Chapter 8 - THE KICK

“Say it again,” Vanessa whispered. Naomi looked around. Phones were already rising. “Ms.

Sterling, this is not the place.” Vanessa laughed. “You don’t get to tell me what place this is.” Ethan moved toward them. “Vanessa.” “Stay out of it.” She turned back to Naomi. “You serve people who matter.” Still nothing.

“You wear a uniform because nobody would notice you otherwise.” Naomi quietly answered, “Are you finished?” That was the sentence Vanessa could not survive. She kicked. Her heel struck toward Naomi’s hip. Naomi moved instinctively.

Everything stopped. The quartet. The conversations. Even the servers.

Vanessa stared at her. Balance. Distance. Control.

She did not twist the ankle. She did not throw Vanessa. “Please don’t make me take this any further.” Vanessa’s face went red. “Let go!” Naomi released her.

Then Vanessa swung. Naomi caught her wrist. “Vanessa!” “She attacked me!” “No,” three voices said at once. A guest near the front had recorded the entire thing.

Vanessa looked around and realized something terrible. For the first time in her life, the room was not waiting to agree with her. She yanked her hand away. He stood beside the staircase, staring at her with open disgust.

“Grandfather,” Ethan said. Richard ignored him. He looked at Vanessa. “You will leave this house.” Vanessa laughed once.

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“Immediately.” She pointed at Naomi. “Because of her?” “No.” Richard’s voice carried across the ballroom. “Because I finally saw you clearly.” Vanessa’s eyes widened. Then she turned to Ethan.

“Tell him.” Ethan stared at her. And in front of three hundred people, he removed the engagement ring box from his pocket. “I was going to wait until tomorrow.” Vanessa’s breathing stopped. “But I’m not marrying you.”