he can respond, I storm off, batting away tears that slip free. So much for getting a moment to compose myself.
Asher sees me a second later and straightens when I wipe away a tear. He hurries toward me.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
I want to stand on my own and tell him that nothing happened. I don’t care what his stupid uncle thinks or says, but I just don’t have much fight left in me. Tonight has been so amazing, but it’s also been an emotional roller coaster. This pendant has forced so many worries and questions to the surface, and it’s taken a toll.
“Your uncle, Conrad. He stopped me on the way here and was kind enough to remind me that this is all fake and that I’ll need to return this pendant when it’s over so that you can give it to your actual wife—who will be someone much more suitable to your station.”
Asher freezes and blinks at me. His jaw is locked. “He did not fucking say that to you.”
“He did.”
Asher moves to go after Conrad, but I stop him. “Don’t. He’s not worth it. But . . .” And I hate myself as my chin starts to wobble. “What I don’t know—is if he’s wrong or if he’s right.”
“Ella—”
“There you two are!” Catherine says. “Everyone is outside waiting for the fireworks to start.”
“Give us a minute, Mom.”
“Asher, everyone is wondering where you are and what is causing the delay.”
“I said a minute.”
Catherine gives him a hard look. “Whatever this is, handle it quickly. The press is waiting.”
“It’s okay,” I say, my voice quivering. “We can talk about it later.”
