Emily exhaled sharply, realizing just how deep and disastrous the damage already was. Regret gnawed at her with every passing second. She should never have come to this banquet with Lucian.
Had she not tried so hard to be the loyal assistant, one desperate not to lose her job or her stipend—all of this misunderstanding could have been avoided.
And now, even if she screamed at the top of her lungs, no one here would believe her.
Her gaze swept across the glittering hall, her heart sank as she caught the piercing stares and questioning glances thrown her way. Every pair of eyes whispered the same belief.
In their eyes, she was Lucian's wife, claimed and owned by him; that was the only truth that mattered.
Emily clenched and unclenched her hand, trying to suppress the growing frustration in her chest.
She knew everyone was watching, and yet she couldn't stop the emotions from bubbling up.
