Chapter 3 - The Kiss on the Jaw
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That night at the charity gala, while I was speaking to one of Brad’s father’s primary business partners, Vanessa had walked straight across the ballroom floor.
She didn't hesitate. She didn't acknowledge my presence. She placed her manicured hand directly on Brad’s chest, rose slightly onto her toes, and kissed the corner of his jaw.
Not the air beside his cheek. His actual skin.
Brad froze. He did not kiss her back—that specific detail became his primary defense later. But he did not step away from her either. He stood there, holding his scotch, allowing her hand to rest over his heart while four hundred people watched.
I set my champagne flute down on a passing server’s tray and walked over.
“Vanessa,” I said, keeping my voice steady.
Vanessa turned around slowly, a faint, mocking smile touching her painted lips. “Oh, hello, Kate. Don't worry, Brad and I were just reminiscing about old times in Palo Alto.”
I pointed lightly toward Brad’s jaw, where a faint smudge of red lipstick remained. “You have something on your face, Brad.”
Brad flushed, quickly pulling a linen handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his cheek. “Kate, don't make a scene. Vanessa was just saying congratulations on our engagement.”
“Is that what that was?” I looked directly into Vanessa’s eyes. “Because where I come from, kissing another woman’s fiancé on the mouth in public isn't a congratulation. It’s a territorial mark.”
Vanessa chuckled, taking a slow sip of her wine. “Darling, if I wanted to mark Brad, you’d know it. We have ten years of history together. You have… what? A studio Brad pays the rent for?”
The insult landed with absolute precision. Around us, several women lowered their glasses to hide their smirks.
I turned to Brad, waiting for him to shut her down. Waiting for him to tell her that my business was mine, that I was his future wife, and that she was out of line.
May you like
Instead, Brad looked around at the gathering onlookers, swallowed hard, and gave me a disappointed look.
“Kate, please,” Brad said quietly, his voice laced with patronizing disapproval. “Vanessa’s had a bit too much to drink tonight. Just let it go. You’re embarrassing us.”
