Page 57

“And I branded it.”

“Well, it’s a shit fucking design.”

There’s a gasp from somewhere, and it breaks through the toxic bubble that Celine and I have created around each other. I’m not sure why the noise has such an impact on me, but I find myself turning toward it.

Standing behind me is an angel dressed in a cobalt blue dress, hair gracefully fluttering past her shoulders and a look of absolute pain marring her heart-shaped face.

Verity?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

VERITY

Istart to push through the crowd with a little more force now, that sense of earlier dread returning full force.

“That’s bullshit. You’ve made me suffer for ten years.”

The man’s voice rings home.

But what could he possibly be doing here?

I finally slip into an empty pocket of space and take in the scene before me. I am ninety percent sure the man with his back turned to me is Cullen. A petite blonde stands next to him. When she turns to tug on his shirtsleeve, I realize it’s Bridget Vaughn. Before them both is none other than Celine.

I recognize that look on her face. It’s the one she had when she found out Alice forgot to back up her design files and we lost a month’s worth of progress on the LaVelle website branding. She threw her coffee cup at the wall and fired Alice on the spot before forcing us all to work that weekend to make up for it.

“Fuck you,” Celine spits at the man.

“Now who’s the immature one?” he taunts.

“Get out of here, Cullen!” Her voice rises, drawing the attention of people who had been happily enjoying the party.

Cullen’s name barely registers as my fight-or-flight response kicks in and propels me forward. Whatever is happening, it is not good, and I need to get my boss out of here before everything we’ve worked on implodes.

“I have every right to be here. I sold the damn place.”

“And I branded it.”

“Well, it’s a shit fucking design.”

The hateful words punch me in the chest, and I can’t stop the gasp from leaving my lips in response.

The nightmare becomes reality as the man turns around, and I’m met with eyes that once showed me such kindness and love but are now filled with malice.

It takes Cullen a second, but I see the moment he registers me before him.

“Ver—”

“Ms. Delute.” I cut him off, spurring into action and throwing my body between them. “Jenna has a man she would like you to speak with about a contract opportunity.” I place a hand on Celine’s shoulder and attempt to guide her away.

Her feet stick to the ground, lips pressed in a thin line as her hateful eyes stay locked on the man who is supposed to be my new boyfriend.

“Please,” I whisper. “Before this escalates any further and Mr. Kelton becomes aware.”

Those words seem to finally get through, and she allows me to begin steering her away. My head is spinning, but I try to keep myself focused as I weave us through the crowds.

That was definitely Cullen.

But why the hell was he in a shouting match with Celine?