Chapter 6
Natalie’s expression dropped when she heard Belly’s words.
gh, is Ms. Kessler still upset with me about last time? Maybe I should step out and let you to have some space.”
Natalie was about to leave, but Hugh quickly grabbed her arm and shot Kelly a disapproving, Innic
“She was just trying to be nice, Kel. You used to love animals, don’t you? just take it,” he said.
Seeing the book in his eyes, Kelly clenched her Ests by her sides.
She turned to Ben. “Mr. Fawkes, I’m in heels, could you take the dog for me?”
The people around them started making biting comments about Kelly being hard to handle and ungrateful
Thinking Kelly was purposely making things difficult for Natalie again, Hugh’s expression darkened as he led Natale into the inner hall.
Before long, most of the others had filtered out, leaving Kelly alone. She poured herself a glass of water and took a few sips, slowly calming the tension inside her.
She used to love dogs. Five years ago, Hugh had been burning with fever on a stormy night during a blackout She’d rushed out into the pouring rain, only to be chased down by a neighbor’s dog.
It had sunk its teeth into her calf, tearing out a chunk of flesh. Even through the pain, she pushed herself to get to the doctor. She made sure Hugh was looked after before she finalh went to treat herself.
She’d developed a deep fear of dogs ever since. But she’d never told Hugh about it, never wanting to burden him. Even now, she could feel the old scar under her dress.
The guests at the party were quick to go with the flow. As soon as they noticed High’s attitude toward Kelly, they made no effort to hide their rudeness toward her. When the time came for the celebration, the crowd gathered around Natalie, practically treating her like the guest of honor. Once Hugh’s anger finally cooled off, he called Kelly over to blow out the candles.
She stepped up without saving
g a word, about to make her wish when Natale suddenly squealed excitedly.
“Oh, what a coincidence! Ms. Kessler, you and Kelsey share the same birthday. How about celebrating together?”
The crowd stifled their laughter behind their hands.
Kelly could see the sarcasm in Natalie’s eyes, and her nails dug into her palms.
She took a slow breath, then coldly said, “In that case, let Kelsey blow out the candles. You can all sing “Happy Birthday‘ to her. I won’t be in the way”
Hugh’s veins bulged on his forehead when he saw Kelly about to leave.
“Kel! This party’s for you. Do you know how bad it’s going to look if you walk out now?” he snapped.
Kelly didn’t even look at him as she walked toward the door.
At his breaking point, Hugh caught up with her, grabbed her arm, and whispered something in her ear before steering her back toward the cake.
“Cut it out. Everyone here is in our circle. Word’s going to get to my family if you leave now. They’ll be even more against us.”
Against them? What was there to be against? Hadn’t he already married Natalie?
The melody of Happy Birthday rang out around them, light and cheery. Kelly forced a tense salle, standing stiftly, her face drainedd of joy.
Out of nowhere, someone grabbed Kelsey and shoved it into Kelly’s arms, Goosebumps prickled across her skin. Halfway through the song, Kelsey wiggled free and jumped oft
It slammed into the towering champagne pyramid, sending it crashing down and tumbling toward Kelly and Natalie Screams filled the air. The glasses tell so last they blurred in
She watched as Hugh shielded Natalie, pulling her out of harm’s way, while glass and champagne rained down on herself. Shards cut into her pale shoulder, leaving long, bleeding gashes. Blood trickled down, turning her drenched white dress into a red mess
Kelly crumpled to the floor, a pained cry escaping as cold sweat beaded her forehead. Hugh spun around at the sound to find she was hurt. He was about to move toward her, bur then Natalie screamed
“Kelsey scratched me, Hugh! Do you think I could get rabies?“”
Hugh glanced at the tiny scratch on Natalie’s ankle, hesitated briefly, then turned to Ben. “Take Kel to the hospital to have her wound treated”
With that, he quickly took off with Natalie, and the guests started filing out behind them. They couldn’t help but throw a few labs at Kelly as they left. “Kelsey Kelly_Ms. Ashworth trally knows how to pick names, huh? Seriously, doesn’t someone here look like a lost puppy with nowhere to go?” “Hey, leave Kelsey out of this! She’s a sweetheart! A nobody trying to punch above their weight can’t even come close to Kelsey!”
Kelly heard every word loud and clear. She caught a glimpse of how disheveled she looked, and her nose started to tingle as the tears welled up.
The birthday sign wobbled and fell, landing right before her she picked it up, and finally, once everyone had left, she let herself cry. That was how miserable the last day of her 23rd year ended up being
