Chapter 9 - THE SLAP

Vanessa looked at Ethan as if he had spoken another language. “You’re joking.” “No.” “You’re ending our engagement here?” “I’m ending it because of what you’ve become.” “What I’ve become?” Her voice rose. “You humiliated a member of my family’s staff in front of three hundred people.” “She is why you’re doing this!” “No.” Ethan stepped closer. “You are.” Vanessa slapped him.

The ballroom erupted. Ethan did not move. Vanessa’s hand shook. Then she turned toward Naomi.

“You.” Naomi stepped back. “Don’t.” Vanessa lunged anyway. This time she grabbed Naomi’s hair. Naomi reacted.

One hand trapped Vanessa’s wrist. A quick pivot. Vanessa ended up bent forward against a table, unable to move without hurting herself. No punch.

No dramatic throw. Just complete control. “I told you to stop.” Vanessa struggled. “Get off me!” “Stop fighting.” Security rushed over.

Naomi released her immediately. Vanessa spun around. “I want her arrested!” A Boston police captain attending the party stepped forward. “I saw what happened.” Vanessa stared.

“So did about three hundred witnesses.” Her face collapsed. Celeste pushed through the crowd. “Vanessa, come with me.” “No!” Her voice cracked. “This is my engagement party!” Ethan looked at her.

“Not anymore.” That hurt more than anything else. Not quietly. Not gracefully. She screamed at Ethan, Richard, Naomi, the guests.

Then security escorted her toward the entrance. As she passed Naomi, she whispered, “You think this is over?” Naomi met her eyes. “I hope it is.” Vanessa smiled through tears. The front door was open.

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Inside, every drawer had been pulled out. Her clothes were scattered across the floor. And on her bed sat the one thing that made her stop breathing. A photograph from Philadelphia.

The seventeen-year-old girl Naomi had once protected. Across the picture, someone had written in red marker: YOU FAILED HER ONCE. DON’T FAIL AGAIN.