"Oh, my God, who's the woman on Hansel Ward's arm?!"
The whispers started the moment we stepped out of the car, and I had to resist the urge to turn around and climb right back in.
The flashes from the cameras were blinding as Hansel guided me toward the red carpet with his hand firm on my lower back.
I'd woken up this morning to find a garment bag hanging from my bedroom door and a note from him: "Be ready by 8 PM." We're attending the DOE Foundation Fundraiser. This isn't optional.
When I'd stormed into the living room to protest, because who the hell did he think he was, ordering me around like I was his property, he'd barely looked up from his laptop before reminding me in that cold, bored voice of his that I'd said I would do anything to keep a roof over my head.
"This is anything," he'd said. "Unless you'd prefer to leave?"
I hadn't preferred to leave.
So here I was, stuffed into a designer dress, trying not to trip in these uncomfortable heels, while approximately a thousand cameras documented every awkward step I took.
"Smile," Hansel murmured beside me, his own face transforming into a magazine-cover grin.
I tried to smile.
I swear, I really did, but my face felt frozen, my lips stretched into what I am sure looked more like a grimace than anything remotely photogenic.
"Are you suffering from shock?" Hansel growled, though he was still smiling for the cameras. "For fuck's sake, Naya, don't smile like that. Smile like a woman with grace and fine breeding."
"Shouldn't you have seen to that lesson?" I retorted through clenched teeth.
If he wanted grace and fine breeding, maybe he should have found himself a different date.
"Mr Ward! Mr Ward!" the paparazzi pressed the low gates that served as their barrier around the edge of the red carpet. "Who is the woman beside you?"
"Are you officially debuting a relationship?"
"What are your thoughts on the claim made by the Rothwood family about your family's involvement in the recent missing person's case? Is this your response to the allegations?"
All around us, several questions were thrown at Hansel, disorienting me. I felt like I was drowning in the flashing lights and sound. If not for Hansel's firm hand on my back, somehow grounding me, I would have bolted.
On his part, he kept smiling, moving us forward, and didn't answer a single question.
The moment we stepped off the carpet and into the quiet of the venue's entrance, he turned to me with something that almost looked like concern crossing his face.
"Are you alright? Do you need to sit down for a moment? You're shaking."
I laughed nervously. "How do you handle all of that? I was ready to run away. I've never, I mean, my mom did events like this all the time, but she never brought me. She wanted me to have a normal life, you know? So, I've never actually been to something like this before. The cameras, the questions, everything…"
"Naya." He cut me off, his voice dropping back into that cold, commanding tone. "I need you at your best behavior this evening. I will not have you disgrace me. Understand?"
And just like that, any warmth I thought I'd seen evaporated completely. Of course, for a second there, I'd actually thought he was being kind. But he didn't want his date to make him look stupid in front of all these important people.
"Fine," I said flatly. "I'll be on my best behaviour, Mr Ward."
The host greeted Hansel warmly, only giving me a fleeting glance before he turned back to Hansel, exchanging pleasantries.
A server glided past with a tray of champagne flutes, and I reached out automatically to grab one for myself when Hansel's hand shot out and pulled my arm back.
"Are you a drunkard?" he hissed quietly, so that the host who was now regarding me with curiosity couldn't hear. "We just got here and you want to start drinking?"
"That's what they do in the movies," I protested, feeling my cheeks heat with embarrassment. "I only want to calm my nerves."
"By getting drunk?" Hansel glared at me. "Don't make a talkative, Naya. I've talked more since I met you than I have in my lifetime. Please… behave yourself. "
"Fine," I didn't want to argue. "I won't drink, at least not yet."
"Try to mingle with the women," he said, his attention already drifting away from me and toward a group of men in expensive suits across the room. "Look for me occasionally in the crowd so it seems we're actually together. And please, for the love of God, try not to embarrass me."
He didn't even wait for a response; he turned and left me. I stood there awkwardly for a moment, suddenly aware of the eyes on me.
Most of the women in the hall were glaring at me. I could see their gazes assessing everything I had on, probably trying to figure out who the hell I was and what I was doing on Hansel Ward's arm.
I looked around for Hansel, hoping maybe he'd notice my discomfort and come back, but he was already deep in conversation with those men.
Not knowing what else to do, I crossed the room and positioned myself against the farthest part, almost in the shadows. If I had to be here, at least I could be here quietly. Here in the shadows, I wouldn't accidentally do something to embarrass him.
"Well, well, well," a voice came from behind me. "If it isn't my dear stepsister."
I closed my eyes briefly, sucking in a deep breath before turning around.
Isabella stood there looking radiant despite her supposed terminal illness, wearing a pale pink gown that made her look angelic and fragile.
"Isabella," I said flatly. "What a surprise."
"Is it though?" she moved closer. "I mean, this is exactly the kind of event someone like you should never be in. But look at you, trying to climb the social ladder of Luxford city by sleeping with a Ward? Really, Naya? I knew you were desperate after Caleb chose me, but I didn't think you were prostitute-level desperate."
Knowing who Isabella is, arguments with her always end up messy. So I decided to be the bigger person.
"Mind your business and leave me alone."
"Oh, I'm making it my business when my poor sister is humiliating herself publicly…"
I started to turn when she reached out and grabbed my purse out of my hand. The sudden act caught me off guard.
"Give that back," I snapped, instinctively reaching out, but as I reached for her, she stumbled backwards and fell.
As she was falling, she screamed, suddenly bringing to a halt every conversation in the room, except for the quiet music playing in the background.
Every single person was staring at me now, and at my stepsister, who was on the floor, crying.
"What are you doing?" I hissed through gritted teeth.
Isabella just looked up at me with huge, tear-filled eyes and increased her sobbing.
"I'm sorry!" she cried out. "I know you feel cheated, but it's not my fault! I begged Caleb not to cancel your wedding to marry me. After all, I only have six months to live!"
I opened my mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. "What? No, I—you just grabbed my purse and—" I scoffed loudly. "Seriously, Isablla. Why are you acting like this? You came at me first."
"Please, Naya!" She grabbed my leg this time around, settling into a kneeling position. "Please, I beg you! You're my sister! A man should never come between us! Fine, I'll divorce him and disappear. Please don't hate me. Not in my final months."
I was too stunned to move or process what was happening. This was insane. I turned to scan the hall, hoping to find one sympathetic face, but all I saw was disgust. They all hated me.
"Bella," my stepmom pushed through the crowd and knelt next to Isabella, trying to pry her hands from my leg. "Darling, you need to save your strength.
Then she turned to me. "Haven't you done enough, Naya?" she snapped. "You stole Caleb from her in the beginning, but she was generous enough to let you date him for three years. And now that he realises where his heart truly lies, you still won't let them be happy?"
"Wait—what?" I choked. "That's not how it happened—"
"I knew there was something about her," a woman stepped out of the crowd. "Coming in here with Hansel Ward like you're somebody when you're a homewrecker trying to destroy a dying woman's last chance at happiness."
"She should be ashamed of herself—"
Before I knew it, insults were hurled at me from every corner for a crime I didn't commit. Someone must have notified security because two burly men appeared.
"Ma'am, we're going to need you to come with us."
"Me?" I looked around the crowd, desperately searching for Hansel. "I've done nothing wrong; this is all a huge misunderstanding."
They ignored me. One of them grabbed my wrist, and the other grabbed my arm as they tried to drag me towards the exit.
I could feel my eyes filling up with tears again at the assault. Where the hell was Hansel? Has he abandoned me, too?
Suddenly, from somewhere behind me, a deep, commanding voice rang out.
"Let the girl go."