Chapter 23
Ava stepped back as Evelyn squared off against her.
They were to the side of the main party hubbub, near the drink station where a few onlookers glanced over every now and then, drawn by the brewing drama.
Ava balanced herself and tried to look innocent as she met Evelyn’s eyes. “What’s the problem? Did I say something that got under your skin? Aren’t you the one who was quick to fool around right after your divorce?”
“Fool around?” Evelyn let out a small laugh, looking over at Caleb who hadn’t said a word, as if she’d just heard the funniest thing ever.
“Me. fooling around? I did nothing of the sort while I was still married.” Evelyn closed in on Ava, her eyes burning with anger. “And for the record, I’m not after any married men. Aron is an old friend – we’re just catching up, nothing sketchy about that. So what’s this nonsense about me fooling around?”
Evelyn almost stepped forward but stopped short when Caleb suddenly moved Ava behind him, shielding her with his body. It was painfully familiar and stirred up feelings Evelyn thought she had buried. She had fooled herself into thinking she had moved on
Her eyes turned icy as she held back tears and took a step back, staring at Ava who was now hiding behind Caleb, playing the
victim to the hilt
“Ava, seriously? You look ridiculous, Evelyn stated flatly.
Seeing Evelyn’s step back, Ava peeked at Caleb, then regained her poise and said, “What’s wrong with how I’m acting, huh? You’ve never liked me, Evelyn-all because Caleb can’t get over me. I get it, okay? No hard feelings.”
Evelyn could only scoff at Ava’s feigned innocence. Sick of the pointless chatter, she felt a strong urge to do something she’d always been accused of but had never actually done before.
Being away in Romaine must have changed her. She had always been the one to keep a level head, to stay away from fights But she’d had enough
With a quick move, Evelyn pushed Caleb aside and delivered a stinging slap to Ava’s cheek. “That’s for all the times you messed with things you shouldn’t. I’m not you and I will never be as low as you, you homewrecker. You of all people should know why I’m here in Romaine,”
Evelyn’s smack caught Ava totally off guard, leaving her stunned for a solid couple of seconds. As the whispers spread, Ava’s face started to burn-not just from the slap, but from sheer embarrassment.
Caleb, having been hoved out of the way, was just as shocked, gaping at Evelyn. It wasn’t until Ava started crying that he snapped out of it. Shooting a cold glare at Aron, who looked like he was getting a kick out of the drama, Caleb barely kept his cool and told Evelyn, That’s way too much, Evelyn.”
“Evelyn, how could you hit me? Who do you think you are?” Ava wailed as Caleb stood up for her, turned on the tears, her face puffing up. She was ashamed, thinking about how she’d completely lost face in front of all these people, and part of her wished she could just tear Evelyn into pieces.
Ava turned on the waterworks, clinging to Caleb and sobbing, looking every bit the picture of a brokenhearted girl.
Evelyn was hardly impressed by Ava’s crying act.
Even while sobbing. Ava shot daggers at her with those spiteful eyes.
In a sugary voice, Ava sobbed to Caleb, Caleb, I just asked a question and she hit me. Make her understand, I didn’t steal
you.”
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