The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(48)

"Again with the personal questions. Are you obsessed with me, Kelsey? You seem to care an awful lot about what I'm doing. A word of advice, a woman your age should really focus on your own life. Who knows how many years you'll have left," I said.

I heard a collective gasp from the crowd and had a moment of triumph. The crowd had my back. They all knew Kelsey was a grasping, desperate snake.

"You overestimated your charms. Even your fake fiancé, someone you pay to be seen with you, can't stand you. You truly are pathetic. Tell me, did you have to pay Harry to sleep with you too? Is that how you operate?" she said.

There was a smattering of laughter and applause. I felt a flush of heat rush up to my cheeks. I'd never felt so humiliated and excluded before. Could this really be happening? Had they chosen Kelsey Keller over me? I looked over the crowd trying to pick out one friendly face, but all I got was a bloodthirsty crowd looking to be entertained.

The people I thought were my friends were all wolves in sheep's clothing. They didn't have my back. They were only too happy and eager to join in taking me down a peg or two. Sure, they were with me when I was riding high, but when the going got tough, they all scattered off like rats off a sinking ship.

I wondered how I could have been so blind. I'd devoted most of my adult life to building my career and fostering a relationship with these people, and the first sign of something going bad they turned tail and left. It hadn't even been 24 hours, but they could smell the blood in the water. To all intents and purposes, I was washed up. This would be the beginning of the end.




They'd seen it many times before. The press would dig up more secrets and dirty laundry about my past, and pile on until my reputation was destroyed. I'd gotten lucky before with the Kelsey and Harry incident since I could cover that up with the fake engagement. But now that I'd been caught in the scheme, no one would believe anything that I tried to do now.

Charlotte had been right all along. Everyone was just waiting for me to make a misstep until they all pounced. I tucked my tail between my legs and slunk out of the party without another word to anyone. I was humiliated again, and just wanted to curl up and cry.

Everything over the past several months had finally gotten to me and I had reached my breaking point. I was coming to the stark realization that everything I'd built for the last eight years didn't matter. It was just a kingdom made of sand. I had no one I could turn to. Maybe Charlotte was right. I needed to keep a low profile, but where could I go?

My phone buzzed in my purse and I fished it out. I felt a sudden inspiration as I looked at the screen.

"Honey what's going on? What's this I hear about you and that fiancé of yours?" my mother asked, her voice sounding tense with concern.

I smiled for the first time in what felt like an eternity as I realized exactly where I could go. Even though I'd pulled myself away from them, they were still my family and I knew they'd always welcome me with open arms. And that's exactly what I needed right now--unconditional love and support.

"It's a long story, Ma. I'll tell you when I come home," I said.

"When are you coming home?" she asked.

"Tonight."





Chapter 21: Emilia



Since I'd been home, my family had been extra nice to me. They'd lent me an ear when I wanted to vent, and gave me space when I needed it. It touched me that they were so angry on my behalf. My father and brother and uncles were ready to fly to England and hunt Rob down and beat the shit out of him. It was only after some convincing from me and my mom that they relented. Still, I was glad to know they truly had my back.

For the first time in a long time, I realized how truly wonderful they were. It might not have been a perfect, idyllic childhood, but they were my family and I loved them. And most importantly they loved me. No one was perfect. I certainly made more than enough mistakes in the past few months to not throw stones anymore.

Rob had tried to call me nonstop ever since I got back from England. I'd ignored his calls until it got to be too much. I eventually had to get my number changed. Charlotte and Arnie even told me he went to see them to try to find out where I was. They tried to convince me to give him another chance, and finish out our agreement, but I wasn't listening. There was no way in hell I'd put myself through that again, regardless of the fall out.

The papers ran story after story about that night at his parent's party. They had details on how Rob had been flirting with his ex all night, and how guests had seen them leave the party together looking very cozy. Rob had come back in a while later with his jacket off, looking a bit disheveled. The insinuation was that they'd had a quickie out in the gardens.

I hated the way my heart sank as I soaked up every word and detail. And the worst part was that I could believe every word because that's exactly what I witnessed with my own eyes. It hurt me more than I wanted to admit.

I sent the engagement ring back to Rob shortly after the disastrous Black and White ball. Just looking at it and having it on my finger was a painful reminder of what had happened. Even though it was a fake engagement, I still felt like he had betrayed me.

Being at home gave me some time to contemplate the direction of my life. It was weird how everything had come full circle. Here I was sitting in my old bedroom, the one I swore I'd never sleep in again after I left for my first modeling shoot in Paris. Back then, I just knew I'd make it big and could leave all this behind.