Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WITHOUT A MASK
A year after their wedding, Adelaide attended a charity gala with Mateo.
This time, she wore her scar uncovered.
She wore her glasses.
She wore a black dress that fit her perfectly.
And when a reporter asked Mateo who the woman beside him was, he answered without hesitation.
“My wife.”
Not the Jones heiress.
Not the ugly daughter.
Not the damaged girl.
His wife.
Inside the ballroom, Chloe appeared unexpectedly.
She looked smaller than Adelaide remembered.
“Can we talk?”
Adelaide nodded.
Chloe stared at her.
“I was jealous.”
Adelaide said nothing.
“You were always smarter.”
“That isn't an excuse.”
“I know.”
Chloe's eyes filled.
“When you were younger, Dad praised you for your grades. Mom hated that. She said you made the rest of us look stupid.”
Adelaide felt something loosen inside her.
Not forgiveness.
Understanding.
Chloe whispered, “I shouldn't have called you ugly.”
“No.”
“I know that now.”
Adelaide looked at her sister.
“You were beautiful.”
Chloe blinked.
“But you were cruel.”
The words landed softly.
And somehow that was worse than anger.
Chloe nodded.
“I deserved that.”
She walked away.
Mateo approached.
“You okay?”
Adelaide nodded.
“Yes.”
He glanced toward Chloe.
“Do you want her removed?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm tired of needing people removed before I can breathe.”
Mateo smiled.
“That sounds like progress.”
She slipped her hand into his.
May you like
“It is.”
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