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But I don’t need that.
Not tonight.
This is my night.
I lift my chin, facing them head-on.
“Funny,” I say smoothly, swirling the champagne in my glass. “I don’t recall any of you being invited to show here.”
Ashley snorts. “Oh, please. We all know how this works, Megan. Some of us will spend years refining our technique, networking, grinding to make a name for ourselves?—”
“And some of us just have actual talent,” I cut in, voice razor-sharp. “Which is why my work is hanging in this exhibit, and yours isn’t.”
Ashley visibly stiffens, her face twisting into an ugly sneer.
Rachel nudges her, whispering something under her breath, but I catch the tail end of it—something about me being ‘hood trash’ who got lucky.
“You know what’s really sad?” I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “I actually used to think you all had something I didn’t—some secret advantage. But now I see it.”
I step closer, pointing my finger at them but lowering my voice just enough to make sure they hang onto every word.
“You’re all just bitter as hell that I made it here before you.”
The tension crackles between us, thick and hot.
Ashley opens her mouth to respond but suddenly hesitates.
Her gaze flickers —to my hand.
To my engagement ring.
A flawless diamond, catching the soft gallery light.
Rachel’s eyes widen slightly, too. “Shit,” she murmurs under her breath. “That’s actually stunning.”
Before I can respond, Ashley whips her head toward Rachel, eyes blazing.
“Are you serious right now?” she snaps. “Are you actually complimentingher?”
Rachel shrinks slightly, caught between her own admiration and Ashley’s disapproval. “I mean… I’m just saying. It’s a gorgeous ring.”
Ashley glares daggers at her, her lips twisting with fury. “Yeah, it’s stunning—because it cost a damn fortune, and she probably worked super hard on her hands and knees for it.”
A few months ago, a sexual dig like that would have gutted me, but instead, I simply tilt my head with a smirk and watch the bitch unravel.
Ashley hates this.
She hates that I’m not intimidated.
She hates that I made it here first.
But most of all, she hates that she’s losing control of the narrative.
She spent so long pretending she was better than me. And now?
Now, she has to face the truth.
I give her a slow, satisfied smile. “Jealousy isn’t a great look on you, Ashley. In fact, you’ve never looked uglier.”