Chapter 10 - The Public Stage
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I stepped past him into the carpeted hallway, heading straight back toward the grand ballroom doors.
Derek’s hand shot out again, wrapping tightly around my right wrist, twisting it back toward his body.
“Where do you think you’re going without me?” he hissed, leaning down into my face.
This time, I didn't wince. I didn't try to pull away. I didn't flinch from his breath.
I wanted his grip on my arm. I wanted every single person in that hallway and ballroom to see the bruise he was creating.
“Back to our guests, Derek,” I said, looking him straight in the eyes.
“To finish the reception.”
His expression softened slightly, a wave of arrogant relief washing over his feature. He let go of my wrist, adjusting his silver cufflinks with a self-satisfied chuckle. He genuinely believed his threat through the door had broken my spirit.
Patricia let out a condescending sigh behind us.
“That’s much better. A good wife knows when to stop making a scene.”
We re-entered the grand ballroom side by side.
Derek walked with his head held high, his chest puffed out like a victorious king leading his captive back to the dais.
I walked straight past the head table, picked up the main wireless microphone from the DJ’s podium, and stepped into the center of the polished hardwood dance floor.
The DJ immediately faded the background jazz music into total silence.
Two hundred wealthy, powerful, and influential faces turned away from their dinner plates to look directly at me.
Derek casually dropped into his plush velvet chair at the head table, leaning back with a smug smirk, lifting his champagne glass toward me.
“Make it quick, Claire,” he called out casually, loud enough for the front tables to laugh.
May you like
I held the microphone steadily in my right hand, looking around the massive room.
“Actually,” I said, my voice echoing crisp and clear through the room’s high-end sound system, “I have one final wedding announcement to make.”
