“I love you too.” She smiles. “Now go get the witch.”
With Gus in her hands, she and Myra head back the way we came.
Facing forward, I stand taller, stealing a quick glance up at Asher and Dean, who look so damn attractive in their custom suits—an easy thing to tell when the waist fits like a glove. They don’t fit like that straight off the rack. But I’m not surprised the guys have a closet of custom suits. They’re Dean and Asher Kensington after all … and I’m their girl.
The announcer waves us over, and I swallow hard, trying to force any remaining nerves down. But the only thing that’s really going to make me feel better is getting this over with.
The noise from the mingling, the orchestra, and the dancing is already overwhelming, but as we step out of the shadows, strolling past the balcony, the full room comes into view, and bile builds in my throat.
That’s a lot of people …
Eyes already flock to us, latching on and refusing to let go as we stride to the top of the staircase, stopping and positioning ourselves to face the crowd.
With Dean and Asher standing guard at my sides, I feel truly bulletproof. This is it—a moment years in the making.
Adrianna doesn’t see me yet, but I see her, standing in the center of the dance floor with Everett in her arms.
Couples spin round and round the dance floor, but as the announcer clears his throat in the mic, they slow, turning to us, including the two lovebirds of the evening.
Adrianna’s stare locks on to me immediately, and it takes a moment for her to recognize me. She blinks rapidly, like she’s unsure if what she’s seeing is real.
Everett’s expression is similar, disappointment and anger in his stare as he looks at his sons. But he has no idea what’s coming.
“Presenting Mr. Dean and Asher Kensington, sons of Elizabeth and Everett Kensington.”
Here it comes. The castle is finally going to crumble.
Ever so slightly, Adrianna shakes her head side to side, and for the first time in my life, I see real fear in her gaze. My lips tip up into a smile as the power between us shifts into my hands.
She mouths something, but I don’t care enough to decipher it. That ship has sailed.
The announcer continues, “They’re accompanying Ms. Cirella … Chamberlain, daughter of Kristina and Patrick Chamberlain, stepdaughter of Adrianna Chamberlain.”
And the curtain Adrianna has held to shield me from this world finally falls.
The room is dead silent for a split second as my dad’s old colleagues and associates process what they heard. But that silence abruptly ends as gasps ripple through the audience, whispers and murmurs like a windstorm tearing through the room.
Dean, Asher, and I take our first step down the staircase, and with each one, I feel Adrianna’s control over me disappearing more and more.
I am Cirella Chamberlain. Taking control of my name and my life is my right. I have the power now, not my stepmother. Her crown has been made of gold-coated lies, and mine is true and pure.
Everett steps back, away from her, shock wreaking havoc on him as he stares forward, watching me and his sons descend thestairs with widened eyes and parted lips. He knew my father and this is all a grand surprise to him.
Adrianna stands frozen by his side, but I can see the unbridled panic taking over, the quick rise and fall of her shoulders. She’s crumbling …finally.
My dad might not have loved attending parties and events held by the high society in Evermore, but he still did his part, showing enough face to keep the vultures at bay. They may not know the name Cirella, but they certainly know the name Chamberlain. My dad’s legacy speaks for itself, no matter how much Adrianna erased of it.
This room will throw her to the wolves once the truth is accepted, protecting the unknown daughter of their friend over a gold-digging stranger. They may question my legitimacy, but it’s easily proven with my birth certificate, my face that shares resemblance to my dad, and even my blood. She is losing this battle.
It might have taken me far too long to take control back, but I’m finally doing it, once and for all.
“Doing okay?” Dean whispers, and I nod, feeling more powerful than I ever have.
The gossiping crowd parts like a roaring sea as we reach the floor, leaving a perfect path toward Everett and Adrianna, who are watching us grow closer with terror in their eyes, each for different reasons.
Everett’s probably concerned his sons are here to ruin his event, making up some story about a secret Chamberlain daughter, but he has no idea what’s really coming.
Something shifts over Everett’s face as we approach, the distance between us dwindling to mere feet.
