Chapter 2

Nadia's POV

"Nadia? Oh wow, you came!"

Isla looked at me with delighted surprise.

Before I could pull away, she'd already grabbed my wrist and dragged me back into the crowd.

She clapped her hands, the sharp sound cutting through the jazz music. Everyone turned to look.

"Look who's here!" Isla looped her arm through mine, all sweetness and light. "Tonight's special guest—Nadia!"

The noisy crowd went quiet. Eyes landed on me—curious, suspicious, hungry for drama. Everyone here knew about the lawsuit six months ago.

"I know what you're all thinking." Isla shot me that sweet smile of hers. "That equipment accident—God, the media totally blew it out of proportion. But Nadia and I actually settled things privately ages ago. Isn't that right, hon?"

Her nails dug deep into my right hand, right where the stitches had come out a few weeks ago. Shit!

Then she turned to Mia with a playful grin. "Honestly though, it was kind of Mia's fault. If she hadn't stirred things up in the media for me, it never would've gotten that crazy. I gave her such a hard time about it."

Mia couldn't meet my eyes. She forced out a laugh. "Yeah, well... thank God that's all behind us now. Good to see you, Nadia."

Good to see you.

I stared at this woman who'd been sprawled on my couch last month, eating all my pizza, telling me I was her best friend in the whole damn world. It felt like someone had punched me in the gut.

"Of course." Isla's gaze skipped right over me. "And I have Owen to thank too. My college bestie. He's the one who mediated everything and got me that settlement."

Owen shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes.

My jaw clenched so hard my teeth ached.

Of course. Of fucking course.

Owen's mystery girl—the one he'd pined after all through college—was Isla. Everything made sense now, didn't it? Why he was willing to throw me under the bus. Why he'd sacrificed his own sister without a second thought.

I stared at the three of them, rage and grief churning in my stomach.

Isla's voice cut through my thoughts. "And finally," she said, pulling Reid close and pressing her cheek against his shoulder, "I want to introduce everyone to the most important person here tonight—my husband—"

The word hit me like a freight train.

"Your husband?" I let out a sharp laugh, stepping toward them. "Oh, this is RICH."

"Nadia, don't do this here—" Reid's voice dropped to a warning.

I ignored him completely, turning to Isla with a cold smile. "Because this man right here? We've been together for FIVE YEARS. The wedding's this Saturday."

Gasps rippled through the room.

Isla's smile froze on her face. "What are you—I don't understand—"

"Don't believe me?" I cut her off, pointing up at the ceiling. "This mansion? He gave it to me when he proposed. Six months ago he said his company needed cash, tricked me into signing over the deed. Guess he gave it to YOU instead, huh?"

Reid's expression hardened. "Nadia! What the FUCK is wrong with you?!"

"Wrong with me?" I whipped around to face him. "Want me to tell everyone about those Roman numerals tattooed on your ribs? My birthday, RIGHT?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. He said nothing.

"Or—" I jabbed a finger at the platinum pin on his collar. "That. I spent three months hand-carving it for you. You loved it SO much, didn't you?"

Each word landed like a hammer.

Isla's hand dropped from Reid's arm. Her eyes welled up, voice trembling. "Reid, please, tell me she's lying—"

"She IS lying!" Mia practically threw herself in front of Isla. "Nadia, ENOUGH already! Jesus, stop making a scene! You lost Reid! He loves Isla. He ALWAYS has!"

"She's right." Owen stepped forward, his face twisted with disgust. "Nadia, look at yourself. Paranoid, oversensitive, completely unhinged. If I were Reid, I couldn't stand you either."

"So you all just helped him lie to me?" I stared at them in disbelief. "You didn't give a SHIT about hurting me?!"

Mia's eyes flickered. "We kept it from you to PROTECT you! But now—God, look what you're doing!"

Owen let out a harsh laugh. "Well, congrats, now you know. Deal with it, Nadia. Isla almost DIED giving Reid a baby. You can throw whatever tantrum you want—it doesn't change the fact that THEY'RE the family here!"

I looked at these three people I would've once done anything to protect. They stood there like a wall, shielding another woman, throwing all the blame at me.

The rage I'd been holding back for so long exploded in my chest.

"Almost died?" I laughed bitterly. "Well, that's what homewreckers deserve—"

Reid moved so fast I didn't see it coming. The crack of his palm against my face echoed through the room.

My head snapped to the side. My cheek burned. Blood filled my mouth.

"Don't you DARE—" Reid shook out his hand, breathing hard. "Isla's not a homewrecker. We got married a YEAR ago!"