Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 83

Halfway through the gala, Hester got up to use the restroom. At the sink, she turned on the faucet, the rushing water masking the sound of high heels slowly clicking up behind her.

Her expression remained totally impassive. She already knew exactly who it was.

"Hester, darling," Melody's sickeningly fake, overly sweet voice echoed harshly against the tiled walls.

That sugary tone made Hester's stomach churn. She lifted her eyes, meeting Melody's gaze in the vanity mirror.

Melody flashed her a smirk, her provocation entirely unconcealed.

Hester's eyes remained cold. She reached out, shut off the water, and pulled a paper towel from the dispenser to dry her hands.

Turning around, she tossed the towel into the trash can, looked Melody dead in the eye, and let out a chilling laugh. "Did that slap at the office not teach you a lesson?"

Melody's smug smile froze, and she instinctively took a step back.

Hester had taken self-defense classes since she was a teenager. Even though her physical strength had waned since her miscarriage, the force behind her slap the other day was no joke! At a high-profile event like this, Melody had no intention of getting hit. She had only followed Hester in to gloat and ruin her night.

Remembering her true purpose, Melody dropped the act and triumphantly raised her right hand.

On her ring finger sat a massive diamond rock, catching the bathroom lights and sparkling blindingly.

"See this? Julian had this custom-made for me by a world-renowned jewelry designer. It's a one-of-a-kind piece. Take a good look—isn't it bigger than the engagement ring Julian gave you?"

Hester stared at the diamond, her eyes flashing with a dangerous frost. "Melody, I feel the need to remind you of a legal fact. Julian and I haven't finalized our divorce yet."

Melody sneered dismissively. "So what?"

Hester casually inspected the diamond ring in her hand. She treated Melody's screeching like the barking of a rabid dog.

He was a cheating bastard—she didn't want him anymore, so why the hell would she care if he loved her or not?

She shifted her gaze from the diamond back to Melody's face, her voice dripping with absolute authority. "Melody Monroe, remember this. The next time you see me, turn the other way. Otherwise, I will beat you down every single time our paths cross."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out.

Melody clutched her twisted ankle, her flawlessly made-up face contorted into a mask of pure, unadulterated rage and jealousy.

"Hester Carrington! I hate you! Why didn't you just die?! You should have died five years ago with those two short-lived little brats of yours! If you were dead, no one would be fighting me for Julian! You deserve to die!"