The party continued after the gift reveal. Mark was busy mingling with potential business partners. He hadn't asked her about the gift yet.
Clarisse, unable to bear the snickering and the cold stares from the other women, had quietly slipped away.
Lyvana stood alone by the tall windows, a glass of champagne in her hand.
Tonight had gone better than she expected.
She had even made a few new friends.
A memory surfaced from her previous life. After the disaster gift, she had been walking towards the entrance with her head down, feeling ashamed.
Then someone — she never saw who — had stretched out a foot tripping her.
She had stumbled straight into a passing waiter.
She remembered the sound of breaking glass. She remembered the cold champagne soaking her dress.
And the sound of laughter.
The cruelest memory of all was Mark's voice cutting through the room.
"Clumsy fool."
"You look like you're plotting a coup," a voice whispered behind her.
