The Betrayal
The room fell silent as Vanessa tapped her champagne glass, the sound sharp and commanding. All eyes were on her as she descended a few steps, her phone held up like a prize.
“I wasn’t going to share this,” she began, her voice dripping with false regret. “But I think it’s important for all of us to really know the people we’re dealing with.”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd, and I froze, my chest tightening. I caught Logan’s gaze across the room, his brow furrowed as he took a step forward. Vanessa’s eyes flicked to me, her smile widening.
“Let’s talk about Emma,” she said, her tone saccharine. “You all know her as the shy, quiet girl, right? The one who somehow landed Logan Reyes? Well, I’ve got proof that maybe she’s not as sweet and innocent as she seems.”
My heart sank as she unlocked her phone and began scrolling. The crowd pressed in, their curiosity palpable. Before I could react, Vanessa started reading aloud.
Emma: I can still feel your hands on me. I can’t stop thinking about the way you touched me, the way you made me feel.
Laughter erupted, sharp and cruel. My face burned as I stood rooted in place, unable to move or even breathe. Vanessa’s voice rang out again, dripping with mockery.
Emma: I’ve never felt like this before. It’s terrifying, but I think I want more. I think I want all of you.
The jeers grew louder, mixed with gasps and murmurs of disbelief. My chest felt like it was collapsing in on itself, my heart hammering in my ears. I wanted to disappear, to wake up from this nightmare.
“Stop it!” someone shouted, but Vanessa didn’t flinch. She scrolled to another message, her grin widening.
Emma: I’m scared I’m not enough for you. That I’ll never be enough. But when you’re with me, I forget all of that. You make me forget everything.
The crowd erupted again, the laughter cutting through me like knives. My vision blurred as I blinked back tears, desperately searching for Logan. He was standing at the edge of the room, his expression horrified. But he didn’t move. He didn’t stop her.
The betrayal hit me like a freight train. My legs moved before I could think, carrying me toward the door as Vanessa’s voice followed me.
“Guess she’s not so shy after all!” she called, her laugh echoing behind me.
